Sell your house off-market in Tampa Bay
When it’s time to sell your Tampa Bay area house, you have more than one option.
What is an off-market sale?
Off-market buyers are companies that purchase houses without going through the traditional real estate market. In most cases, sellers contact these companies directly. The off-market buyer evaluates the property, be it through a computer algorithm or a home walkthrough. If the property matches up with what the off-market buyer is looking for, they’ll make an offer.
If you're looking for a local off-market house buyer, look no further than We Buy Ugly Houses® in Tampa Bay. With over 150,000 houses purchased off-market nationwide, We Buy Ugly Houses can answer questions and help to steer you on your house selling journey.
We Buy ugly houses® proven process
How to sell a house fast in three easy steps
Book A Consultation
We start with a free, no-obligation visit where we’ll answer all your questions.
Get An Offer
After a walkthrough of your property, we can make you a fast offer.
Close Fast
We can sometimes close in as little as three weeks, or later if you need more time.
What makes off-market buyers different?
There are a couple of key points that make off-market buyers such as We Buy Ugly Houses® different than traditional buyers.
- Off-market buyers are more likely to buy houses “as is.” While a traditional buyer can get scared away by major code violations or plumbing issues (or might not be able to pass the lender inspection even if they want the house), off-market buyers frequently purchase houses that would be hard to sell on the open real estate market.
- Off-market buyers buy houses all the time, which can make the process of selling smoother for the homeowner.
For Tampa, St. Pete, and Sarasota sellers, this can mean an easier home sale that leaves less up to chance.
The benefits of selling off-market in Tampa Bay
Most sellers opt for a traditional real estate sale on the open market. They hire an agent, get their house photographed, and list the property on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Other sellers choose the FSBO (for sale by owner) route. The FSBO process is similar, only the buyer doesn’t have a real estate agent to help them with the marketing and the paperwork.
Traditional real estate sales are great for some sellers, not so great for others. If a seller is facing significant repairs, like water damage or a bad electrical system, getting a house ready to list can be a major expense. If the seller just inherited a house in Tampa, St. Pete, or Sarasota that needs to be cleared out, deep cleaned, and repainted, getting their house on the market can be an equally serious undertaking. Additionally, sellers who need to relocate quickly might not want to wait around for the right buyer. From sudden life changes to personal preference, there are several reasons that the traditional market might not be right for everyone.
These sellers might not realize that they have a second option—to make an off-market sale. In an off-market sale, also called a direct sale, the property owner sells with an off-market buying company like We Buy Ugly Houses®. Let’s discuss the advantages of an off-market sale and situations where an off-market buyer might be right for you.
How off-market buyers can help sellers.
Selling off-market comes with advantages. These include:
Removing the strain of stagings, showings, and open houses
Off-market buyers are making a business decision about your property and don’t need to be wooed by a perfectly staged, immaculately clean house. This can add up to a lot less work for the seller.
Not having to make updates, renovations, and major repairs
When you sell “as is,” you don’t have to hire contractors, invest in repairs, or make cosmetic improvements you won’t be around to enjoy.
Not having to pay real estate commissions
According to Fivewalls, the average real estate commission in the Tampa Bay area is 6%. For a $300,000 house, that adds up to $18,000. Since there are no real estate agents involved in an off-market home sale unless the seller wants one, the seller won’t need to pay a commission. Some off-market companies charge the seller other fees. Companies like We Buy Ugly Houses do not.†
An easier transaction
Unlike traditional buyers who are looking for a home to live in, off-market buyers are in the business of purchasing real estate. They usually know what they’re looking for and are invested in making the sales process fast and convenient for everyone involved.
Off-market buyers are good for people who are after a quick, hassle-free sale. They also attract sellers who face obstacles related to their home’s value.
What is your Tampa Bay area house worth?
Whether you sell off-market or not, knowing your house’s value is always a good idea. Two of the better ways to figure home value out are through appraisals and comparative market analyses (CMAs).
In an appraisal, a professional appraiser prepares a report based on your house’s condition, floor plan, square footage, neighborhood, and other factors. Appraisals can be considered very reliable and usually cost around $350, according to Angi.com.
Comparative market analysis uses a formula where you calculate home value by looking at similar houses that were sold in the last 6 months, adjusting the value based on 250-square-foot intervals. Real estate agents use CMAs (a.k.a. comps) to recommend a listing price.
Your house’s final sales price might not match up with the appraised or comp value. In a seller’s market with a lot of demand, a house could fetch more than the appraised value would lead you to believe. Similarly, a house could go for less than the comps suggest if it needs major repairs or is close to a school zone or busy road.
Something to remember is that high value doesn’t necessarily equal high price. A quaint 2-bedroom, 1-bath starter home in Tampa Bay might never sell for as much as a beachfront property. However, if there are enough people in the market for a house like that, the 2-1 can be called a high-value house. A 4-bedroom, 3-bath house with a lot of cosmetic problems might have lower value, even though it has the type of floor plan that should sell for more.
Is selling off-market right for you?
If you are comfortable with your house’s value and can weather the ups and downs of the Tampa Bay area real estate market (including waiting around for your house to sell), a traditional home sale might be the way to go. If you want something closer to a fast, “as is” sale, selling with an off-market buyer can be a smart move.
Confidence working with America's trusted home buyer
My company has the experience and resources to solve problems that may pop up.
Convenience of selling your house 'as is'
You don't have to spend a dime getting your home "show ready." I see houses in all types of conditions.
A customized offer that fits your needs
I put you first with a custom solution. If you accept my offer, get 3 days to make sure it's right for you.
Community knowledge and local expertise
I am located in the area, so my franchise has expert knowledge of your market to make an offer.
How to sell your house off-market in Tampa Bay to us
If an off-market sale sounds right for your situation, the We Buy Ugly Houses® team in Tampa Bay is here to help. We buy many kinds of properties, including condos, duplexes, single-family homes, and even some commercial real estate. We buy houses “as is,” which means you don’t need to clean or make repairs. We’ll work to make it a fast sale and can sometimes close in as little as 3 weeks.
Getting started is simple. Contact us to schedule an initial walkthrough. One of our team members will head to your address, take a look around, and answer any questions you might have. We can make offers quickly, sometime even on the same day as our visit.
Let's talk about how we can help you.
With over 29 years in business across the US and more than 150,000 house purchased nationwide, We Buy Ugly Houses is the off-market buyer that Tampa, St. Pete, and Sarasota homeowners trust. Get in touch with us today to find out how easy selling your house can be!
