Whether you want maximum price or maximum speed, the path you choose changes everything. This guide breaks down every option so you can make the right call for your situation.
Speed and price usually pull in opposite directions. Cash buyers close fastest — sometimes in 7 days — while traditional listings typically take 30–60 days depending on market conditions. Understanding the tradeoffs helps you pick the right path.
7–14
Days to close with a cash buyer
Typical ARS timeline
39
Average days on market nationwide in 2024
Redfin 2024 Market Analysis
32%
Of all home sales in early 2024 were all-cash
National Association of REALTORS®
Three main paths exist for selling your property:
Method
Cash Buyer (ARS)
With an Agent
FSBO
Typical timeline
7–21 days
30–60 days
60–90+ days
Repairs required
None
Sometimes
Often needed
Commissions / fees
None
3–6% commission
Minimal
Showings & staging
None
Multiple showings
Self-managed
Certainty of sale
Very high
Moderate
Lower
Best for
Speed & certainty
Balanced outcome
Experienced sellers
The speed-price tradeoff is real but often overstated. Research from UC San Diego (2024) found all-cash buyers pay roughly 10% below financed buyers — but when you factor out commissions, repairs, holding costs, and months of mortgage payments during a traditional sale, the net difference is often much smaller than it appears.
Section 02
Selling to a cash buyer
Cash buyers purchase properties without mortgage financing, which eliminates the biggest source of delays and deal failures in a traditional sale. ARS is a direct cash buyer — we assess your property, make a fair offer, and close on your timeline.
1
Submit your property details
Enter your address and basic property information at alpharealtysolutions.com/seller. Takes about 60 seconds. No commitment required.
2
Receive your preliminary offer
Our team reviews your property against current market data and contacts you — usually within 24–48 hours — with a no-obligation cash offer. No pressure, no sales tactics.
3
Property walkthrough (if needed)
For most properties, we schedule a quick walkthrough to confirm condition and finalize the offer. The home is purchased as-is — you don’t need to fix, clean, or stage anything.
4
Accept & pick your closing date
Once you accept, we sign a purchase agreement and open title. You choose the closing date — as fast as 7 days, or longer if you need time to arrange your next move.
5
Close & get paid
Closing happens through a licensed Georgia title company. Funds are wired to you at closing. No commissions, no closing costs, no surprises.
Watch out for scams. ARS never charges upfront fees, never asks you to wire money, and never pressures you to sign same-day. If anyone claiming to represent a cash buyer asks for money before closing, walk away and report it. Learn how to spot real estate fraud →
How to verify a cash buyer is legitimate
Request proof of funds
Any credible cash buyer will provide a bank statement or letter of credit showing they have the funds available before you sign anything.
Verify a physical business address
Legitimate buyers operate from a real location — not just a phone number or PO box. Google them, check reviews, and confirm a real business presence.
Insist on a title company closing
All Georgia real estate closings should go through a licensed title company. Never hand over keys or deeds outside of a proper closing.
Section 03
Selling with a real estate agent
Working with an experienced agent gives you access to the MLS, professional marketing, and a negotiator on your side — typically resulting in a higher sale price at the cost of time and commission fees.
A 2023 Bright MLS study found homes listed on the MLS sold for an average of 17.5% more than comparable off-market sales — an average difference of $53,000. That’s a meaningful premium, but it comes with 30–60+ days of preparation, showings, and uncertainty.
What to look for in an agent
Low average days on market — their listings sell faster than local comps
High sales volume — closing 20+ deals per year means real systems and experience
Strong digital marketing — professional photography, social presence, Zillow placement
Hyperlocal knowledge — deep familiarity with your specific neighborhood and buyer pool
Clear communication — you’ll talk to this person regularly; make sure it works
ARS partners with licensed Georgia agents. If you’d rather sell with representation but want access to ARS’s buyer network, our Agent Partner Program connects you with top-performing local agents who specialize in motivated sellers.
The “coming soon” strategy
Top agents build demand before your home hits the MLS. They tease the listing to their buyer network, other agents, and on social media — creating a wave of interest that can result in multiple offers on day one. When executed well, this strategy eliminates extended market time and often pushes offers above asking price.
Section 04
Selling by owner (FSBO)
For Sale By Owner means you handle every part of the sale yourself — pricing, marketing, showings, negotiations, and paperwork. You save the listing agent’s commission (typically 2.5–3%), but it’s a significant time commitment.
FSBO works best when you have prior real estate experience, know your buyer market well, or when your property type sells itself in a very hot market.
