How to Sell My House Fast in Bakersfield: Cash Offer Options

2 weeks ago 9

Selling your home in Bakersfield can be an intimidating process, especially when you’re facing an impending deadline. Whether you need to move rapidly for a job relocation, are facing unexpected financial difficulties, or are simply in need of a life change, this guide is designed specifically to help those on a tight timeline sell fast in Bakersfield’s dynamic market.

We understand that life can be unpredictable and may require quick decisions. This post will provide actionable strategies and practical tips to expedite your home sale in Bakersfield, from exploring the pros and cons of receiving an immediate cash offer to the perks of working with local real estate agents. We’ll also provide exclusive insights from local real estate pro Bart Tipton to help you navigate the unique Bakersfield market for a successful and speedy home sale.

Sell Your House Fast in Bakersfield With a Cash Offer

Get an all-cash, no-obligation offer through HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform whenever you’re ready. Receive your offer in 24 hours and close in as few as 10 days. No showings, no repairs, no open houses. Available to sellers throughout Bakersfield.

Why you might need to sell your Bakersfield house fast

Here are a few common circumstances in which Bakersfield homeowners might need to expedite their selling timeline:

Relocation: You’ve accepted a new job opportunity out of state and need to sell your current house to facilitate the move.
Financial hardship: You’re facing unexpected financial pressures, and selling your home can offer much-needed relief.
Estate sale: You’ve inherited a home in Bakersfield and wish to offload it quickly to avoid ongoing maintenance and tax costs.
Divorce settlement: Your marital status has changed, and selling the home allows for an uncomplicated division of assets.
Health issues: Sudden health changes or upcoming retirement may require moving to a more accessible home or closer to medical facilities.
Avoiding foreclosure: You’re behind on mortgage payments, and selling the house can prevent an impending foreclosure.
Downsizing: Your lifestyle preferences have changed, and you’re looking to move into a smaller, more manageable home.

Option 1: Request a cash offer for your Bakersfield home

Attempting to navigate a traditional home sale in the Bakersfield market can be time-consuming and complex. Luckily, many homeowners have turned to an alternate option: getting a cash offer for their house. Modern real estate services like HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform can connect Bakersfield homeowners with cash buyers in their market, accelerating the process and making it possible to sell your house quickly and easily.

With Simple Sale, the timing is in your hands. You can select your move-out date and, in most cases, close the sale in as few as 10 days. To jump-start the process, simply answer a few questions about your Bakersfield home and selling timeline, and you’ll receive a no-obligation all-cash offer in as little as 24 hours. It’s a streamlined and convenient way to sell your home fast in Bakersfield.

The process of a cash offer in Bakersfield

In Bakersfield, a cash sale can offer a simplified path to selling your home, allowing you to sidestep the traditional mortgage process altogether. The buyer already has the required funds on hand to purchase your home, which greatly reduces the transaction timeline. They’ll start by assessing your home’s condition and market value before extending a cash offer. After you accept, the sale can close quickly, bypassing the typical wait for mortgage approvals, inspections, or appraisals common in traditional Bakersfield home sales.

For example, here are the three straightforward steps in the Simple Sale process:

Who else buys houses for cash in Bakersfield?

There are a number of established house-buying companies and investor groups that will pay cash for your Bakersfield home. Here are a few examples of Southern California-based companies that can fast-track your home sale:

While you can also spend time searching the internet for additional house-buying companies, a more efficient option is to use HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform. Simple Sale connects homeowners with the largest network of trusted cash buyers in the U.S., saving time and giving you peace of mind about who you’re working with.

Pros and cons of selling to a Bakersfield house-buying company

Contemplating if selling your home to a Bakersfield house-buying company is the right move for you? To help guide your decision-making, here’s a quick breakdown of the most notable advantages, as well as the potential pitfalls of this approach:

Pros

Sell fast: Cash buyers in Bakersfield can expedite the selling process, potentially closing the deal in days rather than months.
Skip repairs: House-buying companies usually buy homes as-is, freeing you from costly and time-consuming repairs.
Easy process: These companies streamline the process, reducing paperwork and complexities.
No staging or showings: You don’t need to prepare your home for showings, open houses, or handle any staging.
Flexible move-out dates: Most Bakersfield companies allow for adjustable move-out dates.
No financing delays: Cash transactions eliminate potential delays caused by mortgage approvals.
Reduced or no closing fees: Many house-buying companies will offer to cover most, if not all, of your closing costs.
Sale is guaranteed: Once you accept the offer on your Bakersfield home, the sale is almost always promised, without contingencies that can delay or kill a traditional home sale.
Can be a foreclosure solution: If you’re facing a potential foreclosure, a fast sale can offer an easy way out.
Less work than a FSBO sale: A cash sale is much less effort than selling your home on your own.
Peace of mind: Quick sales can alleviate stress and provide peace of mind.

