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Cash Offer vs Realtor: Which Puts More Money in Your Pocket? | Local Home Buyers USA
⚖️ The Great Debate

Cash Offer vs Realtor

Which actually puts more money in your pocket? Use our calculator to see the real numbers—and discover the third option most sellers never hear about.

Run the Numbers

Interactive Comparison Calculator

Enter your home's details to see exactly what you'd net with each selling method.

Net Proceeds Calculator

⚡ Real-Time
List w/ Realtor
$102,000
Your Net (After Mortgage)
  • Sale Price$300,000
  • Commission (6%)-$18,000
  • Pre-Sale Repairs-$15,000
  • Closing Costs-$9,000
  • Holding (3 mo)-$6,000
  • Mortgage Payoff-$150,000
Cash Buyer
$60,000
Your Net (After Mortgage)
  • Cash Offer (70%)$210,000
  • Commission$0
  • Repairs$0
  • Closing Costs$0
  • Holding Costs$0
  • Mortgage Payoff-$150,000
Bee's Knees 🐝 Best Value
$126,000
Your Net (After Mortgage)
  • After-Repair Value$345,000
  • Guaranteed Min$255,000
  • Profit Share+$21,000
  • Commission$0
  • Your Repairs$0
  • Mortgage Payoff-$150,000
The Verdict

Bee's Knees nets you $66,000 more than a cash buyer
and $24,000 more than listing with a realtor

Want to see your real numbers? Get an instant offer →

Side by Side

Complete Comparison

Factor Realtor Cash Buyer Bee's Knees 🐝
Net Proceeds 84% of value 65-75% of value 90-95% of value
Time to Close 90-180 days 7-14 days 45-90 days
Commission 5-6% $0 $0
Repairs Needed You pay upfront None We pay
Showings Many None None while you live there
Certainty Deals fall through High Guaranteed—we're the buyer
Best For Max time, good condition Speed over price Best of both worlds
Deep Dive

Pros & Cons Breakdown

Listing With a Realtor

Pros

  • Highest potential sale price
  • Professional marketing & MLS exposure
  • Negotiation expertise
  • Handles paperwork

Cons

  • 5-6% commission ($15K-$18K on $300K)
  • Repairs required before listing
  • 90-180 days average timeline
  • Constant showings & open houses
  • Deals fall through 15% of the time
  • Price drops if it sits too long

Selling to a Cash Buyer

Pros

  • Close in 7-14 days
  • No repairs or cleaning needed
  • No showings or strangers
  • Certainty of close

Cons

  • 65-75% of market value only
  • You fund their flip profit
  • Take-it-or-leave-it offers
  • Some are bait-and-switch
  • Hidden fees with some buyers
  • No upside if market rises
🐝 The Third Option

What If You Didn't Have to Choose?

The Bee's Knees Partner Program gives you retail pricing with zero repairs, zero commissions, and profit-sharing upside. It's the option realtors don't tell you about and cash buyers hope you never find.

🐝 Learn About the Third Option
Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

It depends on your priorities. Realtors typically net you more money but take 3-6 months and require repairs. Cash buyers close fast but offer 65-75% of value. A third option—novation partnerships—can get you the best of both: retail pricing without the wait or repairs.
Traditional cash buyers offer 65-75% of market value, meaning you could lose 25-35% compared to retail. On a $300K home, that's $75K-$105K left on the table. However, you save on commissions, repairs, and holding costs—so the actual gap is smaller, around $40K-$60K.
Total commissions are typically 5-6% of the sale price, split between listing and buyer's agents. On a $300K home, that's $15K-$18K. Some discount brokerages offer lower rates, but often with reduced service. With the Bee's Knees program, you pay $0 in commissions.
Cash sales make sense when: you need to sell in under 30 days, the house needs major repairs you can't afford, you're facing foreclosure or divorce, or you value certainty over maximum price. For everyone else, there are usually better options—including the third option that combines speed with better pricing.
Many are legitimate, but the industry has bad actors. Red flags include: pressuring you to sign quickly, lowering the offer at closing, hidden fees, and refusing to show you their numbers. At Local Home Buyers USA, we operate with full transparency—you see every number in every deal.

See What Your Home Is Really Worth

Get instant offers for all three options—cash, retail estimate, and Bee's Knees partnership. Compare and choose what's best for you.

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Questions? 1-800-858-0588