We Buy Chicago Houses
Fast for Cash

Selling Your Chicago House: Weighing the Options

If you’ve been thinking of selling your house, it would be smart to weigh your options. If you’re unsure whether to list with a Realtor or sell directly to a property investor, it will help keep reading. This is no easy matter. Selling a property is a huge and very complicated decision, so it would be wise to consider the pros and cons of both options:

Option I – List with a Realtor

Pros of using a Realtor:

• Many Realtors have the experience needed to know what they’re doing
• It will be your Realtor’s job to negotiate the details, not yours
• Your Realtor can guide you every step of the way
• You may end up getting close to your asking price

Cons of using a Realtor:

• You’ll need to oversee and pay for the needed repairs
• You’ll need to thoroughly clean your house top to bottom
• Your Realtor could take months showing your house before finding a buyer
• During this time you’ll continue paying the taxes, insurance, utilities, upkeep and etc.
• You’ll owe your Realtor a substantial commission in the end
• You may end up NOT getting close to your asking price

Option II – Sell to a Direct Home Buyer for Cash

Pros of selling direct to an investor:

• The real estate investors like US Direct Home Buyers are highly experienced in purchasing directly
• You’ll immediately know what the offer is, so you won’t be taking a risk on the market
• No need for you to oversee and pay for repairs
• No need for you to clean your house
• No need to wait for a buyer month-after-month
• No need to keep paying taxes, insurance, utilities, upkeep and etc.
• No need to pay any commissions or transaction fees

Cons of selling direct to an investor:

• A property investor may offer you less than “current market price”

For many homeowners wishing to sell, the decision to hire a Realtor to list their house or sell direct to an investor boils down to these two questions:How fast do you want your house to sell?

1. Do you want to take a chance on finding a buyer who will pay the current market price no matter how long it takes while you pay all the expenses?
2. Do you want to know immediately how much you will pocket and avoid the wait as well as paying all those bills?

When you’ve decided how you’ll answer those two questions, you’ll know which way to go. Contact us today at (832) 662-2202 for additional information!

Option II – Sell Your Chicago House to a Direct Home Buyer with “Terms”

A creative option is when the homeowner sells their house and provides the financing as well. If you are eager to increase the odds of selling your house and expand the number of potential buyers, you may want to consider this option. We will agree on how we pay you over a period of time, and you sell your house fast. Often we can pay you more when we buy like this.

When buying with terms, the investor avoids going to a lender for a mortgage and instead buys directly from you, the homeowner. The buyer will pay you a deposit upfront and when escrow closes, you’ll get monthly payments until the house is fully paid off. Selling with terms is an attractive option which can help get a problem property off your hands and provide you cash monthly payments over a period of time.

Pros of selling with owner financing:

• It can dramatically increase the pool of potential buyers since people who may have difficulty getting bank financing can now be included.
• It provides you with cash flow, as the buyer will be making monthly house payments to you.
• You are protected because if they stop making payments, you still legally own the house.
• You will have little or no property management responsibilities, unlike with a rental, since the buyer will be responsible for that.

Not everyone is in a position to offer owner financing. Still, if you can and are eager to increase your potential buyers pool and would like the additional cash flow while still being protected, this option may fit your needs. If you want more information on how this would work, review these resources, and do not hesitate to contact us today with your questions!

Foreclosure

Anyone facing foreclosure knows how frightening it can be, and most are confused about their options. Armed with the right information, you may actually be able to avoid being foreclosed on. US Direct Home Buyers is here to help you. Contact us today, and we’ll lay out all your options and give you our best advice, whatever your situation! If you decide that selling would be best, there are several ways to accomplish this:

For selling your Chicagohouse, the most obvious choice would be to hire a Realtor and list your home with them. If you’re in no hurry and can afford to wait 4+ months, you might make the most profit. But homeowners facing foreclosure don’t have the luxury of time.  

You need a quick sale. Working with a well-regarded direct buyer like US Direct Home Buyers who can make you an all-cash offer may be your best bet. Once we hear from you about your situation and home, we’ll be in a position to evaluate your property. Give us 48 hours, and we’ll get back to you with a fair all-cash offer. We may be able to help stop the foreclosure, or we may be able to offer other options. For a free Foreclosure Guide, click here.

One way to effectively mitigate the effects of foreclosure would be a short sale. Although this may not be easy to accomplish in the current market, it could be the easiest way to eliminate the mortgage’s remaining debt. If you go the short sale route, the lender would agree to accept less than the full amount you owe on the mortgage. This wipes out the debt so that you can move on with your life.

For answers to your questions on the above, please review these resources, or reach out to us. We can help you navigate the situation to your benefit!

