Frequently Asked Questions
Maybe you have a few questions. That’s okay; most people do. Here is a quick collection of some of the questions people ask us, along with our answers. If you still have a question, don’t hesitate to contact us anytime. We would be happy to answer it for you.
Q: Will you be listing my house on the MLS or actually buying it?
A: Great question. We’re not agents, and we don’t list houses. Here at HomeTown HomeBuyers, we are professional home buyers: We buy houses Lafayette that meet our purchasing criteria, and we don’t typically use bank financing so you don’t have to worry about our ability to close on a deal. After purchasing, we may repair the house and keep it for a rental, or depending upon the property, may resell it to another homeowner or investor.
Q: How are you different from a real estate agent?
A: Real estate agents evaluate recently sold comps, and list properties with the hope that someone will buy them at the price they are estimating. The buyers agent shows the properties to prospective buyers if there are any (the average time to sell a property in many markets right now is 4-6 months) and then takes a percentage of the sale price if they find a buyer. Oftentimes, the agent’s commission is 3 to 6% of the sale price of your house. If it’s a $200,000 house, you’ll pay between $6,000 to $12,000 in commissions alone
Agents provide a great service for those that can wait 4+ months to sell and who don’t mind giving up some of that sale price to pay for the commissions. But that’s where we’re different. We’re not agents, we’re home buyers. Our company buys the house directly from you. Since we pay with all cash and purchase the house from you, we can make a decision to buy your house within a couple of days (sometimes even the same day). Again, we make our living by taking the risk to buy the house with our own cash, repair the house, and market it ourselves to find a buyer.
Looking for this to be broken down further? Here’s a comparison chart to give an overview:
| Selling w/ A Lafayette Agent | SOLD To HomeTown HomeBuyers | |
|---|---|---|
| Commissions / Fees: | Up to 6%, paid by you, the seller + closing costs | None |
| Who Pays Closing Costs? | 2% on average is paid by you, the seller | We pay all costs. |
| Inspection & Financing Contingency*: | Yes, sales can fall through. | No Financing Contingency |
| Appraisal Needed: | Yes, the sale is often subject to appraisal. | No Appraisal Needed |
| Average Days Until Sold: | +/- 91 Days | We provide immediate cash offers. |
| Number of Showings: | It Depends | Typically – 1 (Just Us) |
| Closing Date: | 30-60+/- days after accepting the buyer’s offer | The date of YOUR CHOICE. |
| Who Pays For Repairs? | Negotiated during the inspection period | We pay for all repairs. |
Q: Do we close with a Title Company?
A: Yes, we use a 3rd Party Title Company. We will run title on the property to ensure the title clear and the deed can properly transfer after navigating any liens recorded against it.
Q: Do you pay fair prices for properties?
A: Many of the houses we purchase are below market value, as they are typically have deferred maintenance and are in need of some repair and or updating. We are looking to get a fair discount on a property, as there is typically a fair amount of work, holding costs, repairs, and fluctuation in the market that could vary.
In our experience, many sellers aren’t necessarily expecting a large “windfall” on the property. Instead, they appreciate that we can offer cash, we close very quickly (no waiting for financing), and no time, effort, or expense is required on your part to fix up the property or pay agent fees. It takes a burden of off a lot of sellers.
If that’s what you’re looking for and you see the value in getting your house sold fast, let’s see if we can come to a win-win price that works for both parties. Our no-obligation pricing commitment means that you don’t have to move forward with the offer we give… but it’s good to know what we’re offering!
DOWNLOAD our free guide that walks you through the Pros and Cons (plus the cost and timeline) of selling your house to a real estate investor versus the pros, cons, and costs of the other two alternatives – listing with an agent or selling it yourself.
Q: How do you determine the price to offer on my house?
A: Great question, and we’re an open book. Our process is very transparent. We carefully assess the location of the property, required repairs to get it up to market standards, the current condition of the property, and the value of comparable houses recently sold in Lafayette, that match a similar bedroom, bathroom and square footage count, of which also has a similar build quality. By analyzing all these factors, we determine a fair price that aligns with market trends and meets your expectations as a homeowner.
Q: Are there any fees or commissions to work with you?
A: Experience the difference with us – when you sell your house directly to HomeTown HomeBuyers, there are NO fees or commissions involved, unlike traditional listing fees that can eat up to 6% of your sale price, plus additional closing costs, which can push this closer to 9 or 10 percent. We present you with a fair offer, and if it aligns with your needs, we handle the entire process without any hassles or costs. In fact, we may even cover the closing expenses! By selling to us, you eliminate the uncertainties and financial burdens associated with property ownership, often walking away with cash in hand and peace of mind.
Q: Is there any commitment when I provide my information?
A: You are under no obligation whatsoever. Once you share details about your property, we will evaluate the information, potentially schedule a call to delve deeper, and then provide you with a competitive all-cash offer. The decision to sell your house to us is entirely yours. Your choice matters, and we want you to do what’s right for you. If you’re not ready to move just yet, thats OK. We can work around your schedule and what works best for you!
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Learn The Pros and Cons Of Selling Your House To A Local Professional Home Buyer – Your FREE Guide:
Download our FREE Guide here and contact us anytime with questions or if you would like a no-hassle Situation Evaluation. Learn more about how we help Lafayette homeowners sell their unwanted properties for cash.
Get your FREE Guide and then give us a call at 765-237-9059. We would love to discuss what your home is worth and what we can offer to buy it with our Cash Offer Program.