Instant cash home offers promise convenience, but many sellers don’t realize how much equity they’re giving up until it’s too late.

You get a mailer that says, “We’ll buy your home as-is. No repairs. No hassle.” Sounds tempting, right?

We’re seeing the marketing everywhere: billboards on the road, mailers in your mailbox, and online ads promising quick cash and a fast closing. 

The message is simple: skip the hassle and sell your home instantly.

It sounds convenient, and in some situations, convenience matters. However, that convenience usually comes at a cost. Here are some of the tradeoffs:

Most instant buyers price their offers significantly below the true market value. In many cases, the offer can be 20% to 30% lower than what your home could sell for on the open market. That’s not a small difference. On a $500,000 home, that could mean walking away with $100,000 less.

That is a steep price to pay for speed.

“Before accepting any instant offer, compare it to what your home could realistically sell for in today’s market.”

Many instant-offer companies stack additional fees into the transaction. There may be service fees, repair credits, processing fees, or other charges built into the final numbers. These are expenses you typically would not see in a traditional home sale.

When you combine a lower purchase price with added fees, the result is a much smaller check at closing. That’s money you’ve worked years to build through equity.

Does that mean instant offers are always wrong? Not necessarily. Every seller’s situation is different. Some homeowners prioritize certainty and timing over maximizing price. There are circumstances where speed matters more than anything else.

Before accepting any instant offer, compare it to what your home could realistically sell for in today’s market. Look at the true net proceeds, not just the headline number. Ask questions about fees. Ask how repairs are calculated. Make sure you know exactly what you would walk away with.

But the good news is: you don’t have to sacrifice top dollar to get convenience. With the right strategy and professional guidance, you can often create a smooth, efficient sale process while still protecting your equity and achieving fair market value.

If you’re considering selling and have received an instant offer, let’s review it together. We can break down the numbers side by side and look at your real options.

You deserve to make a decision based on clarity, not marketing. Reach out at (651) 998-9829 or info@holzgroup.com. I’ll help you build a smart, confident strategy for 2026.