If you have a home you need to sell quickly in Wauwatosa, you have two options:
- Sell your home with an agent who knows you need to sell fast.
- Sell to a We Buy Houses company if your home needs some work.
Both options come with drawbacks, the biggest being the cash you'll sacrifice. But there are plenty of reasons to prioritize speed over money. For instance, you may have inherited a home you can't afford to take care of. Or, you may need to move quickly due to a life change or to take a new job in another town.
In this guide, we've researched the best ways to sell quickly in Wauwatosa and outlined your options.
To get cash offers right now, sign up for Clever Offers. A local agent will gather and compare offers for you from leading We Buy Houses companies. Your agent will help you negotiate to get the best price and provide you with a free home valuation so you know what your home is worth on the open market.
What to expect when selling a home in Wauwatosa
In Wisconsin, homes usually sell the fastest during May and slowest during January.
To set expectations for your selling timeline in Wisconsin,, look at two factors:
- Median days on market: Number of days before a seller accepts an offer
- Average time to sell: Number of days on market until offer, plus the average number of days to close
Average time to sell a house in Wisconsin
In Wisconsin, the current average time to sell is 9.3% faster than than the national average.
» LEARN MORE: Average Time to Sell a House in Wisconsin
How to sell my house fast in Wauwatosa
Best option: Sell your house quickly with an agent
⚡ Quick facts: Selling with an agent
- Percentage of market value you’ll earn: 90–95%
- Average time to sell: 38 days
- Fees you’ll pay:
- Average listing commission: 2.66%
- Average buyer agent commission: 2.49%
- Average closing costs: 2.98%
Selling your home with a listing agent gives you the best chance to earn the most from your home sale. If you want to sell your home faster than the average 78 days, you'll probably have to list your home a little below market value.
Working with an agent has a few fees, including your agent's commission, the buyer's agent commission, and closing costs.
Selling with an agent is best for…
- People with homes in good condition
- People with at least 30 days to sell
- People who want to sell fast while making the most money
Tips to sell fast with an agent
The key to selling your home quickly is to work with an experienced agent who has a deep understanding of the local market. We asked Jess Lex of Jess Lex Homes-Keller Williams in Madison, WI for more advice about the process, and she recommends the following tips.
Set your price just below market value, but not too low. "Pricing significantly below market value can just be confusing for buyers and cause sellers to get too many offers so that sorting through them is difficult," says Lex. "Getting the home priced correctly right at market value will still allow for a quick sale and strong offers."
Use a professional stager as an inexpensive way to update your home's style. Lex says sellers should "at bare minimum be prepared to work with a stager and professional photographer, if their timeline allows."
Staging doesn't need to cost a fortune, either. Lex says "The reality is that stagers can come in and help sellers figure out what to do with their existing things. This consultation could include advice on decluttering, refreshing paint colors, rearranging furniture, and suggestions for accessories."
Stagers can lend sellers items if they're on a budget. "If the seller isn't willing to buy their own accessories to spruce up their home to sell, often the stager can bring in some accessories that will really give the home personality," says Lex. "This is a very cost-effective way to help your home stand out at the time of sale."
💸 How cash offers work
Cash offers are the fastest path to closing because the buyer doesn't need to get a loan. The financial institution doesn't have to spend time checking the buyer's financials (known as the underwriting process). There's also less risk of the buyer's financial situation changing in a way that puts the sale at risk.
When listing with an agent, you can state your preference for cash offers. Keep in mind, though, that this might limit the number of offers.
Cash buyers can be a good option if you need to unload an unwanted, distressed property fast. However, if you want to sell quickly without sacrificing a ton of equity, Clever is one of your best alternatives.
Clever sellers typically get offers 2.8 times faster than the national average AND save an average of $7,000 in realtor fees.
Option 2: Sell to a We Buy Houses company
⚡ Quick facts: Selling to a We Buy Houses company
- Percentage of market value you’ll earn: 50–70%
- Average time to sell: 3–21 days
- Fees you’ll need to pay: None
The quickest way to sell your home in Wauwatosa is to sell to a We Buy Houses company. These companies can guarantee a fast closing, sometimes in just a week or two, because they pay in cash. There's no need to wait for financing to be approved, like you might have to when selling to an individual.
The downside is that We Buy Houses companies pay only about 70% of the home's market value. These investors want to renovate the home and flip it for a profit, so they take their repair budget into account when providing an offer.
Just about all cash home buyers in Wauwatosa do business in the same way. After you reach out to the company, a representative will make an appointment to see your home in a few days. After the walkthrough, they'll provide you with a cash offer.
You're under no obligation to accept the offer, so get offers from several companies and compare.
We Buy Houses companies are best for…
- People who want to sell their homes in as-is condition
- Sellers with no iBuyer option in the region
- People with inherited homes (for more info, see our Stress-Free Guide to Selling an Inherited House)
How to choose a We Buy Houses for cash company in Wauwatosa
There are several cash buyer companies operating in Wauwatosa. Begin your search by taking a look at our top 6 We Buy Houses for Cash companies in Milwaukee.
When looking at companies, compare two things: reviews from past clients and how quickly they can close on your home. Some cash-for-homes companies in Wauwatosa can close in just a week, while others might take up to a month or more.
If you're wondering if We Buy Houses companies are a ripoff, you're not alone. Most cash buyer companies are legit investors. While their prices might seem like lowball offers, you can always decline. But to protect yourself, never sign anything before looking at an offer, and walk away if you feel like it might be the wrong decision for you.
Use Clever's free, no-obligation service to compare cash offers from top local companies with the help of a local real estate agent. You'll get a professional home valuation so you know what your home is worth, and an agent can negotiate on your behalf to make sure you get the best deal.
Why trust us
Jon Stubbs has spent hundreds of hours researching ways to sell homes quickly. This research includes interviewing real estate agents and representatives from iBuyers and cash buyer companies. The author has written dozens of articles on selling homes with a listing agent as well as non-traditional selling methods.
FAQs
What's the fastest I can sell my house in Wauwatosa?
You can sell your home in a week or two using a We Buy Houses company as long as you're willing to sacrifice about 30% of the market value. The fastest companies can close in a week, while others may take up to a month. Learn more about selling to a We Buy Houses company in Wauwatosa.
How can I sell my house fast in Wauwatosa?
You can sell your home in a few months using a listing agent who understands your need to sell quickly. You might need to price the home below market value to speed things along. If you're really in a hurry, you can sell to a cash buyer company that pays only about 70% of the home's value, but closes in weeks. Learn more about how to sell your home quickly in Wauwatosa.
