How to Sell My House: Answers to the 14 Most-Googled Questions

Search Google for “how to sell my house” and the same questions come up every time. Here are straight answers from Property Solution Services, a local cash home buyer in Plantation, FL that has been buying houses across Broward and Miami-Dade since 2016. Where a traditional sale is the better choice, we say so.

What is the first thing to do when selling a house?

Figure out what you owe and what the house is worth today. Pull your mortgage payoff amount, check for any liens, HOA balances or open permits, and look at what similar homes nearby actually sold for in the last few months, not what they were listed for. That tells you roughly what you would walk away with. Then decide how much time, money and work you are willing to put in, because that decides whether listing with an agent, selling it yourself, or selling to a cash buyer makes the most sense.

How do I sell my house fast?

The fastest sale is to a buyer who does not need a mortgage and does not need the house fixed first. A direct cash buyer like Property Solution Services can make an offer within 24 hours of seeing the property details and close in as little as 7 days, because there is no lender, appraisal or repair negotiation. Listing with an agent can also be quick if the house is in good shape and priced right, but you should still plan on 30 to 60 days from listing to closing in South Florida.

What is the most profitable way to sell my house?

If the house is in good condition and you are not in a hurry, listing it on the open market with a good agent usually brings the highest sale price. The trade-off is commissions, seller closing costs, repairs, staging, showings and the risk that the buyer’s financing falls through. If the house needs work, the math changes: repair costs, holding costs and months of carrying the mortgage can eat most of the difference. Run both numbers side by side before you decide.

How much does it cost to sell a house?

In Florida, plan on roughly 6 to 10 percent of the sale price when you list with an agent. That covers the listing and buyer agent commissions, the documentary stamp tax on the deed (70 cents per $100 in most of Florida, 60 cents in Miami-Dade), title and settlement fees, and any repairs or credits the buyer asks for. On a $400,000 house that is $24,000 to $40,000. When you sell to Property Solution Services there are no commissions and we pay all normal closing costs, so the offer is what you receive minus your mortgage payoff.

What should I not fix before selling my house?

Do not spend money on big-ticket items you will not get back: a full kitchen or bathroom remodel, new flooring throughout, a pool resurfacing or a roof replacement done only for the sale. Buyers rarely pay dollar for dollar for those. Cosmetic fixes like paint, cleaning and landscaping are cheap and help. If the house needs major work, it is often better to sell it as-is to a buyer who will do the repairs after closing than to finance the repairs yourself.

What devalues a house the most?

Roof and water problems top the list in South Florida, followed by foundation or structural issues, mold, outdated electrical or plumbing, unpermitted additions, open code violations, and termite damage. Insurance is a big factor too: a house that cannot get a standard homeowner’s policy because of an old roof is hard for a financed buyer to purchase at all. Location issues like flooding history also matter and cannot be fixed.

How do I sell my house without a realtor?

You have two main options. You can sell it yourself (for sale by owner): price it, market it, handle showings, negotiate, and hire a title company and a real estate attorney to handle the contract and closing. Or you can sell directly to a cash home buyer, which skips marketing and showings entirely. With Property Solution Services you tell us about the house, we make a written offer, and a licensed title company handles the closing. There are no commissions either way, but the direct sale is far less work.

How much do you lose when you sell your house for cash?

A cash offer from an investor is typically below what a move-in-ready house would bring on the open market, because the buyer takes on the repairs, the holding costs and the risk. How much lower depends on the condition of the house. What you do not pay is the 6 to 10 percent in commissions and closing costs, the repair bills, and the months of mortgage, taxes and insurance while you wait. For a house that needs work, the net difference is often much smaller than people expect. Ask for the offer and compare it to your realistic net from listing.

I want to sell my house urgently. What are my options?

If you need to sell in days rather than months, a direct cash sale is usually the only realistic route. Property Solution Services can make an offer within 24 hours and close in as little as 7 days, or on a later date you choose. If you are facing foreclosure, contact us before the sale date; there is often still time to sell and keep your equity. If you are relocating, we can close remotely with a mobile notary so you do not have to come back.

Who do I talk to about selling my house?

That depends on the route. For a traditional listing, interview two or three local real estate agents. For a for-sale-by-owner deal, a real estate attorney and a title company. For a direct sale, talk to a local cash buyer who will actually look at your property and put an offer in writing. Be careful with national websites that promise instant offers; many just sell your information to other investors. Property Solution Services is a local Plantation company and you can call or text us directly at (954) 693-9333.

Can I sell my house if I still owe money on it?

Yes. Most sellers still have a mortgage. At closing, the title company pays off your loan from the sale proceeds and you receive the difference. The same goes for a home equity loan, a HELOC, or a lien, as long as the sale price covers what is owed. If you owe more than the house is worth, you would need the lender to agree to a short sale, which we can help you think through.

How long does it take to sell a house?

With an agent in South Florida, expect 30 to 90 days on the market plus another 30 to 45 days to close once you have a financed buyer, so three to four months is typical. A cash sale can close in 7 to 14 days because there is no lender, appraisal or repair contingency. If the house is in probate or has title problems, add the time it takes to clear those, whichever way you sell.

How do I sell my house as-is?

Selling as-is means the buyer takes the house in its current condition and you are not making repairs. You still have to disclose known problems under Florida law. Financed buyers and their lenders often will not accept an as-is house that needs major work, so as-is sales usually go to cash buyers. Property Solution Services buys houses as-is throughout Broward and Miami-Dade, including homes with code violations, storm damage, mold, tenants, or years of deferred maintenance.

How is a cash offer calculated?

We start with what the house would sell for after it is repaired and updated, based on recent nearby sales. From that we subtract the cost of the repairs, the costs we carry while we own it (taxes, insurance, utilities, financing), the costs to sell it later, and a margin for the risk. What is left is the offer. We walk every seller through those numbers, and there is no obligation to accept.

Ready to see what your house is worth to a cash buyer?

Call or text (954) 693-9333, or fill out the form on this page. You get a written, no-obligation cash offer within 24 hours and you choose the closing date.