Divorce

In our decades of being in the real estate business, we have helped many clients get through their personal and financial struggles, and that often includes divorce. Getting through a divorce is hard enough as it is without also being forced to sell your home, which is likely your most significant asset. Fortunately, we have a lot of experience dealing with this situation and can help you get through it as smoothly as possible. If you would like our help, contact us today. Our expertise is yours for the asking. Until then, here’s what you can do to help yourself in the process:

• Get the support you need: It’s important to take good care of yourself, and the support of a close friend can help. You need someone who will listen and help you stay on track and do what needs to be done.
• Know the details of your mortgage and title: You must have a full understanding of each so that your attorney can provide the judge with accurate information, and you don’t have any surprises.
• Keep copies of everything: Keep copies of all financial records in a safe place so that you have the type of information your lawyer will need to represent you properly.
• Hire a real estate professional with divorce expertise: If you are trying to decide whether to list with a Realtor or accept an all-cash offer from a direct buyer like US Direct Home Buyers, check out our Sell Direct vs. List with a Realtor page so that you can compare both options.
• If you move out, take all your belongings: A clean break is usually recommended. It may be painful, but it really is best legally and emotionally for both parties. If your spouse is the one moving out, separate all his/her possessions from yours and store them.
• Be your own investigator: If you don’t know who holds title to your home and who is on the mortgage, get the details from your attorney. You can also get the records from the Office of the County Clerk. More tips are available here.

There is no need to face this situation on your own. We at US Direct Home Buyers are here to help make it as easy as possible to sell your house while getting through this difficult transition, so you are free to move on with your life. We will discuss all available options with you to make the wisest decision under the circumstances. Contact us today for the help and resources needed to sell your house quickly. 

Code Violations

If your home has been poorly maintained or damaged somehow so that it’s no longer “up to code,” you may think you’re stuck. Maybe one day, you’ll get all the repairs done, so it’s livable enough to sell. But in trying to keep up with taxes, pay for all the repairs and other routine maintenance, you’re starting to wonder whether it makes sense to keep pouring money into this house. If this is what you’re dealing with, you may want to consider other options.

If you sell the house, you’ll escape all the stress, but how do you find a buyer willing to take on a house filled with code violations? Under these circumstances, you must have the right buyer, someone who is willing to pay a reasonable price and who can deal with the challenges ahead. The answer could be finding an investor who clearly sees the potential. By taking this path, you can sell quickly and avoid pouring any more money into this house than necessary. 

When selling a house with code violations, you need to be realistic about the price. You will not get the same price as the other homes in your area that are up to code and in good condition. Your house needs a lot of work, and it all has to be paid for. When you work with a real estate investor like US Direct Home Buyers, you would be selling to someone with enough resources to get the repairs done at a good price. This means they can afford to make you a higher offer than many other interested parties. It would be best to remember that you would not be paying any fees, commissions, or closing costs, saving you thousands.

Keep in mind that when you sell a house filled with code violations, you must disclose everything to the buyer. If you fail to disclose everything in writing, you could face legal repercussions. You have to be completely honest in revealing everything about the property. This includes things other than code violations. All needed repairs and any damage you’re aware of must be listed; otherwise, you could be subject to a lawsuit. You have no choice but to be completely forthright when it comes to your disclosures. Make a comprehensive checklist, top to bottom, that identifies everything needing to be brought up to code and/or repaired. 

Other than that, it will certainly help the property sell if you can make it look as nice as possible. Even if there’s obvious storm or flood damage, do what you can to make everything else look appealing. It would be best if you made the positive features stand out, and this may even require a bit of staging. The point is to emphasize the home’s potential, how nice it will be once the damage and/or repairs are taken care of. It would also make sense to improve the curb appeal by cleaning up and refreshing the yard. Potential buyers will get a first impression when they drive up, and if they like what they see, they are more open to making an offer. Whether the house needs repairs or not, first impressions count.

Finally, when trying to sell a house in need of repairs and/or with code violations, you shouldn’t be on the defensive. No matter how old, run-down, or damaged your house is, do not sell it dirt cheap. Wait for the right buyer, someone who can see what the home once was and can be again. Find a buyer with integrity who will make you a fair offer.

Getting a house sold with code violations can seem like an insurmountable task, but it’s done every day. The key is to properly market the property, know your market, and to have realistic expectations. When you know what you’re doing, you can make a quick sale and have a transaction that goes smoothly.

US Direct Home Buyers’s expertise is in helping people sell their homes with code violations. If you are trying to sell a home in dire need of repairs, we want to hear from you! Please contact us today, or you can click on the link below and review many resources we’ve gathered for you.

Inherited Property

If you have unexpectedly inherited some property that presents problems or is otherwise a burden, we can certainly help you figure out what you’re dealing with. Some of the situations we’ve helped clients navigate are as follows:

• Unpaid property taxes
• Unaffordable mortgage payments
• Home needs repairs and/or upgrades
• Problems with joint heirs or family members
• Property has liens against it

For access to resources on these issues, click here or contact us with your questions. Otherwise, if you’re feeling overwhelmed by a home you’ve inherited and just want to quickly unload it, we can make you a fair all-cash offer for a quick sale. Contact us today.

