I Need to Sell My House Fast in Lakewood: What Are My Options?

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

Unsure if selling to a Lakewood house-buying company is the right move? Let’s take a look at some of the key benefits and downsides of this option:

Pros

• Sell fast: Cash buyers often provide a quick offer within 24 to 48 hours, so you can close the sale rapidly and on your own timeline.
• Skip repairs: You can sell the property as-is, avoiding the need for costly repairs or cosmetic improvements before listing.
• No staging or showings: There’s no need to worry about staging or scheduling showings, which means fewer disruptions to your daily life.
• Reduced or no closing fees: Many house-buying companies will offer to cover your closing costs, potentially saving you thousands in traditional seller fees.
• Can be a foreclosure solution: Selling to a cash buyer may help homeowners at risk of foreclosure regain financial stability and avoid losing their home.
• Flexible move-out dates: Many cash buyers offer flexibility in your move-out date, allowing you to set a timeline that suits your needs.
• No financing delays: Cash buyers don’t rely on mortgage approvals, which means there are fewer chances of delays or complications during the sale.

Cons

• Lower offers: Cash buyers typically offer below market value since they need a wide profit margin in order to flip the property.
• Less competition for your home: Selling to only one buyer might mean missing out on multiple offers, which could lead to a bidding war on your home.
• You give up control: Working with a cash buyer often means accepting the initial terms as offered, with little room for negotiation on price or conditions.
• A potential risk for scams: Not all companies operate ethically, so there is a potential risk of encountering house-buying scams.

Top agent Andrew Goldberg serves Denver and its surrounding markets, including Lakewood, Westminster, and Centennial, and has a track record of selling properties more than 33% faster than the average agent. Goldberg contributes his insights about the pros and cons of working with a cash buyer.

“Typically, if you get a cash offer, it’s good to get a second opinion of an agent so you know if you’re leaving money on the table in terms of doing this for convenience,” he suggests. “A lot of times, the cash offers are really easy and convenient, but a lot of times homeowners don’t know what they’re giving up and what’s possible.”

He also emphasizes that loan programs exist for sellers to fix up their homes with zero interest, and many homeowners don’t know about them. He advises looking into what assistance is available in your area to simplify the home-preparation process before settling for a cash offer.

Option 2: Hire a top Lakewood real estate agent

Even when you’re pressed for time, working with a top real estate agent in Lakewood can be a smart approach to selling your home quickly while achieving a competitive price. An experienced agent has a deep understanding of the Lakewood market and knows how to market your home to meet local buyer expectations. They’ll take on all the complex details and nuances of the sale, from crafting an appropriate pricing strategy to handling paperwork and negotiating with buyers, giving you time to focus on your next steps.

Curious how fast homes are selling in Lakewood? Up next, we’ll break down current market trends, outline the benefits of partnering with a real estate agent, and provide resources to help you find a top-performing professional in your area.

How fast are homes selling in Lakewood?

“Right now, about 25 percent of homes are selling within the first week, and those homes are typically move-in ready. But the majority of homes are not selling within the first week, and they’re taking between one to two months to sell,” says Goldberg.

As of September 2024, the median days on market (DOM) in Lakewood is 31 days. After going under contract, you can expect an additional 44 days to officially close the sale, bringing the total timeline to about two and a half months. With a relatively low housing inventory level of 2.7 months, demand outweighs supply in the Lakewood market — great news for sellers hoping to move fast.

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

*Does not include the typical 43 days a buyer needs to close on a purchase loan.

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

Benefits of selling with a top Lakewood agent

A top agent plays an instrumental role in helping your home stand out in Lakewood’s competitive market. With an in-depth knowledge of hyper-local trends and a broad network of resources, experienced agents can directly contribute to a faster and more profitable sale. Let’s take a look at some of the primary benefits of working with an agent.

