Cash vs Realtor Virginia: Key Differences
When selling your Virginia home, you face a critical choice: work with a realtor for a traditional sale or sell directly to a cash buyer. This guide examines both options to help Virginia homeowners make the best decision for their situation.
| Factor | Realtor Sale | Cash Sale |
| Timeline | 60-100 days (Virginia average) | 7-14 days |
| Closing Costs | 2-3% of sale price | Often $0 (buyer pays) |
| Realtor Commissions | 5-6% of sale price | $0 |
| Repairs Required | Typically yes (before listing or after inspection) | None (sold as-is) |
| Showings & Open Houses | Multiple (10-25 on average) | None (just one buyer visit) |
| Financing Contingencies | Yes (sale can fall through) | None (guaranteed cash) |
| Price | Potentially higher list price | Typically 10-15% below retail |
| Certainty | ~15-20% of Virginia listings fall through | 100% certainty once offer accepted |
Virginia Realtor Process Timeline
- Preparation: 2-4 weeks
- Repairs and updates
- Cleaning and staging
- Professional photography
- Listing Period: 30-60 days
- Marketing the property
- Multiple showings
- Negotiating offers
- Closing Phase: 30-45 days
- Buyer mortgage approval
- Home inspection
- Appraisal and final closing
Total Timeline: 60-100+ days with no sale guarantee
Virginia Cash Sale Timeline
- Contact Phase: 1 day
- Submit property information
- Schedule one property visit
- Offer Phase: 1-2 days
- One property visit
- Receive cash offer within 24 hours
- Closing Phase: 7-14 days
- Title search
- Simple closing paperwork
- Receive full payment
Total Timeline: As few as 7 days from start to finish
Cash vs Realtor Virginia: Cost Comparison
Virginia Realtor Sale Costs
For a $300,000 Virginia home:
- Realtor Commission: $15,000-$18,000 (5-6%)
- Closing Costs: $6,000-$9,000 (2-3%)
- Repairs/Updates: $5,000-$15,000+
- Staging: $1,500-$3,000
- Holding Costs: $2,000-$3,000 monthly
Total Costs: $29,500-$48,000+ (10-16%+ of price)
Virginia Cash Sale Costs
For the same property (with offer at $255,000-$270,000):
- Commission: $0
- Closing Costs: $0 (buyer pays)
- Repairs: $0
- Staging: $0
- Holding Costs: Minimal (quick close)
Total Costs: $0 out-of-pocket
When to Choose Each Option in Virginia
Choose a Realtor When:
- Your home is updated and move-in ready
- You have time to wait for the ideal buyer
- Maximum sale price is your top priority
- You can afford upfront preparation costs
- The Virginia market strongly favors sellers
Choose a Cash Buyer When:
- You need to sell quickly (7-14 days)
- Your property needs significant repairs
- You want to avoid showing your home
- You’re facing foreclosure or financial pressure
- You’ve inherited a property or are divorcing
- You have a military PCS or job relocation
- You want certainty without financing risks
Making Your Decision: Virginia Seller Questions
Consider these questions when comparing cash vs realtor options in Virginia:
- How quickly do you need to sell?
- Is your home updated and in good condition?
- Can you afford upfront preparation costs?
- Are you willing to maintain a show-ready home?
- How important is maximum price vs. convenience?
- Are you facing a time-sensitive situation?
Areas We Serve Across Virginia
Our home selling services are available throughout Virginia, including:
- Richmond and surrounding counties
- Caroline County
- Colonial Heights
- Chesterfield County
- Culpeper County
- Fauquier County
- Fredericksburg
- Hanover County
- Henrico County
- Hopewell
- King George County
- Louisa County
- Orange County
- Prince William County
- Richmond
- See The Full List of Locations
Frequently Asked Questions for Cash vs. Traditional
Cash offers typically range between 10-15% below full retail value in Virginia. However, when you factor in realtor commissions (5-6%), closing costs (2-3%), and potential repair expenses, the net difference is often much smaller than it initially appears.
We can close in as little as 7 days after accepting your offer, or we can work with your preferred timeline.
No. We buy houses in absolutely any condition throughout Virginia. You won’t need to make repairs, updates, or even clean the property before selling.
We consider your home’s location, current condition, comparable sales in your Virginia neighborhood, and estimated renovation costs to calculate a fair cash offer. We provide complete transparency about how we arrive at our offer amount.
No. Unlike traditional sales where sellers typically pay 2-3% in closing costs and 5-6% in realtor commissions, we cover the closing costs and charge zero commissions.
Yes. We specialize in helping homeowners in pre-foreclosure situations. We can often close quickly enough to stop the foreclosure process and protect your credit from the severe damage of a completed foreclosure.
We regularly work with out-of-state property owners. Our process includes options for remote closings, digital paperwork, and handling all the local details so you don’t need to travel to Virginia to complete the sale.
No. Our cash offers are completely free and come with no obligation. You can take time to consider the offer and compare it with other options with absolutely no pressure from us.
Once you accept our offer, we handle all the paperwork, title search, and closing arrangements. You simply choose your closing date (as soon as 7 days), sign the closing documents, and receive your cash payment.
Next Steps for Virginia Homeowners
Exploring the Traditional Route
- Interview 2-3 local real estate agents
- Get a comparative market analysis (CMA)
- Understand all costs involved
- Create a timeline for necessary repairs/updates
- Consider your flexibility for showings and negotiations
Exploring the Cash Sale Option when selling your home
- Contact We Buy Houses Virginia for a no-obligation offer
- Share basic property information
- Schedule one convenient property visit
- Receive a fair cash offer within 24 hours
- Choose your ideal closing date
Get Your Cash Offer Today
If you’d like to explore the cash sale option for your Virginia home, We Buy Houses Virginia is ready to help. We’ve purchased homes throughout Virginia in every condition and situation imaginable.
Call us today at (540) 787-3300 for a free, no-obligation cash offer.
Or complete the form below to start the conversation about your Virginia property.
We Buy Houses Virginia – 24 Synan Rd, Suite 117, Fredericksburg, VA 22405
