Frequently Asked Questions
We get it—selling a house off-market isn’t something most people do every day, so it’s natural to have questions. Here are a few of the ones we hear most often.
If you don’t see your question answered here, just reach out—we’ll be happy to talk through it with you.
Q: Will you be listing my house on the MLS or actually buying it?
A: We’re not real estate agents and we don’t put houses on the MLS. Our company, Evergreen Home Buyer, buys houses directly here in Seattle. That means no banks, no long waiting periods, and no “maybe” when it comes to closing. We use our own cash to buy properties that meet our criteria, and once we purchase, we may fix the home up and resell it—or keep it as a rental in our portfolio.
Q: How are you different from a real estate agent?
A: Agents list your property and then wait for a buyer to come along. In many areas, that process can take 4–6 months (sometimes longer). If the home sells, you’ll also pay the agent a commission—usually 3–6% of the sales price—plus closing costs. On a $300,000 house, that’s $9,000–$18,000 right off the top.
We do things differently. Since we’re home buyers, not agents, we purchase your house directly with cash. That means we can make you an offer and close in days—not months. There are no showings, no open houses, no waiting for loan approvals, and no commissions to pay. You get a straightforward offer, and you choose the closing date that works best for you.
Looking for this to be broken down further? Here’s a comparison chart to give an overview:
| Selling w/ A Seattle Agent | SOLD To Evergreen Home Buyers | |
|---|---|---|
| Commissions / Fees: | Up to 6%, paid by you, the seller | None |
| Who Pays Closing Costs? | 2% on average is paid by you, the seller | We pay all costs. |
| Inspection & Financing Contingency*: | Yes, sales can fall through. | None needed |
| Appraisal Needed: | Yes, the sale is often subject to appraisal. | No, we make cash offers. |
| Average Days Until Sold: | +/- 91 Days | We provide immediate cash offers. |
| Number of Showings: | It Depends | 1 (Just Us) |
| Closing Date: | 30-60+/- days after accepting the buyer’s offer | The date of YOUR CHOICE. |
| Who Pays For Repairs? | Negotiated during the inspection period | We pay for all repairs. |
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!
DOWNLOAD our free guide that walks you through the Pros and Cons (plus the cost and timeline) of selling your house to a real estate investor versus the pros, cons, and costs of the other two alternatives – listing with an agent or selling it yourself.
Q: How do you determine the price to offer on my house?
A: We keep things simple and transparent. When we make an offer, we look at the property’s location, condition, and what repairs may be needed. We also check what similar homes in your neighborhood have sold for recently. Putting that together helps us come up with a fair cash offer that works for you and still makes sense for us.
Q: Are there any fees or commissions to work with you?
A: No. When you sell to us, there are no commissions, no fees, and no hidden costs. Unlike listing with an agent—where 5–6% usually goes straight to commission—you get the full offer we make, often with us covering the closing costs, too. We make our money after we buy the house by putting in repairs and reselling or renting it. You get cash in hand without paying out of pocket.
Q: Is there any obligation when I submit my information?
A: Not at all. Reaching out to us comes with zero obligation. Once we have some basic details about your property, we’ll make you a no-pressure cash offer. If it works for you, great—we’ll move forward and close on your timeline. If it doesn’t, that’s completely fine too. You’re in control of the decision the whole way through.
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Learn The Pros and Cons Of Selling Your House To A Local Professional Home Buyer – Your FREE Guide:
Download our FREE Guide here and contact us anytime with questions or if you would like a no-hassle Situation Evaluation. Learn more about how we help Seattle homeowners sell their unwanted properties for cash.
Get your FREE Guide and then give us a call at 253-342-8468. We would love to discuss what your home is worth and what we can offer to buy it with our Cash Offer Program.