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Eli Buys Homes vs. the alternatives

Three ways to sell a house — direct to us, listed with a local agent, or to a typical cash investor. Here's how they actually stack up.

What you get with Eli Typical elsewhere
Difference
Eli Buys Homes
Direct cash offer
Local Real Estate Agent
Traditional MLS listing
Typical Cash Investor
General market pattern
Commissions / fees None 6% on average is paid by you Often 8-13% in fees, or built into a reduced offer
Who pays closing costs? None — we pay all costs 2% on average is paid by you Varies by company, sometimes negotiated down from the initial offer
Inspection & financing contingency None Common — up to 15% of sales fall through Often included, offer can drop after their own inspection
Appraisal needed None — we make cash offers Yes, sale is often subject to appraisal Sometimes, depending on how the purchase is funded
Average timeline Cash offer within 24 hours +/- 91 days on average Days to weeks — timeline can shift after their walkthrough
Number of showings 1 (just us) Depends on the property and location Usually 1, though some send a rotating team
Closing date Date of your choice 30-60 +/- days after accepting an offer Set by the investor — usually less flexible
Who pays for repairs? None — we pay for all repairs Negotiated during the inspection period Often deducted from your final offer

Local-agent figures reflect regional averages as published by Eli Buys Homes. Typical-investor figures describe common, general patterns across the direct-cash-buyer industry and vary by company — they are not a claim about any specific competitor.

Why it plays out this way

What contingencies actually cost you

With an inspection contingency, the buyer gets time to inspect the property and can back out or renegotiate if repairs come up. If the seller doesn't agree to the buyer's terms, the buyer can walk away from the sale entirely.

A financing contingency gives the buyer an out if they can't secure a loan, or if the property doesn't appraise for what the bank requires. We don't use bank financing to buy your home, so you don't have to worry about our ability to close.

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