5 Ways to Secure the Best Offer When Selling Your Home

5 Ways to Secure the Best Offer When Selling Your Home

Selling a home comes with a lot of decisions, but one matters more than the rest: which offer to accept. The highest number on paper isn't always the best deal — and knowing the difference can mean thousands of dollars and weeks of stress saved.

This guide walks through five strategies for securing a strong offer, from requesting instant cash offers to comparing multiple buyers, plus how to evaluate what makes an offer truly worth accepting.

What makes a great home sale offer

The best offer on your home isn't always the highest number. A strong offer combines a competitive price with terms that make the sale likely to close. In competitive markets, buyers often offer 100% to 110% of the asking price. But price alone doesn't tell the whole story.

What really matters is certainty. An offer $15,000 above asking doesn't help if the buyer's mortgage falls through three weeks before closing. That's why experienced sellers look at four factors together:

• Price: The dollar amount a buyer puts forward

• Contingencies: Conditions that could delay or cancel the sale, like inspections or financing approval

• Timeline: When the buyer can close and when you can move out

• Certainty: How likely the deal is to actually complete

A cash offer with no financing contingency, for instance, often beats a higher offer from a buyer still waiting on mortgage approval, especially considering 98% of buyers include contingencies in their offers. The buyer who can close in two weeks with no strings attached might be worth more to you than one offering $10,000 extra but needing 60 days and multiple inspections.

Five strategies to get the best offer on your home

1. Request a cash offer from an iBuyer

An iBuyer is a company that uses technology to make instant cash offers on homes. The term comes from "instant buyer," and companies like Opendoor pioneered this approach starting in 2014.

Here's how it works: you enter your address online, answer a few questions about your home, and receive a cash offer within 24 to 48 hours. There's no waiting for a buyer to come along, no open houses, and no wondering whether financing will fall through.

The trade-off is straightforward. Cash offers typically come in slightly below what you might get on the open market, and you'll pay a service fee. But for sellers who value speed and certainty over squeezing out every last dollar, the math often works out. You skip months of showings, avoid repair negotiations, and know exactly what you're getting from day one.

Get a free, no-obligation cash offer from Opendoor

2. List your home with a real estate agent

Working with an agent remains the most common way to sell a home. Agents bring local market knowledge, handle negotiations, and list your property on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), which exposes it to the widest pool of buyers.

This path often produces the highest sale price, especially in hot markets where multiple buyers compete. The downside? It takes time. Finding a buyer typically takes 47 to 62 days, and closing adds another month or more. You'll also pay agent commissions, which traditionally run 5% to 6% of the sale price.

If your priority is maximizing price and you have flexibility on timing, an agent-assisted sale can be a strong fit. Just be prepared for showings, staging, and the possibility that deals fall through.

3. Compare offers from multiple buyers

You don't have to accept the first offer that comes in. In fact, comparing multiple offers gives you leverage and helps you understand what your home is actually worth to different buyers.

When evaluating offers side by side, look beyond the headline price:

Some sellers start by requesting a cash offer to establish a baseline. Then they explore the open market to see if traditional buyers will pay more. This approach keeps options open without committing to a single path too early.

4. Prepare your home to attract stronger offers

A little preparation can influence the offers you receive, especially from traditional buyers who picture themselves living in your space. You don't need a full renovation. Small improvements often make the biggest difference.

Start with first impressions. Declutter living areas, touch up paint in high-traffic rooms, and fix obvious issues like leaky faucets or broken light fixtures. Curb appeal matters too. A tidy yard and clean entryway signal that the home has been well maintained.

That said, be careful about over-investing. Major renovations rarely return their full cost at sale. Sometimes the smarter move is to sell as-is and let the buyer make updates to their own taste. Cash buyers, in particular, often purchase homes in any condition.

5. Time your sale for maximum value

Timing can affect the offers you receive, though maybe not as much as you'd expect. Spring and early summer traditionally see more buyer activity, which can mean more competition for your home, with sellers listing in late May earning an additional 1.6% on average.

Yet personal timing often matters more than seasonal trends. If you're relocating for work, managing an inheritance, or navigating a divorce, waiting for perfect market conditions might not be realistic. Life doesn't always align with real estate cycles.

One advantage of cash offers: they provide flexibility regardless of the season. You can often choose your closing date, whether that's two weeks out or two months, and avoid the uncertainty of waiting for the right buyer.

