
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything You Need to Know About Selling Your Home to Us
Selling your home can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. At Homes by Pros, we’re committed to making the process simple, transparent, and stress-free. Below, we’ve compiled answers to some of the most common questions homeowners have when selling their property to us. Whether you're wondering about timelines, offers, or the condition of your home, you’ll find clear answers here. If you don’t see your question, feel free to reach out – we’re always happy to help!
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What sets us apart from traditional home selling methods is that there are no fees or commissions when you sell your house to us. We will make you an offer and if it's a good fit, we will buy your house, often covering closing costs as well. It's a simple and hassle-free process. We make our profit after purchasing the house and making any necessary repairs, and then selling it for a profit. The risk and responsibility of the property and its payments fall on us, allowing you to walk away without any burden and sometimes with cash in hand.
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Many of the houses we acquire are below market value, as it allows us to resell them at a profit to other homeowners. We aim to secure a fair discount on the property. However, many sellers appreciate that we offer cash, close quickly without the need for financing, and do not require any time, effort, or expense on their part to fix up the property or pay agent fees. If you're seeking this type of a solution and value the convenience of a fast sale, let's explore the possibility of a mutually beneficial agreement. Please note that our no-obligation pricing commitment means that you are under no pressure to accept our offer, but it's always helpful to know what options are available.
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Real estate agents list properties with the goal of finding a buyer, showing the property to potential buyers if any show up (which can take an average of 6-12 months in many markets) and then taking a percentage of the sale price as commission if a sale is made. This commission can range from 3-6% of the sale price of the property. This service is beneficial for those who can wait 6-12 months to sell their property and are willing to part with a portion of the sale price as commission. However, we offer a different approach, as we are not agents, we are home buyers. Our company directly buys houses, instead of listing them. As we are the ones buying the property, and we pay in cash, we can make a decision to purchase your house within a couple of days, or even the same day. We make a living by taking the risk of buying the property with our own cash, repairing it and marketing it to find a buyer, which can be challenging in today's market.
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We have a transparent process. We evaluate the location of the property, the repairs needed, the current condition of the property, and the prices of similar houses sold in the area recently. It's important to note that the value of houses have decreased significantly in the past 5 years and many areas haven't seen prices recover yet. We consider multiple factors and come up with a fair price that is advantageous for both parties.
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There is absolutely no pressure for you to make a decision. After you provide us with information about your property, we will conduct a review and possibly schedule a call to gather more details. We will then present you with a fair all-cash offer that is mutually beneficial. The decision to sell your house to us is completely yours and we will not harass or pressure you. It is entirely up to you to decide what's best for you and we respect your decision.
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We are not real estate agents, and we do not list houses for sale. Instead, we are professional home buyers who purchase houses in Dallas that meet our specific criteria. Afterwards, we may renovate the house and resell it to another homeowner or keep it as a rental property for ourselves.
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We ensure that every offer we make will close. We are able to do this by getting to know the seller, conducting thorough research on the property, staying informed about current market trends, and having the necessary cash on hand to close the deal.
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Our team will provide clear explanations about the payment process for every offer we make. The amount of money you will receive at closing will vary depending on factors such as the current mortgage balance, any lines of credit or liens against the property, transfer taxes, unpaid taxes or special assessments on the property. Our team will help you identify and estimate these expenses so you are well-informed of the exact amount you can expect to receive at closing. It's important to note that these expenses are common in most transactions. Don't let others gloss over these important details, leaving you disappointed at the closing.
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When you decide to sell your property to us, we will take care of updating the abstract, obtaining a title opinion and covering closing costs. You will be responsible for paying any transfer taxes and prorated property taxes. Keep in mind that property taxes are paid in arrears in Iowa, so we will need to prorate the current taxes for the time you owned the property.
If you're unsure about the location of your property's abstract, we will make every effort to locate it. However, in rare cases, if the abstract needs to be reconstructed, the expense will be your responsibility.
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After you submit the signed offer, the next step is to locate the abstract. If you already have it, please bring it to our office along with the signed offer. If it is with a lawyer or abstract company, please inform us of its location and we will retrieve it. In case you don't know where it is, our team will make efforts to find it.
At the closing, you will need to present a valid government-issued photo ID (such as a driver's license), all keys, and any garage remote for the property.
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Upon acceptance and signing of the offer, we will initiate the process of updating the abstract and obtaining a title opinion. If any issues with the title are discovered, we will work with you to address them. Once the title is cleared, we will schedule a closing date, typically within 2-4 weeks of the offer being signed, and proceed with preparing the necessary legal closing documents.
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You won't encounter any aggressive sales techniques with us. You will have all the time you need to evaluate our offer. If you decide to move forward, we even provide you with the option to retract the agreement within 3 days, giving you a "undo" button. Our goal is for you to feel completely confident in your decision to work with us.
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"Yes, but not often. Sometimes it's not the best course of action for any party involved. We are more than happy to provide you with alternative recommendations and options. Our consultations are free, confidential, and come with no obligation.
Do not concern yourself with meeting our criteria, we take pride in being transparent and honest. We will never take up your time discussing a property that we are not interested in purchasing."
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Of course, it's natural to have that question! Some properties are better suited for a traditional listing on the MLS. We will honestly inform you if we believe that is the best option for your property. We would be happy to connect you with our sales team to begin this process.
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You are welcome to leave any furniture or debris behind. Our clean-out crew will take care of removing any remaining items.
