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

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

Contemplating if selling your Syracuse home to a local house-buying company is the right choice? To help guide your decision, here’s a quick rundown of the most significant benefits and potential disadvantages of this approach:

Pros

• Sell fast: Cash sales in Syracuse can expedite the process, potentially closing the deal in days rather than months.
• Skip repairs: House-buying companies typically buy homes as-is, freeing you from performing costly and time-consuming repairs.
• Easy process: These companies streamline the process from start to finish, reducing paperwork and complexities.
• No staging or showings: You won’t have to prepare your home for showings, open houses, or handle any staging.
• Flexible move-out dates: Most Syracuse companies allow for adjustable move-out dates that work with your schedule.
• No financing delays: Cash transactions eliminate the mortgage approval process.
• Reduced or no closing fees: Many house-buying companies shoulder most, if not all, closing costs.
• Sale is guaranteed: A cash sale is almost always guaranteed, without contingencies that can delay or kill a traditional home sale.
• Can be a foreclosure solution: If you’re facing looming foreclosure, a quick sale can offer a quick solution.
• Less work than a FSBO sale: Working with a house-buying company is far less effort than selling your home on your own.
• Peace of mind: Quick sales can alleviate stress and give you peace of mind.

Cons

• Lower offers: You will likely receive less than market value for your Syracuse home.
• Less competition for your home: With a single buyer, there’s no chance for bidding wars.
• Can face hidden fees: Some companies may impose undisclosed fees.
• Not all companies are reputable: Watch out for less reputable companies that may be operating in Syracuse.
• A potential risk for scams: Do your research to ensure you’re dealing with a legitimate company.
• You give up control: The buyer dictates the sale terms, leaving you with less control.
• No negotiations: Often, the initial offer is the final offer, so you can’t negotiate on price.

Option 2: Hire a top Syracuse real estate agent

Even when time is ticking by, partnering with a skilled real estate agent can be a game-changing decision to sell your Syracuse home. A seasoned agent possesses an unparalleled understanding of the Syracuse housing market, steering you toward a more rapid sale with higher profits.

Dylan Wise is a top-performing Syracuse agent with 12 years of experience and has a track record of completing 29% more sales than the average local agent. He weighs in on the perks of hiring a real estate agent to increase exposure for your home.

“The guidance and experience that agents can provide, obviously having access to the MLS and some of the websites that all of the listings filter down through, is going to get you so much more exposure than anything you could do on your own,” he says.

Let’s take a quick look at the current market conditions in Syracuse, the primary benefits of selling with a real estate professional, and how to identify a top-performing agent in your local area.

How fast are homes selling in Syracuse?

As of September 2024, the median days on market (DOM) in Syracuse is 20 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 months.

Because New York is an attorney state, the process from contract to closing can take longer than an average sale. Wise recommends updating the title, deed survey, and abstracts prior to receving an offer to avoid further delays.

Currently, the median home price in Syracuse is $250,000, while the inventory level hovers around 2.5 months. This indicates a market that is tipped in favor of sellers, where homes are moving quickly and demand outweighs supply.

“Our inventory is very low right now — we have about two to three months of inventory supply,” says Wise. This low inventory level is great news for sellers who hope to move fast in the Syracuse market.

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

*Does not include the typical 44 days a buyer needs to close on a purchase loan.

Data source(s): Estimates gathered from multiple Syracuse housing market data sources.
Greater Syracuse Association of REALTORS, World Population Review

Benefits of selling with a top Syracuse agent

One of the most promising ways to ensure a quick home sale is to work with a top Syracuse real estate agent. They possess the knowledge and skills that can not only facilitate a speedy sale but also maximize the final price for your property. Let’s look at some of the key advantages that make working with a top-rated agent in Syracuse a smart choice.