How cash home buyer companies work

Cash home buyer companies follow a fairly predictable process. While details vary by company, here's what to expect:

First, you submit your home's address and basic information online or by phone. This usually takes about 15 minutes. Next, the company evaluates your home using data on comparable recent sales in your area and sends you a cash offer, sometimes within minutes.

After that, a representative may visit your property or request photos to verify its condition. If everything checks out, you receive a final offer. Accept it, and you choose your closing date. The whole process often wraps up in one to three weeks.

The speed comes from eliminating the usual bottlenecks: no mortgage approval process, no buyer inspections that lead to renegotiations, and no chain of contingencies that might cause delays.

Types of companies that buy houses for cash

Not all cash buyers operate the same way. Knowing the differences helps you set realistic expectations.

iBuyers

Companies like Opendoor use algorithms and market data to generate offers. They typically buy homes in reasonable condition and offer prices closer to fair market value than traditional investors. Service fees usually run around 5%.

House-flipping investors

Flippers buy homes below market value, renovate them, and resell for profit. Expect lower offers because they factor in repair costs and their profit margin. They're often interested in homes that need significant work.

Buy-and-hold investors

Investors who purchase properties to rent out long-term. They may offer flexibility on closing terms and timelines, though their offers typically fall below market value.

"We Buy Houses" franchises

Local or franchise operations advertising quick closes. They usually present the lowest offers in exchange for maximum speed and convenience, sometimes closing in as little as seven days.

How much do cash home buyers pay

Cash offers typically come in below what you might receive on the open market. That's the trade-off for speed, certainty, and convenience.

Traditional investors and "We Buy Houses" companies often offer 50% to 70% of a home's after-repair value. iBuyers like Opendoor generally offer 85% to 95% of market value, though you'll pay a service fee.

The gap between a cash offer and a traditional sale varies based on your home's condition, location, and local market. Requesting offers from multiple sources helps you understand your options. A cash offer can serve as a useful baseline even if you ultimately decide to list traditionally.

Pros and cons of cash offers vs. traditional sales

Advantages of cash offers

Cash offers come with several benefits worth considering:

• Speed: Close in days or weeks instead of months

• Certainty: No financing contingencies that could cause deals to collapse

• Convenience: Skip showings, open houses, and staging

• Flexibility: Choose your own closing date and move-out timeline

• As-is sales: Sell without making repairs or updates

Disadvantages of cash offers

On the other hand, cash offers have limitations:

• Potentially lower price: You may receive less than full market value

• Less negotiation room: Offers are often take-it-or-leave-it

• Fewer emotional buyers: Traditional buyers sometimes pay a premium for a home they love

The right choice depends on your priorities. If certainty and speed matter most, cash offers provide clear advantages. If maximizing price is your primary goal and you have time to wait, a traditional listing might make more sense.

How to spot and avoid cash home buyer scams

Most cash home buyer companies operate legitimately, but scams do exist. Watch for warning signs:

• Pressure tactics: Demands for immediate decisions without time to review

• Upfront fees: Legitimate buyers never charge sellers fees before closing

• No proof of funds: Reputable buyers readily provide verification of cash availability

• Unclear contracts: Vague terms, missing details, or reluctance to answer questions

• No online presence: Lack of reviews, website, or verifiable business history

Before accepting any offer, research the company's reputation. Check reviews on Google and the Better Business Bureau. Consider having a real estate attorney review the contract, especially for large transactions.

Are cash home buyer companies legitimate

Yes. Many well-established companies specialize in buying homes for cash, and it's a common practice across the country. The key is doing your homework before accepting an offer.

Verify the company is registered to do business in your state. Request references from recent sellers if possible. And always confirm proof of funds. Any reputable buyer can demonstrate they have the cash available to complete the purchase.

Choosing the right offer for your move

The best offer depends on what matters most to you. Are you prioritizing speed because of a job relocation? Certainty because you've already found your next home? Or maximum price because you have time to wait?

Many sellers find value in exploring multiple paths at once. Request a cash offer to understand your baseline, then decide whether the potential upside of a traditional listing is worth the additional time and uncertainty.

Whatever you choose, the goal is the same: moving forward to your next chapter with confidence and clarity.

Get a free, no-obligation cash offer from Opendoor