It’s been said that selling your home can be more stressful than many other major life events. When you’re under duress and need to sell quickly, additional strain is added to the mix. Whether you’re facing financial challenges, dealing with a life change, or simply need to move on from a property, the process can feel overwhelming. At Gulf Coast Home Buyers, we’ll help you by exploring your options when selling your house in Fort Walton Beach. Whether you’re considering a quick cash sale, negotiating with your lender, or working with a real estate agent, we can guide you through each step, offering support and peace of mind during what can be a difficult time.
Listing Agent
Let’s explore selling your house in Fort Walton Beach through a professional real estate agent, which is the traditional method. Agents are paid based on a percentage of the sale price in addition to other possible fees they or their broker may also charge. Market conditions can impact your asking price in this demand-driven market.
You’ll need to invest in updates and repairs in preparation for showings while playing a waiting game until the right buyer comes along. Usually requiring inspections of the house, they may also require repairs prior to closing. Sadly, you could end up with a buyer that doesn’t qualify for the mortgage, after taking all of the steps to meet the qualifications from banks and waiting for the mortgage underwriting process and property inspection.
Cash Offers
Because professional buyers usually offer cash, you can expect a quick closing on your house in Fort Walton Beach. The sale is usually as-is, which speeds the process even further, saving you both time and money. This also alleviates you of the legal responsibilities associated with disclosure.
Professional buyers are taking higher risks, offer faster cash sales, and usually pay the closing costs. For these reasons, their offers are usually lower than properties sold as FSBO or listed on the MLS. Regrettably, there are less-than-honest buyers who may try to take advantage of time or financial constraints you reveal to them, so research carefully just who you’re working with. At Gulf Coast Home Buyers, we are dedicated to making offers to homeowners that are fair and well thought out. We aim to provide a transparent, trustworthy process, offering you peace of mind knowing that we prioritize your best interests and will work with you to find a solution that fits your needs.
For Sale By Owner
Selling a house in Fort Walton Beach on your own may sound appealing because you will be controlling everything. Professionals, such as real estate agents or auctioneers, charge fees for their services, cutting into your profits. Should you be experienced regarding legal issues where real estate advertisements and transactions are involved, you can save a great deal of money on the deal. However, it can be extremely costly and legally devastating to make an error on either advertising or how you handle all of the aspects of your sale with the buyer. Mistakes in contracts, disclosures, or the negotiation process can lead to lengthy legal battles, financial penalties, or even the deal falling through altogether. Without the guidance of a professional, you might overlook critical details that protect you and your property, putting your sale—and your peace of mind—at risk.
Short Sale
Depending on the circumstances you find yourself in, you may be able to negotiate a short sale with your lender. You will want to note that this is a very slow-moving process, which means that the lender has agreed to allow a sale for less than the remaining debt on the loan. It often requires a significant amount of paperwork, including financial documentation, hardship letters, and approval from both the lender and potential buyers. The process can take several months, and there is no guarantee that the lender will approve the short sale, as they must assess whether it is in their best interest. Additionally, a short sale can negatively impact your credit, though typically not as severely as a foreclosure.
Auction
Avoiding the headaches of showing your house is one of the favorable aspects of auctions. Additionally, these properties close quickly, selling as-is, so you won’t need to continue to pour time and money into repairs and upkeep of your house in Fort Walton Beach.
Keep in mind the usual fee for their service is a rather high 10 percent of the final purchase price. Because most auctions charge their fees to the buyer, lower bids are likely to be made in the attempt on the buyer’s part to pay a lower fee. Make sure you’re aware ahead of time if you’ll be responsible for their fee, which takes more away from your bottom line. Actually, realizing a sale of the property at auction isn’t guaranteed, there could low attendance or several properties up for auction at the same time, leading to lower bids
We’re happy to further explore all of the options for getting started now on selling your house in Fort Walton Beach. Just call Gulf Coast Home Buyers today at (850) 972-0550 or send us a message to learn more!