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No, we will take care of all the details and keep you updated throughout the process. However, if you would like a real estate attorney to review any documents, we are more than happy to provide you with some recommendations for reputable attorneys.
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Properties owners often reach out to us after encountering our signs, car decals, online ads, or hearing us on the radio.
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We may keep the property and remodel it before putting it on the market for sale.
We have a wide network of local investors who are always on the lookout for properties to renovate and resell or hold as rental properties. We can connect these investors with properties that fit their criteria.
Regardless of the option chosen, our goal is to make a profit, this is clearly stated in our contract. This is how we sustain our business and assist more sellers in getting rid of properties they no longer want. -
After accepting and signing our purchase offer for your property, you will bring it to our office. If you have the abstract, you should also bring that with you. If you do not have it, our team will start searching for it. The abstract is a physical record of the property's ownership history.
Once the abstract is located, we will order a title opinion. If there are no title defects, we will then set a closing date and provide you with a preliminary closing statement. This statement will outline the amount of money you can expect to receive at closing. You will have the opportunity to review this document and ask any questions before finalizing the agreement.
On the closing day, you will sign the official closing documents and the property's ownership will be transferred. You will receive a check for the amount specified in the closing statement. We guarantee no surprises or hidden tricks. -
A title is a legal document that identifies the official owner of a property. In Iowa, properties are identified by an abstract. An abstract is a physical record of a property's ownership history.
Before a property transfer can take place, the abstract must be located. An abstractor or attorney will update the abstract, and then an attorney will provide a title opinion, which confirms that there are no title defects that need to be resolved before the property can be sold. -
Before a property can be sold, the title must be clear of any defects. Title defects are issues with the ownership of the property that need to be resolved or "cleared". These issues can include but not limited to: inaccurate legal descriptions, missing heirs, unresolved wills, naming errors, outstanding mortgages, liens, and special assessments.
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The foreclosure process begins when a borrower fails to make mortgage payments. The lender will typically contact the borrower to try and resolve the situation, but if payments are not made, the lender may initiate foreclosure proceedings. This process typically starts with the recording of a Notice of Right to Cure, which gives the borrower an opportunity to catch up on missed payments. If the borrower is unable to do so, a Failure to Cure notice will be recorded and the property may be put up for sale at a sheriff's sale. The entire process can take several months, and during this time, the borrower can continue to live in the property. However, it is important to note that missing mortgage payments and going through foreclosure can have a negative impact on credit and make it difficult to obtain future financing. It is often recommended to consider renting during this time to rebuild credit.
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The process of foreclosure can be lengthy and emotionally taxing, and it may be difficult to find a buyer for your home in the current market. It is often recommended to consider alternative options, such as a short sale or a loan modification, to avoid the negative consequences of foreclosure. It is best to speak with a financial advisor or a housing counselor to determine the best course of action for your specific situation.
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When working with a licensed agent, you can be certain that they are well-versed in local and national real estate laws and regulations. They are also held to a high ethical standard and are required to abide by a strict code of conduct. This ensures that your best interests are being represented throughout the buying or selling process.
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Some real estate investors use dishonest tactics to purchase properties, such as promising to buy homes with little to no actual cash. They may put a property under contract with the seller and then try to resell the contract to another buyer for a profit, a practice known as "wholesaling." These contracts may not be legally binding, leaving the potential buyers with an out if they change their minds. Another tactic is buying properties "subject to," where the buyer pays a low price and takes over the seller's mortgage payments, but the mortgage remains in the seller's name, leaving the seller at risk if the buyer stops paying. This can also make it difficult for the seller to obtain a mortgage in the future as the debt remains in their name.
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Our signs are professionally designed and printed by a local print shop. They are placed in strategic locations with permission and are not the hand-written signs you may see in public areas or near intersections.
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A real estate contract reassignment is the process of transferring the rights and obligations of a real estate contract from one party to another. This is often done by wholesalers, who enter into a contract to purchase a property and then sell or assign that contract to another buyer before the closing date. The reassignment fee is usually paid by the new buyer and is in addition to the purchase price agreed upon in the original contract. This practice allows wholesalers to make a profit on a property without ever having to close on it themselves.
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A short sale is a process where a homeowner sells their property for less than the outstanding mortgage balance, with the lender's approval. This is typically done when the homeowner is facing financial hardship and is unable to make mortgage payments. The proceeds from the sale are used to pay off the outstanding mortgage, and any remaining balance may be forgiven or required to be paid back by the homeowner. The process must be completed with the assistance of a licensed real estate agent.
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A sheriff sale is the last stage of the foreclosure process, where the lender auction off the property to the highest bidder. Once the property is sold at a sheriff sale, the previous owner no longer has any legal claim or ownership to the property.
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Wholesaling is a common practice in the real estate industry where an investor makes an offer on a property with the intention of immediately reselling the contract to another buyer. They do not actually purchase the property themselves but instead make a profit by charging an assignment fee on top of the agreed sale price. On the other hand, a "wholetailer" is an investor who buys the property themselves, makes any necessary repairs, and then resells it to another investor or owner-occupant.
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When a buyer purchases a property "subject to," they take over the responsibility of making the mortgage payments, but the mortgage remains in the seller's name and the lender is not involved in the transaction. This can be risky for the seller as there is no guarantee that the buyer will continue making the mortgage payments and it can also make it difficult for the seller to apply for a new mortgage in the future as the debt remains in their name.