Definition of "What is a cash offer?"

Wondering what is the cash offer definition?

Well, the cash offer definition is pretty much what it says, an offer made in cash.

But aren’t all offers cash? No one buys a house giving cows in return for the property…

Actually, you’d be surprised how many people do exactly just that. Cattle is valuable. Plus, in the end, it’s also money. What the cash offer definition really means is that the home buyer will seek no financing (mortgage) in order to pay for the house. The money is coming straight out of his or her pocket and going to the home seller. Just like as if you were buying something in the supermarket; a simple cash for merchandise transaction.

So, a cash offer is something that is interesting for home sellers because it speeds up the closing process by a lot. When the home buyer does it through a mortgage process, it will take weeks from the home buyer saying “I do” to the money arriving in the home seller’s account. And it might happen that the home buyer doesn’t get approved so it’s back to square one. Cash offers can be done in 3 days.

With all of that, for the home buyer, a cash offer can be a necessary measure to beat the competition. And you know what? It’s also good to know that you won’t put your house as real estate collateral.

But the reality is that cash flow is always important, so the real reason why home buyers do cash offers is only one: to bargain a better price. It’s seducing for Home Sellers to receive at once all that money and finish the angst that is the home selling process. What if the next person that makes an offer on the house starts to bother with real estate contingencies related to a new and lengthy home inspection as a way to lower the price anyway? Worse: what if no one else makes an offer on the house? Better to close it for a little less, right? Cash offer is money in the pocket for the home seller and a chance for the home buyer with funds to make the investment even better.

Real Estate Advice:

Read our article that goes deep into the question of buying a house with cash vs. mortgage to figure out which is better suited for you. If still in doubt, contact one of our real estate agents to consult!

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Real Estate Questions

Popular Real Estate Glossary Terms

Ambiguous contractual language that may result in an unsuspecting buyer of a real property incurring obligations or risks not clearly evident. ...

Cash earnings generated from a real estate investment or property. Cash earnings equals cash revenue less cash expense. The cash earnings may or may not be discounted to its present value ...

To enter illegally. For example, entering property without permission. ...

When answering the question of what is a real estate investor, several aspects should be considered. First, a real estate investor, also known as a real estate entrepreneur, allocates ...

Maximum credit a prospective buyer may be given. An example is the maximum mortgage a prospective home buyer may receive from the bank. ...

Roof with one side that is at a sloped angle. ...

Leasing commercial or industrial real estate can be a perplexing process. As a tenant (and as a landlord,) you must consider several aspects before actually signing the deal. Even top local ...

One who purchases an option. For example, John pays Brian $10,000 for an option to purchase property at $100,000 within six months. ...

Form of zoning regulation permitting all the uses permitted in more restrictive zoning to also apply to less restrictive zoning. The net affect of pyramid zoning is to pyramid only a few ...