Cons

Lower offers: You will typically receive less than market value for your Bakersfield home.
Less competition for your home: With a single buyer, there’s no opportunity for bidding wars.
Can face hidden fees: Some companies may impose hidden fees.
Not all companies are reputable: Beware of unethical companies that may be operating in Bakersfield.
A potential risk for scams: Do thorough research and make sure you’re dealing with a legitimate buyer.
You give up control: The buyer dictates terms, leaving you with less control.
No negotiations: Often, the initial offer is the final offer, so you lose the chance to negotiate.

Top-selling Bakersfield agent Bart Tipton has over 15 years of real estate experience and works with 74% more single-family homes than the average local agent. He emphasizes the con that cash buyers will typically pay less than market value for your home.

“Most of them are not going to give you top dollar. Yes, it’s quick and fast, but you’re going to shortchange yourself on pricing,” he says.

Option 2: Hire a top Bakersfield real estate agent

Even when the clock is ticking to sell your house in Bakersfield, partnering with a skilled real estate agent can be a game-changing decision. An experienced agent possesses a honed understanding of the Bakersfield housing market and its unique trends, steering you toward a faster sale while working to maximize your final price.

“Obviously, you’re going to get the market expertise of knowing the area and knowing how to price it, knowing how to get it out in front of as many people as possible, and the ability to show it in its best light. We do the professional photography, so that’s going to help a bunch too in showing the house,” Tipton remarks.

Below, we’ll take a quick look at current market conditions in Bakersfield. We’ll also cover the primary benefits of selling with a real estate professional and how to identify a top-tier agent in your local area.

How fast are homes selling in Bakersfield?

As of September 2024, the median days on market (DOM) in Bakersfield is 29 days. The DOM represents the time between listing your house and receiving a signed contract. Once a home goes under contract, it typically takes an additional 44 days for buyers to finalize their purchase loan and officially close the process, bringing the total selling timeline to about two and a half months.

Currently, the median home price in Bakersfield is $403,000, while the sale-to-list ratio hovers at 100%. This indicates a market that is tipped slightly in favor of sellers, where homes are moving steadily, and sellers are recouping their list price in full.

Here is a snapshot of current real estate conditions in Bakersfield:

	As of September 2024
Days on market (average time from list to contract)	29 days*
Median home sale price	$403,000
List price vs. sale price	100.0%
Number of closed home sales year over year	-6.1%
Number of active listings with reduced prices	37.6%
Population growth year over year	+0.65%

*DOM average of multiple public transaction sites. Does not include the typical 44 days a buyer needs to close on a purchase loan.

Data source(s): California Association of Realtors, World Population Review

Benefits of selling with a top Bakersfield agent

One of the most promising ways to guarantee a quick home sale is through working with a top Bakersfield real estate agent. These professionals boast the refined knowledge and skills not only to facilitate a rapid sale but also to secure a higher price for your property. Let’s take a look at some of the key advantages that make teaming up with a seasoned agent in Bakersfield a smart choice.

Ability to sell for more: An experienced agent can leverage their knowledge of the local Bakersfield market to help you set an optimal price that attracts buyers and boosts your returns.
Can generate a speedy sale: Through their diverse network and extensive marketing strategies, a top agent can quickly find interested buyers for your home.
Accurate, effective pricing: With a deep understanding of market dynamics and pricing trends in Bakersfield, an experienced agent can help you price your home effectively to ensure a quick sale.
Professional negotiation skills: Top agents have honed negotiation skills that can expedite the process and secure the most favorable deal for your sale.
Expert partner by your side: A top Bakersfield agent will guide you through the home selling process, answering your questions and easing stress along the way.
Will know what to fix and not fix: A knowledgeable agent can advise you on essential repairs or improvements that can enhance your home’s appeal without wasting time on unnecessary fixes. “Make sure that any noticeable repairs are done ahead of time that would stand out to anybody walking through the house,” Tipton says.
Elevated marketing: A top Bakersfield agent will use professional marketing techniques, such as professional photography and targeted advertising, to reach a wider audience quickly.
Contract savviness: Seasoned agents are skilled at handling real estate contracts, ensuring all terms are beneficial and speeding up the closing process.
Can manage documents and disclosures: Handling all the paperwork can be time-consuming. A top-rated Bakersfield agent can manage these tasks for you, freeing up time in your schedule.
Network of skilled professionals: Locally connected agents have a network of trusted professionals in Bakersfield, such as inspectors, contractors, and stagers, who can help prepare your home for the market swiftly.