• Accurate, effective pricing: “Pricing is about 90% of the marketing, and I find that sellers that overprice tend to sit on the market,” Goldberg says. An agent can help you set an accurate list price.
• Ability to sell for more: Through effective pricing strategies and an extensive network, agents can position your home to sell more quickly and attract higher offers.
• Can reduce days on market: Local agents use comparable Lakewood sales to accurately determine your home’s value, leading to reduced time on the market.
• Professional negotiation skills: Agents are expert negotiators, working tirelessly to secure the most favorable offer for your home sale and keeping the deal on track.
• Expert partner by your side: An experienced agent serves as your go-to for all questions and concerns, reducing stress and confusion throughout the process.
• Can advise on repairs: Agents know which repairs or improvements matter to Lakewood buyers, saving you time and money on unnecessary upgrades.
• Elevated marketing: With advanced marketing strategies like professional photography and social media campaigns, agents can significantly boost your home’s visibility.
• Contract savviness: A real estate professional understands the complexities of real estate contracts, walking you through tricky financing terms and closing costs.
• Can manage documents and disclosures: A skilled agent is familiar with Colorado’s specific legal requirements, ensuring you have completed all required paperwork.
• Network of skilled professionals: Top agents can connect you to reliable contractors, inspectors, and stagers to efficiently prepare your home for the market.

How to find a top Lakewood real estate agent

Finding the right real estate agent to take on your unique home-selling situation is a critical component of a successful sale. If you don’t know where to look, HomeLight’s Agent Match platform could provide the perfect solution. This platform takes data from over 27 million transactions and past client reviews to match you with agents in the top 5% of Lakewood’s market. Whether your goal is to sell as fast as possible or maximize your sale price, HomeLight can guide you to the ideal partner for your home sale.

Expert agent tips to help sell your Lakewood house fast

To attract buyers quickly in Lakewood’s competitive market, it’s essential to align your home with local buyer preferences. Here are some expert strategies to help sell your home faster:

• Avoid overpricing: According to Goldberg, most sellers who overprice their home are forced to reduce it later. “It gets a lot harder to gain traction when you’re so far back on the market after you’ve been sitting for a while,” he says.
• Showcase outdoor spaces: Buyers appreciate outdoor living spaces to soak up Lakewood’s natural beauty. Highlight patios, pools, decks, and gardens to amp up the charm.
• Make a great first impression: Curb appeal matters. Simple improvements like fresh landscaping, a power-washed exterior, and a newly painted front door can create a strong first impression.
• Stage for remote workers: To appeal to Colorado’s influx of remote workers, consider staging a functional home office space or cozy work nook.
• Get a pre-sale inspection: A pre-listing inspection can identify issues before buyers do, helping you address any concerns upfront and skip delays in the negotiation process.
• Offer a home warranty: Providing a home warranty can often reassure buyers that all major systems are in good working condition, making your home a stronger contender.
• Make your home move-in ready: “[Buyers] don’t want to take on a high payment and have projects due to interest rates and prices still remaining relatively high,” Goldberg says.
• Use high-quality photos: In Lakewood’s fast-moving market, high-quality listing photos can garner attention for your home and make it stand out to buyers browsing online.
• Consider timing: Lakewood’s market can ebb and flow seasonally. Consult your agent or use HomeLight’s Best Time to Sell Calculator to determine the optimal time to list for a faster sale.

In addition to the above, Goldberg recommends a few Lakewood-specific tips to help your home stand out.

“For Lakewood in particular, I think showcasing proximity to the mountains. And in terms of marketing, doing drone photography, doing tri-light photography, doing an all-encompassing marketing plan, doing a ‘Coming Soon’ marketing plan, and having a marketing strategy that lasts more than a week,” he advises.

Goldberg points out that some sellers and agents got too used to the pandemic market, where the standard “marketing plan” was simply to list the home online, hold one open house, and receive almost instant offers. Lakewood’s market isn’t operating like that anymore.

“Now, there has to be a continuous marketing plan that’s stretched out for 30, 60, 90 days expecting to keep the property in front of buyers in the area,” he says.

Ready to sell your Lakewood house fast?

Whether you’re leaning toward a cash offer or partnering with a top real estate agent, the key to a successful home sale in Lakewood is finding the right approach to meet your individual needs.

• For homeowners seeking a fast, hassle-free sale, a cash offer through HomeLight’s Simple Sale can provide a straightforward solution.
• If you’re aiming to fetch the highest price, a top Lakewood agent will ensure your home is strategically marketed and priced to sell. HomeLight can connect you with qualified agents in the Lakewood market.

Still unsure which path to take? We suggest comparing both options side by side. Seeing a cash offer next to an agent’s marketing strategy will give you a clearer picture of what each approach entails.

While selling your Lakewood home often can feel overwhelming, especially when time is tight, you now have the helpful resources and expert advice to navigate the selling process with ease. With a clear overview of your choices, you are well-equipped to tackle a speedy and successful sale in the Lakewood market.

Header Image Source: (welcomia / Deposit Photos)