Selling your house for cash can be one of the simplest ways to move on from a property — no showings, no repairs, no waiting on a buyer’s mortgage. But “cash buyer” can describe a lot of different companies and individuals, and they don’t all work the same way.

The best protection you have is asking good questions before you sign anything. A legitimate buyer will answer every one of them clearly and without hesitation.

Below are the questions we’d want answered if we were in your shoes. For each one, we’ve explained why it matters, what a good answer sounds like, and how we answer it at Bay Area House Buyers. We’ve also included an honest section on when a cash sale isn’t your best option — because sometimes it isn’t.

Questions About the Buyer

1. Are you the actual buyer, or will you assign the contract to someone else?

Why it matters: Some companies put a home under contract and then sell (“assign”) that contract to a different investor for a fee. That isn’t illegal, but it means the person you’re negotiating with may not be the person who actually buys your home — and if they can’t find another buyer, the deal can fall apart.

What a good answer sounds like: A direct yes or no, and a plain explanation of who will be on the closing documents.

How we answer it: We’re the actual buyer. We close on the property ourselves and don’t assign your contract to someone else. What we do with the home after closing — renovate it, rebuild, or resell it — is our business risk, not yours.

2. Can you show proof of funds?

Why it matters: A cash offer is only as good as the cash behind it. Proof of funds — typically a recent bank statement or a letter from a lender — shows the buyer can actually close.

What a good answer sounds like: “Yes, here it is,” or “we’ll provide it with the offer.”

How we answer it: We’re happy to provide proof of funds with our offer. Our purchases are funded through our own capital together with an established private lender that finances investment purchases.

3. How long have you been buying houses, and can I read reviews from past sellers?

Why it matters: Experience tells you a buyer has handled the problems that come up in real transactions — title issues, liens, estates, tenants — and closed anyway. Reviews tell you how they treated people along the way.

What a good answer sounds like: Specific numbers and real reviews you can check yourself.

How we answer it: We’ve been buying homes since 2003 — 23 years — and have purchased more than 200 homes in California. You can read what past sellers have said on our Reviews page, and learn more about who we are on our About page.

Questions About the Offer

4. How did you arrive at this number?

Why it matters: Every cash offer is based on three things: what the home would be worth after repairs, what those repairs will cost, and what the buyer needs to make the purchase worthwhile. A buyer who can’t — or won’t — explain their math is asking you to trust them blindly.

What a good answer sounds like: A walkthrough of the comparable sales they used, the repairs they see, and how they got from one to the other.

How we answer it: We look at recent comparable sales in your neighborhood, estimate the cost of the work the property needs, and account for our holding and resale costs. We’ll walk you through that reasoning if you ask. You may not agree with every estimate — and that’s a fair conversation to have.

5. Is this offer firm, or can it change later?

Why it matters: Some buyers make an attractive offer to win the contract, then lower the price after an inspection. Knowing up front whether — and why — the price could change protects you from surprises.

What a good answer sounds like: A clear explanation of which conditions, if any, could affect the price.

How we answer it: We try to see the property and learn about known issues before we make an offer, so the number reflects what we already know. If something significant comes up that neither of us knew about — a major foundation or title problem, for example — we’ll talk it through with you openly. We won’t use small, expected findings as a reason to renegotiate.

6. Are there any fees, commissions, or closing costs I’ll pay?

Why it matters: A higher offer with thousands in fees can leave you with less than a lower offer with none. Always compare what you’ll actually walk away with.

What a good answer sounds like: A clear list of who pays what, in writing.

How we answer it: When you sell to us, you don’t pay a commission, and we cover the typical closing costs. We’ll show you in writing what you can expect to receive so there’s no guesswork.

Questions About the Contract

7. What contingencies are in the contract?

Why it matters: Contingencies are the conditions that let a buyer cancel — an inspection period, an appraisal, financing approval. Fewer contingencies generally means more certainty for you.

What a good answer sounds like: A plain-English list of every condition and how long it lasts.

How we answer it: Because we pay cash, there’s no mortgage financing contingency and no lender appraisal. We’ll explain any inspection or due-diligence period in the contract before you sign, so you know exactly what it covers.

8. Can you back out — and what happens to the deposit if you do?

Why it matters: If a buyer can walk away easily, your home is off the market while you carry the risk.

