Frequently Asked Questions

Maybe you have a few questions. That’s okay; most people do. Here is a quick collection of some of the questions people ask us, along with our answers. If you still have a question, don’t hesitate to contact us anytime. We would be happy to answer it for you.

You can give us a call any time at (253) 201-3000

Q:  Will you be listing my house on the MLS or actually buying it?

A:  Great question. We’re not agents, and we don’t list houses. Here at Highest Offer Real Estate, we are professional home buyers: We buy houses  that meet our purchasing criteria, and we don’t use bank financing so you don’t have to worry about our ability to close on a deal. After purchasing, we may repair the house and resell it to another homeowner or keep it as a rental ourselves.

Q:  How are you different from a real estate agent?

A: Real estate agents list properties and hope that someone will buy them. The agent shows the properties to prospective buyers if there are any (the average time to sell a property in many markets right now is 4-6 months) and then takes a percentage of the sale price if they find a buyer. Oftentimes, the agent’s commission is 3 to 6% of the sale price of your house. If it’s a $100,000 house, you’ll pay between $3,000 to $6,000 in commissions to an agent.

Agents provide a great service for those that can wait 4+ months to sell and who don’t mind giving up some of that sale price to pay for the commissions. But that’s where we’re different. We’re not agents, we’re home buyers. Our company buys the house directly from you. Since we pay with all cash and purchase the house from you, we can make a decision to buy your house within a couple of days (sometimes even the same day). Again, we make our living by taking the risk to buy the house with our own cash, repair the house, and market it ourselves to find a buyer.

Looking for this to be broken down further? Here’s a comparison chart to give an overview:

Q:  Do you pay fair prices for properties?

A:  Many of the houses we purchase are below market value. We do this so we can resell it at a profit to another homeowner. We are looking to get a fair discount on a property. In our experience, many sellers aren’t necessarily expecting a large “windfall” on the property. Instead, they appreciate that we can offer cash, we close very quickly (no waiting for financing), and no time, effort, or expense is required on your part to fix up the property or pay agent fees. If that’s what you’re looking for and you see the value in getting your house sold fast, let’s see if we can come to a win-win price for both parties. Our no-obligation pricing commitment means that you don’t have to move forward with the offer we give… but it’s good to know what we’re offering!

Q:  How do you determine the price to offer on my house?

A:  Great question, and we’re an open book. Our process is very straightforward. We look at the location of the property, what repairs are needed, the current condition of the property, and the value of comparable houses sold in the area recently. Taking the many pieces of information into consideration, we come up with a fair price that works for us and works for you, too.

Q:  Are there any fees or commissions to work with you?

A: This is what makes us stand out from the traditional method of selling your house: there are NO fees or commissions when you sell your house directly to us compared to listing fees, where up to 6% comes out of your pocket. We’ll make you an offer and, if it’s a fit, then we’ll buy your house with no hassles and no fees. We’ll often pay for the closing costs, too! We make our money after we pay for repairs on the house and sell it for a profit. We’re taking the risks here on whether we can sell it for a profit or not. Once we buy the house from you, the responsibility is ours and you walk away without the burden of the property and its payments, as well as cash in your hand.

Q:  Is there any obligation when I submit my information?

A: There is absolutely zero obligation for you. Once you tell us a bit about your property, we’ll take a look at things, maybe set up a call with you to find out a bit more, and make you an all-cash offer that’s fair for you and fair for us. From there, it’s 100% your decision on whether or not you’d like to sell your house to us. We’ll let you decide what’s right for you.

“The Offer and Price“

Q: How much are you willing to pay for my house?

A: To give you an accurate offer, we first need to see the property, either in person or via a video walk-through. We base our offer on the condition, location, and comparable sales data in your neighborhood. We can typically provide a firm cash offer within 24 hours of viewing the home.

What if I am embarrassed about the condition of my property??

As cash buyers we view the property as a project. The dirt, clutter, animal damage and overall condition is a factor in our initial offer (we account for the costs of renovation), but it does not deter us from buying. Odor, clutter and everything in between is part of the “as-is” package! We will assess the property as it is, smell and all. Our goal is to get a discount for taking on all the work and risk, which is often a trade-off sellers in your situation are willing to make for convenience and speed. Feeling embarrassed about a bad odor in your home is understandable, but as cash buyers we are prepared for and completely unfazed by such issues. We view it as a factor in our investment calculation, not a personal failing on your part. 

The sales process is designed to be discreet. Unlike traditional sales involving multiple showings and open houses, a cash sale only requires one or two private walk-throughs by the buyer. This means you avoid the embarrassment of having multiple strangers walk through your home. 

“How do you determine the offer price?”

