Should I accept a cash offer from an investor?
Written and reviewed by Andrew Ragusa, Licensed Real Estate Broker and Broker of Record, REMI Realty LLC — 11+ years of transactions across Long Island, Brooklyn and Queens.
The short answer
It depends on what matters most to you. A private cash offer from an investor may suit your circumstances, especially when speed, simplicity or avoiding showings is the priority. But a single private offer does not tell you what other buyers would be willing to pay for the house.
If your goal is to maximize the money you receive and get the best terms available, I recommend testing the open market so owner-occupants and investors can compete for the property. That does not guarantee the open market will always produce a better result, but it shows you what your real options are before you commit to one of them.
Whatever you are considering, compare the net money you would actually receive after costs, the conditions attached to each offer and the timing. Then you can decide with the full picture in front of you. I explain how I compare offers in the Seller’s Playbook.