How to Sell My House for Cash in Tampa
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Alexandra Lee Associate EditorClose
Alexandra Lee Associate EditorAlexandra is an associate editor of HomeLight.com. Previously, she served as a writer and social media manager at Santa Barbara Life & Style Magazine, in addition to interning at the nonprofit honors society Phi Beta Kappa. Alexandra holds a bachelor's degree in communication and global studies from UC Santa Barbara, and she has three years of experience reporting on topics including international travel, luxury properties, celebrity interviews, fine dining, and more.
If you’re planning to sell a house for cash in Tampa, chances are you’re aiming for a quick, straightforward sale. Cash transactions often allow you to bypass home preparations, skip cleaning and repairs, and close on your own timeline.
The three big questions on your mind might be:
- How do I sell a house for cash in Tampa?
- What does this convenience cost?
- How much more can I get for my Tampa house if I make repairs?
In this post, we’ll guide you through the two most common ways to receive an all-cash offer in Tampa, and how the offer amount may vary depending on who you sell to and whether you make repairs or sell as-is.
No staging, no open houses, no repairs. Request a cash offer from HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform and close in as little as 10 days. You can also receive and compare an estimate of what a top agent might be able to get for your house.
Compare Options: Investor Cash Offer vs. Top Agent
Options to sell my house for cash in Tampa
Homeowners typically have two main options to sell for cash: work directly with a house-buying company or investor, or hire a real estate agent who can help attract a cash offer from a traditional buyer. Each option can yield different levels of proceeds.
Before we get into the details, use the calculator below to get a quick estimate of how a cash offer in Tampa might compare depending on how you choose to sell.
As you can see, your cash offer will be significantly higher if your Tampa home is in good condition. However, not everyone has the time, resources, or desire to take on major repairs before moving. For homeowners dealing with a sudden life or job change, financial pressures, or the need to sell an inherited property from out of state, the speed and convenience of an all-cash offer can’t be beat.
Let’s look at what you can expect from both options to sell for cash in Tampa.
Option 1: Sell to a cash buyer company in Tampa
House-buying companies and investor groups specialize in purchasing homes for cash. Many of them buy properties in “as-is” condition, which means there’s no need to clean, make repairs, or stage your Tampa home before selling. They are commonly known as “We Buy Houses” companies.
Other house-buying companies that serve Tampa, known as iBuyers, only purchase homes in good condition or move-in-ready “turnkey properties.” The most well-known iBuyers are Opendoor and Offerpad, which pay higher cash offers but charge a fee of around 5% of the home’s price.
We Buy Houses companies in Tampa typically follow a similar streamlined process:
- You submit information about your Tampa property online or over the phone.
- They assess the home’s value using local market data and an on-site visit.
- You receive a no-obligation cash offer, often within 24 to 48 hours.
- If you accept, they can close in as little as 7 to 14 days.
Some Tampa cash buyers fix and flip homes, while others rent them out or hold them as investments. They typically aim to purchase below market value to allow room for profit.
Most We Buy Houses investors in Tampa follow the 70% rule of house flipping, meaning that the purchase price should not exceed 70% of a home’s after-repair value (ARV) minus the estimated cost of repairs. Our calculator above applies a formula to show a range of the 70% rule and an 80% guideline used by many rental property investors.
Keep in mind that these are general rules, and some Tampa cash-for-homes companies may offer more or less depending on the property’s condition and location.
»Learn more: 7 Top We Buy Houses for Cash Companies in Florida
Pros and cons of selling to a Tampa cash buyer company
| Pros | Cons |
| Speed: Close and have cash in hand within days, instead of months | Lower sale price: Offers from a cash buyer are typically below market value |
| No repairs required: Sell your Tampa home as-is, without completing significant repairs | No negotiation: Cash offers are typically firm, giving you little room to negotiate |
| Convenience: Skip the hassle of showings, open houses, or drawn-out negotiations | Less competition: By selling off-market, the home isn’t exposed to multiple buyers with competing offers |
| No fees or commissions: Most cash buyers cover the seller’s closing costs and eliminate commissions | Not suitable for all situations: An agent-assisted sale can have advantages in certain situations |
| Certainty: Without a lender involved, there’s less risk of a deal falling through | Unscrupulous buyers and scams: Not every cash buyer is trustworthy or reputable |
While Tampa has its share of reliable investors, it’s still wise to be cautious. Watch out for warning signs of a bad deal, like high-pressure tactics or companies with little to no online presence. Instead, prioritize companies with verified reviews, local market knowledge, and transparent communication.