“We calculate our offer based on the potential resale value of your house after we fully renovate and repair it (the After Repair Value, or ARV). From that ARV, we subtract the estimated renovation costs, our anticipated selling costs (like commissions we’ll pay later), and our minimum profit margin. This leaves us with our fair cash offer to you.”

Q: Will I get a fair market value for my home?

A: Our offers are competitive but typically below the full retail market value you might achieve after several months on the open market, using an agent, and making all necessary repairs. We provide a discount in exchange for the convenience, speed, and ‘as-is’ nature of the sale.

Q: What if I have a higher offer in hand?

A: Our initial cash offer is thoughtfully calculated based on the property’s current market value and condition. While we are confident in the value we provide, we encourage you to compare offers thoroughly.

If you have another offer, we are happy to review it and sharpen our own to remain competitive.

It is crucial to compare all offers ‘apples to apples.’ Many seemingly higher offers from other buyers may contain hidden fees, commissions, or concerning contingencies that provide the buyer with ‘outs’ and put you, the seller, at a disadvantage. Our goal is to present the highest, most transparent, and most reliable offer you receive.

“The Process and Logistics“

Q: Do I need to make any repairs, clean the house, or remove unwanted items?

A: No, you do not. We buy all properties completely ‘as-is.’ You can take what you want to keep and leave the rest behind—even trash or unwanted furniture. We handle all necessary repairs and cleanouts after closing.

Q: How long does the entire process take, from offer to closing?

A: We can close in as little as 7 to 14 days. Since we use our own cash, we don’t rely on bank financing or appraisals, which eliminates the typical 30-60 day waiting period.

Q: When do I get paid for the house?

A: You receive the funds via a secure wire transfer on the exact day of closing, after all necessary paperwork has been signed and recorded by the title company.

Q: Do you handle all the paperwork, or do I need a lawyer or real estate agent?

A: We coordinate all the paperwork through a local, third-party title and escrow company (or attorney’s office, depending on the state). They are a neutral party that handles the title search and ensures a legal and correct transfer of ownership. You are always welcome to hire your own real estate attorney to review the documents.

Q: Do I have to pay any Commissions?

A: When we make a cash offer, there are no real estate commissions charged to the seller of the property.”

What Washington state fees are required to be paid by seller when selling a property?

In the state of Washington, every homeowner selling property is required to pay the Real Estate Excise Tax (REET) upon the sale.

Q: Can I still sell if I have a mortgage or liens on the property?

A: Yes, absolutely. The title company will identify any outstanding mortgage balances or liens during the title search and use the sale proceeds to pay them off. You receive the remaining balance free and clear.

Q: What happens if I live out of state?

A: No problem. The entire process can be managed remotely. We can handle contracts via email or mail, and the closing documents can be signed at a local notary near you.

“Trust and Credibility“

Q: How do I know your offer is legitimate and not a scam?

A: We use a reputable, third-party title and escrow company to manage the transaction. They are a state-regulated entity that ensures all funds are properly managed and legally transferred. We never ask for money upfront from the seller.

Q: Can you provide proof of funds to show you have the cash available?

A: Yes, we will happily provide you with a current bank statement or a letter from our financial institution along with our offer to verify we have the liquid cash required to purchase your home.

Q: Are you the actual buyer, or are you a wholesaler who will try to sell my contract to someone else?

A: We are the direct cash buyer, and we intend to close on the property ourselves.” (Note: If the company is a wholesaler, a truthful answer might be, “We find the buyer for the contract,” which should prompt immediate follow-up questions from the seller).

Q: How long have you been in business in this area, and how many houses have you bought?

A: We have been operating in Western WA Seattle/Tacoma area for over 30 years and have successfully purchased hundreds of homes. We are familiar with the local market dynamics.

Q: Where can I find reviews or testimonials from your past clients?

A: You can find reviews on Google, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website, and our company website. We can also put you in touch with recent clients upon request.

Q: Do you provide an earnest money deposit to show you’re serious?

A: Yes, we deposit earnest money with the title company once the contract is signed to show our commitment to closing the transaction.

“Post-Sale Concerns“

Q: What happens if I need more time to move out after the closing date?

A: We are usually flexible and can often offer a temporary lease-back agreement, allowing you to stay in the home for a few days or even weeks after closing to give you ample time to move your belongings.

Q: Will I be responsible for any issues with the house after the sale is complete?

A: No. The home is sold ‘as-is,’ meaning once you sign the closing paperwork, all responsibility for the property, including any defects or required repairs, transfers completely to us.

Want To See What We Can Buy Your House For?

Fill Out The Quick Form Below To Get A No-Hassle, No-Obligation, All-Cash Offer