Even if you are leaning toward requesting a cash offer for your Bakersfield home, top professionals like Tipton recommend you consult with an agent first.

“[Cash buyers] are in the market to make money, so their big thing is to get it in the least amount possible. Have an agent on your side. Their goal is to get the most money possible for their clients,” Tipton advises.

How to find a top Bakersfield real estate agent

Finding the right real estate agent to partner with in Bakersfield can make all the difference in a quick and profitable home sale. HomeLight’s Agent Match platform is designed to help. By analyzing over 27 million real estate transactions and thousands of client reviews, we can connect you with top-rated agents who know the nuances of the Bakersfield market. Whether you’re selling your home or buying a new one, let HomeLight match you with the perfect agent for your needs.

Expert agent tips to help sell your Bakersfield house fast

Top real estate agents in Bakersfield know how to position a property for a fast sale. Below are expert tips recommended by leading agents, tailored to Bakersfield’s unique lifestyle and market conditions:

Capitalize on your home’s energy efficiency: Californians are increasingly conscious of energy efficiency. Highlight any energy-saving features of your home, from solar panels and windows to efficient heating and cooling systems.
Stage an inviting home office: Have your listing agent and a professional home stager do a walkthrough of your home to give perspective and recommendations on what will make it most appealing to local buyers. In Bakersfield, that often means showcasing a comfortable home office space for remote workers.
Declutter your home: “Make sure it’s decluttered. I mean, having a cluttered house is like a kiss of death. The bigger it feels, the cleaner it looks,” Tipton says. If you need inspiration for how to clean and declutter your house, consider following this helpful guide.
Showcase garden- or farm-friendly features: If your property has agricultural potential, emphasize it. Bakersfield’s rich farming history can attract buyers looking for homes with large garden spaces or room for small-scale farming.
Prioritize outdoor spaces: Highlighting your home’s outdoor living areas is more important than ever, especially in Southern California’s warm climate. Show off your property’s pool, deck, patio, and any other outdoor features that are ideal for relaxing and entertaining guests.
Emphasize proximity to local attractions: Highlight your home’s location in relation to Bakersfield’s renowned cultural landmarks, like the historic Fox Theater.
Boost your curb appeal: Don’t underestimate that positive first impression. “Stand out with curb appeal. Put bark or increase landscaping and color, put flowers out front,” Tipton suggests.
Get a pre-listing home inspection: Top agents like Tipton recommend conducting a professional home inspection, radon test, and termite inspection before listing. However, check with your agent about seller disclosure rules in California.
Use professional photography: Especially in Bakersfield’s increasingly competitive market, high-quality photos can make your listing stand out on digital real estate platforms and attract more potential buyers.
Be flexible with showings: “Also be flexible on showings. If you can only show it Monday and Thursday from five o’clock to seven o’clock, that’s obviously going to hurt your ability to get as many people in there as possible,” Tipton warns.
Consider timing: Bakersfield’s housing market can have seasonal fluctuations. Consult with your agent to choose the optimal time to list your home, or check out HomeLight’s Best Time to Sell Calculator.

Ready to sell your Bakersfield house fast?

Your best route to a fast home sale depends on your individual needs and goals.

If speed is your top priority, a cash offer through HomeLight’s Simple Sale could be your ticket to a fast, uncomplicated transaction in Bakersfield.
On the other hand, if you’re looking to optimize your profits, engaging with an experienced real estate agent who knows the Bakersfield market can ensure your home is marketed effectively. HomeLight can connect you with top-rated agents in Bakersfield.

Still trying to decide between a cash offer or working with an agent? It’s worth considering both! Seeing a cash offer from Simple Sale alongside a seasoned agent’s opinion can give you a comprehensive look at your options.

Now that you’re armed with the expert knowledge, useful resources, and actionable strategies to achieve a swift home sale, you’re in a prime position to take on Bakersfield’s dynamic market with confidence and speed.

If you’re trying to sell your home fast in Bakersfield because you’re buying and selling at the same time, check out HomeLight’s Buy Before You Sell program. This innovative buy-sell solution lets you make a faster, stronger, non-contingent offer on your new home and only move once. Watch this short video to learn more.

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