A cash offer and a mortgage are both options that real estate buyers have when they want to buy a home. However, there are some key differences between the two that you should know about before making your decision.
Cash Buyers Make More Financially Capable offers
First and foremost, cash buyers don’t need to seek financing in order to purchase a property. That means they don’t need to go through the lender’s approval process, or meet any other lending requirements like a mortgage appraisal and inspection contingencies. This can be a huge benefit to a seller, as it can save them time and money.
They Can Avoid Lender Fees and Closing Costs
Because there’s no lender involved in the transaction, closing costs are also significantly lower. The paperwork is less complex, and you can often choose your title and escrow companies without having to pay a lender fee. Learn more https://www.kingfisherre.com/sell-my-house-fast-virginia/
Cash Buyers Make More Negotiable offers
If you’re a cash buyer, you may have more power to negotiate with sellers because there’s no financing involved. As a result, you can often snag the property for an attractive price that you might not be able to get otherwise.
You can also avoid the lender’s requirements to have an appraisal and inspection done, which can increase your negotiating power. Buying with cash can be especially beneficial for buyers who don’t plan to live in the property, as it reduces their risk of getting stuck with a house that requires major repairs or upgrades.
They Can Take More Risk
The biggest difference between a cash offer and a mortgage is that a mortgage involves lenders. These lenders can make the entire mortgage process much more complicated and involve a lot of paperwork and hoop-jumping.
This can make it easier for the mortgaged buyer to snag the property, but it can also put more pressure on the seller if their loan falls through or they don’t receive the funds from the lender in a timely manner. That’s why it’s important to take your time and carefully consider all aspects of a cash offer before deciding to accept it.
They Can Be Pushy
The main difference between a cash offer and a conventional mortgage is that a mortgaged buyer can be more aggressive in their negotiations. That can make them more likely to come in over the asking price, or even negotiate a price that’s higher than what they’ve offered, according to real estate agent Mike Ferrante.
But there’s a downside to this too, and that’s the fact that a mortgaged buyer may have more liquid assets than a cash buyer. If you’re a cash buyer, it’s important to keep your liquid assets close by so that you can fund any unexpected expenses that may arise in the future.
They Can Be Hard to Sell
If a cash buyer isn’t willing to wait for the right home, they might be tempted to push the price up as soon as they find one that matches their needs. They may also try to get an offer accepted quickly.