• Ability to sell for more: A seasoned agent can leverage their knowledge of the local Syracuse market to help you determine an optimal price that attracts buyers and heightens your returns.
• Can generate a speedy sale: Through their extensive network and marketing strategies, a top agent can quickly find serious buyers for your home.
• Accurate, effective pricing: With a deep understanding of market dynamics and pricing trends in Syracuse, 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 accelerate the sale process and secure a favorable deal for you.
• Expert partner by your side: An experienced Syracuse agent can serve as your guide through the selling process, easing stress and saving you time.
• Will know what to fix and not fix: A knowledgeable agent can advise you which repairs or improvements are essential to boost your home’s appeal without wasting time on unnecessary fixes.
• Elevated marketing: A top Syracuse agent will use professional marketing techniques, such as high-quality photography and social media, to reach a wider audience quickly.
• Contract savviness: Seasoned agents are adept at working through real estate contracts, ensuring all terms are favorable and speeding up the closing process.
• Can manage documents and disclosures: Handling all the paperwork can be overwhelming. A top-rated Syracuse agent can swiftly manage these tasks, freeing up your time to focus on other priorities.
• Network of skilled professionals: Locally connected agents have a network of trusted professionals in Syracuse, like inspectors, contractors, and stagers, to help prepare your home for listing.

Even if you are leaning toward requesting a cash offer for your Syracuse home, top professionals like Wise recommend you consult with an agent first, as they have connections with several investors and cash buyers in the local area.

“Working with agents throughout trying to find a cash buyer can be very beneficial in the sense that we work with a lot of investors that do buy homes for cash and understand the process,” he says.

How to find a top Syracuse real estate agent

Finding the right real estate agent in Syracuse can make all the difference in a prompt and profitable home sale. HomeLight’s Agent Match platform is designed to help. By analyzing 27 million real estate transactions and thousands of reviews, we can connect you with top-rated agents who understand the ins and outs of the Syracuse market. Whether you’re selling your home or looking to buy a new one, HomeLight can lead you to the perfect agent for your needs.

Expert agent tips to help sell your Syracuse house fast

Top real estate agents are skilled in marketing Syracuse properties for a fast sale. Below, you’ll find insider tips recommended by leading agents, tailored to Syracuse’s unique lifestyle and market conditions:

• Capitalize on your home’s energy efficiency: New Yorkers are increasingly conscious of energy efficiency. Highlight any energy-saving features of your home, from storm 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 recommendations on what will make it most appealing to local buyers. Wise advises turning an extra bedroom into a cozy home office space to appeal to remote workers.
• Prioritize outdoor spaces: Wise recommends highlighting “outdoor entertaining areas such as a gazebo or patio with a built-in grill. People really seem to want to be outdoors a little bit more,” he remarks. Be sure to show off any additional outdoor features, such as decks, firepits, or a well-tended garden, to help your home stand out.
• Emphasize proximity to local attractions: Highlight your home’s location in relation to Syracuse University or cultural landmarks like Clinton Square.
• Get a pre-listing home inspection: Top agents like Wise recommend conducting a professional home inspection, radon test, and termite inspection before listing. However, check with your agent about seller disclosure rules in New York.
• Weather-proof your home: “We deal with a lot of rougher weather than some other areas when it comes to rain and moisture. Having maintenance-free items such as composite decking, PVC rollings, and metal roofs — these are things that buyers enjoy,” Wise recommends.
• Use professional photography: Especially in Syracuse’s increasingly competitive market, high-quality photos can make your listing pop online and attract more potential buyers.
• Consider timing: Syracuse’s housing market can ebb and flow seasonally. Consult with your agent to choose the optimal time to list your home. You can also check out HomeLight’s Best Time to Sell Calculator.

Ready to sell your Syracuse house fast?

The correct path to a quick sale depends on your unique home-selling situation and goals.

• If speed is your top priority, a cash offer through HomeLight’s Simple Sale could be your ticket to a fast, streamlined transaction in Syracuse.
• On the other hand, if you’re looking to maximize your profits, engaging a seasoned real estate agent who knows the Syracuse market can ensure your home is marketed effectively and priced to move quickly. HomeLight can connect you with top-rated agents in the ‘Cuse.

Still weighing your options between working with a cash buyer or a top agent? It’s worth considering both. Comparing a cash offer from Simple Sale with an agent’s opinion can give you a comprehensive view of both approaches.

Armed with expert knowledge, valuable resources, and a clear picture of your options, you’re in an ideal spot to navigate a fast and successful home sale in Syracuse.

If you’re trying to sell your home fast in Syracuse 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.