»Learn more: We Buy Houses Pros and Cons: Make an Informed Decision
A better way to find trusted cash buyers in Tampa
HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform can connect you with the largest network of pre-vetted cash buyers in Tampa and throughout the country, helping you review offers without having to navigate the investor world alone.
Here is the 4-step Simple Sale process:
To start, you’ll enter a few basic details about your Tampa home and receive a no-obligation offer within 24 hours. If you choose to move forward, you can close in as few as 7 days or select your preferred closing date. Additionally, you’ll receive an expert estimate of what your home could sell for with a top Tampa real estate agent, so you can compare your options with ease.
Option 2: Attract a cash buyer with a top Tampa agent
Not all cash offers come from investors or companies. In Tampa’s competitive housing market, many individual buyers come prepared with cash, whether they’re downsizing, relocating after selling a home in New York, or looking for a second home to escape harsh winters in another state. A top Tampa real estate agent can help position your home to attract these buyers.
»Learn more: Why Hire a Real Estate Agent When You’re Selling or Buying
Pros and cons of selling with a top Tampa agent
| Pros | Cons |
| A higher sale price: Agents can increase your listing’s exposure to attract competing offers | Longer timeline: A traditional home sale in Tampa can take weeks or even months to close |
| Professional guidance: Agents handle the pricing, marketing, and negotiations for you | Prep work required: You may need to clean, stage, or repair the property before listing |
| Broad market access: By listing on the Tampa MLS, you’ll reach more qualified cash buyers | Showings and disruptions: Selling with an agent can involve more disruptions, such as open houses and walkthroughs |
| Reduced stress: Agents are well-versed in navigating complex tasks, saving you time and reducing uncertainty | Commission fees: You’ll need to account for agent commissions (a percentage of the sale price) when budgeting |
| Legal protection: A Tampa agent can guide you through Florida’s disclosures and federal fair housing laws | Uncertainty of sale: Working with an agent doesn’t guarantee a faster sale, and offers can still fall through |
»Learn more: Should I Sell to a Home Investor or List With an Agent?
The easy way to find top-rated Tampa agents
If you’re considering listing with an agent, HomeLight’s free Agent Match platform can connect you with Tampa’s top-performing agents based on real transaction data. We analyze over 27 million transactions and thousands of reviews to determine which agent is the right fit based on your needs.
Whether you’re aiming for a cash offer or want to weigh all your options, the right Tampa agent can help you make the most of your sale. For a no-obligation consultation with a trusted agent, tell us a little about your selling goals and timeline.
Which cash sale option is right for you?
Aiming for speed, simplicity, and a low-stress experience? Selling to a vetted Tampa cash buyer through HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform could be the right approach.
Willing to take more time and shoot for a higher sales price? If you’re open to putting in the work to prep your home for listing, working with a top Tampa agent may be a better choice.
When you request a Simple Sale offer, you’ll also get a professional estimate of what your Tampa home could sell for with a top agent, so you can confidently compare both options.
Still on the fence about selling a house for cash in Tampa? Use our Home Cash Offer Comparison Calculator above to get a sense of what your home might sell for, depending on how you choose to sell it. Then, request a no-obligation offer or consult with a trusted Tampa expert.
While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, the right tools and expert guidance can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Header Image Source: (Christopher Holmok / Unsplash)
At HomeLight, our vision is a world where every real estate transaction is simple, certain, and satisfying. Therefore, we promote strict editorial integrity in each of our posts.