Selling a House While Still in Probate (Resources)

The death of a loved one is always painful, but when their estate gets mired in probate court, it becomes that much more difficult. US Direct Home Buyers specializes in buying houses in all sorts of situations and would be happy to answer your questions on how to sell the house while it’s still in probate. Keep reading if you want more information.

What’s the purpose of probate?

The purpose of probate court is to oversee the distribution of a deceased person’s possessions. If you’ve inherited property that is stuck in probate, you are certainly aware of the frustrations. If a specified heir has not been named, probate court will have to oversee the sale of the property. If the deceased has not named an executor of their estate, the court will have to nominate someone to handle everything.  

The executor is often the deceased’s closest living relative. After the house sells, the court will divide the profits among the beneficiaries. The executor must also see that any cash bequests, remaining debts, and fees are fully paid as well. Some properties are not required to go through probate court. With good estate planning, some assets can be passed down or sold through a living trust.

The executor of the estate has the authority to quickly sell a house in probate as long as they have the written consent of all known heirs. The heirs as well as the court must approve the sale. Once it goes through, proceeds will go to pay off the deceased’s debts before being divided among the beneficiaries.

This can get very complicated, so it’s important that you know what you’re doing if you’re the executor. US Direct Home Buyers specializes in in this type of transaction and can ensure that every detail is handled properly. We have dealt with many properties being sold in probate and can help you navigate the sale so that it’s done legally and as quickly as possible.

How much it costs to sell a house while it’s still in probate will depend on how large the estate is. There are going to be court costs, transfer fees, filing fees and of course attorney fees. An experienced probate lawyer will charge thousands of dollars, so this can get quite expensive. The sooner you can get through the sale, the less stressful it will be.

The entire probate process can take 6 to 9 months on average, whereas selling the house directly to US Direct Home Buyers can go a lot more quickly by comparison. A quick sale will save you and the other heirs a lot of stress and save everyone the bickering that usually takes place in these situations. A fair and fast sale can benefit everyone involved by bringing a measure of closure at this difficult time.  

We at US Direct Home Buyers completely understand how probate works from beginning to end. It’s usually very stressful, but with our help the stress can be kept to a minimum. Contact us today so that we can review the options with you. You are not under any obligation by speaking with us. If you want to find out more about how the probate process works, check these resources.

Cook County:
60004 | 60005 | 60007 | 60008 | 60010 | 60015 | 60016 | 60018 | 60022 | 60025 | 60026 | 60043 | 60053 | 60056 | 60062 | 60067 | 60068 | 60070 | 60074 | 60076 | 60077 | 60089 | 60090 | 60091 | 60093 | 60103 | 60104 | 60107 | 60120 | 60126 | 60130 | 60131 | 60133 | 60153 | 60154 | 60155 | 60160 | 60162 | 60163 | 60164 | 60165 | 60169 | 60171 | 60172 | 60173 | 60176 | 60192 | 60193 | 60194 | 60195 | 60201 | 60202 | 60203 | 60301 | 60302 | 60304 | 60305 | 60402 | 60406 | 60409 | 60411 | 60415 | 60418 | 60419 | 60422 | 60423 | 60425 | 60426 | 60428 | 60429 | 60430 | 60438 | 60439 | 60443 | 60445 | 60449 | 60452 | 60453 | 60455 | 60456 | 60457 | 60458 | 60459 | 60461 | 60462 | 60463 | 60464 | 60465 | 60466 | 60467 | 60469 | 60471 | 60472 | 60473 | 60475 | 60476 | 60477 | 60478 | 60480 | 60482 | 60484 | 60487 | 60501 | 60513 | 60521 | 60523 | 60525 | 60526 | 60527 | 60534 | 60546 | 60558 | 60601 | 60602 | 60603 | 60604 | 60605 | 60606 | 60607 | 60608 | 60609 | 60610 | 60611 | 60612 | 60613 | 60614 | 60615 | 60616 | 60617 | 60618 | 60619 | 60620 | 60621 | 60622 | 60623 | 60624 | 60625 | 60626 | 60628 | 60629 | 60630 | 60631 | 60632 | 60633 | 60634 | 60636 | 60637 | 60638 | 60639 | 60640 | 60641 | 60642 | 60643 | 60644 | 60645 | 60646 | 60647 | 60649 | 60651 | 60652 | 60653 | 60654 | 60655 | 60656 | 60657 | 60659 | 60660 | 60661 | 60699 | 60701 | 60706 | 60707 | 60712 | 60714 | 60803 | 60804 | 60805 | 60827

DuPage County:
60007 | 60101 | 60103 | 60106 | 60108 | 60120 | 60126 | 60133 | 60137 | 60139 | 60143 | 60148 | 60157 | 60172 | 60174 | 60181 | 60184 | 60185 | 60187 | 60188 | 60189 | 60190 | 60191 | 60199 | 60439 | 60440 | 60502 | 60503 | 60504 | 60514 | 60515 | 60516 | 60517 | 60521 | 60523 | 60527 | 60532 | 60540 | 60555 | 60559 | 60561 | 60563 | 60564 | 60565 | 60599