What a good answer sounds like: A clear explanation of when the buyer can cancel and when their deposit becomes non-refundable.

How we answer it: We’ll go through the cancellation terms with you line by line. If anything is unclear, ask us — or have an attorney or trusted advisor review the contract. We encourage that.

9. Who holds the earnest money deposit?

Why it matters: The deposit should be held by a neutral third party, not the buyer.

What a good answer sounds like: “A licensed title or escrow company.”

How we answer it: Deposits and funds are handled through a licensed title or escrow company, and closing happens there as well.

Questions About Timing and the Property

10. How quickly can you close — and can I pick the date?

Why it matters: Speed is one of the main reasons people sell for cash, but flexibility matters just as much. You may need to close fast — or you may need extra time to move.

What a good answer sounds like: A realistic range, and a willingness to work around your schedule.

How we answer it: We typically make an offer within about 24 hours of seeing the property, and we can often close in as little as 7 days when title is clear. We’re just as happy to close later if you need more time. Every sale depends on title, the property, and your situation, so we’ll give you a realistic timeline for yours rather than a promise.

11. Do I need to repair, clean, or empty the house?

Why it matters: Repairs, cleanouts, and staging cost time and money you may not have.

What a good answer sounds like: “No — we buy as-is.”

How we answer it: We buy homes as-is. Original condition, fixer-uppers, fire damage, deferred maintenance — you don’t need to fix anything first. Take what you want and leave the rest.

12. Can you work with tenants, liens, probate, or other complications?

Why it matters: Many sellers who consider cash offers are dealing with something complicated. An experienced buyer should have handled it before.

What a good answer sounds like: Specific experience, not a vague “we handle everything.”

How we answer it: Over the years we’ve bought homes involving inherited property and probate, divorce, relocations, tenant-occupied rentals, and properties with significant damage. Every situation is different, so we’ll tell you honestly what’s involved in yours. You can see the types of situations we buy in.

How Our Process Works

If you reach out to us, here’s what to expect:

1. Tell us about the property. Call or fill out a short form. We’ll ask a few questions about the home and your goals.
2. We review it and make an offer. We typically come back with a cash offer within about 24 hours, and we’ll explain how we got there.
3. You decide. There’s no obligation and no pressure. If the offer works for you, you pick the closing date and we handle the paperwork through a licensed title company.

You can read the full details on our How It Works page.

When a Cash Sale May Not Be Your Best Option

A cash sale isn’t right for everyone, and we’d rather you know that before you call us.

A traditional listing with a good real estate agent may get you a higher price if:

• Your home is in good, move-in-ready condition. Retail buyers typically pay the most for homes that need little work.
• You aren’t in a hurry. If you can wait for the right buyer and handle showings, the open market may reward that patience.
• Getting the highest possible price is your top priority — more than speed, certainty, or convenience.

A cash sale tends to make the most sense when the home needs significant work, when timing or certainty matters more than squeezing out every dollar, or when a situation — an estate, a move, a difficult rental — makes a traditional sale harder.

Many sellers get a cash offer and talk to an agent, then compare the two. That’s a smart way to decide. Our Cash Offer vs. Listing guide walks through the trade-offs in more detail.

Red Flags to Watch For

Whoever you talk to, these are worth pausing on:

• No proof of funds when you ask for it.
• Pressure to sign quickly — “this offer expires today.”
• An offer that’s hard to explain, or a price that comes down later without a clear reason.
• Upfront fees you’re asked to pay before closing.
• Vague answers about who the actual buyer is or what the contract says.
• No independent title or escrow company handling the funds.

A good buyer welcomes questions. If someone doesn’t, that tells you something.

Not sure whether cash buyers can be trusted at all? Here’s an honest look at whether cash home buyers are legit — including the scams to avoid and how to verify any buyer in California.

Where We Buy

We buy houses throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and across California, including Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and San Francisco counties. See the full list on our Locations We Buy In page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Get a Free, No-Obligation Cash Offer

If you’re weighing your options, a cash offer can give you a real number to compare against listing or doing nothing at all. There’s no cost, no obligation, and no pressure — just an honest offer and answers to your questions.

Call Lawrence at (510) 824-8710, or request your free cash offer online.