1
Set a data-driven price
Pull comparable sales (not listings) from the past 90 days within a half-mile radius. Match square footage, bedrooms, bathrooms, and lot size. Price slightly below market to attract multiple buyers quickly.
2
Invest in professional photography
Most buyers start their search online. Professional photos ($200–500) dramatically improve click rates and first impressions. Bad photos are worse than no photos.
3
List everywhere
Zillow, Realtor.com, Homes.com, Facebook Marketplace, and local neighborhood groups. Consider a flat-fee MLS service ($200–400) to get on the MLS — worth it for the exposure.
4
Respond fast and manage showings
Reply to inquiries within hours. Slow responses signal disinterest and drive buyers to other listings. Have your calendar and a showing schedule ready from day one.
5
Hire a real estate attorney for closing
A real estate attorney reviews contracts, catches issues, and ensures the closing is legally sound — typically $500–1,000 well spent, especially if you’re unfamiliar with Georgia real estate law.
FSBO homes average 18–26% less than agent-listed homes according to NAR data — partly because buyers negotiate harder knowing there’s no agent, and partly because FSBO sellers tend to overprice initially. If your property sits for more than 2–3 weeks with no offers, re-evaluate pricing immediately.
Section 05
Pricing it right
Pricing is the single most powerful lever you control. Homes priced near fair market value typically sell twice as fast as overpriced listings. The first two weeks on market are everything — buyers notice how long a home has been listed, and stale listings attract lowball offers.
How to pull comparable sales (comps)
Look for homes that sold (not just listed) in the past 90 days with similar:
Square footage — within 10–15% of yours
Bedroom and bathroom count — exact match or very close
Year built and condition — don’t compare a 1950s fixer to a 2020 renovation
Lot size and features — pool, garage, and acreage all affect value
Location — same neighborhood or school district, not just same zip code
Strategic underpricing
In active markets, pricing slightly below comparable sales often creates a bidding war that drives the final price above asking. List at $299,000 instead of $310,000 and you may end up with multiple offers over $310,000. Buyers perceive value and act quickly rather than waiting for a better deal.
Warning signs your price is too high
No showings in week one — the price is filtering you out of buyer search results
Showings but no offers after two weeks — buyers are comparing you to better-priced alternatives
Low online traffic — your Zillow listing shows few views relative to similar homes
Use ARS’s free calculator. Our Home Sale Calculator estimates what your property might net in a cash sale vs. a traditional sale after accounting for commissions, carrying costs, and repairs. No signup required.
Section 06
Preparing your home to sell
Small improvements make outsized differences. Focus on changes that help buyers picture themselves in the space — and avoid expensive renovations that won’t recover their cost before closing.
Declutter and depersonalize
Remove family photos, personal collections, and excess furniture. Pack away anything you won’t need for the next two months. Clean, neutral spaces let buyers mentally move in.
Kitchen counters — keep only one or two appliances visible
Living areas — remove half your furniture to create a more spacious feel
Bedrooms — clear nightstands, dressers, and closets of personal items
Bathrooms — store all personal care products; leave only fresh towels
High-ROI quick fixes
Fresh neutral paint
Gray, warm white, or greige in main living areas. The highest-ROI prep investment you can make — costs $1–3 per square foot and transforms a space.
Lighting upgrades
Replace dim or yellow bulbs with bright LED daylight bulbs throughout. Bright homes photograph better and feel more inviting during showings.
Curb appeal essentials
Mow the lawn, trim hedges, pressure wash the driveway, add fresh mulch. NAR research shows landscape maintenance returns up to 217% of its cost at sale.
Minor repairs
Fix leaky faucets, squeaky doors, cracked outlet covers, and loose cabinet handles. Small deferred maintenance signals buyers to look for bigger hidden problems.
Section 07
Marketing smart to attract buyers fast
Effective marketing reaches the maximum number of qualified buyers in the shortest window of time. The first 7–10 days on market are the most important — that’s when the most serious buyers are watching.
Digital-first strategies
Professional photography — non-negotiable. Bad photos are the single biggest self-inflicted wound in residential real estate marketing.
Premium listing placement on Zillow, Realtor.com, and Homes.com with featured status
3D walkthrough tours — useful for out-of-town buyers and for filtering unqualified showings
Targeted Facebook and Instagram ads to buyers actively searching in your area and price range
Agent network blast — direct outreach to buyer’s agents who have pre-qualified clients searching now
The mega open house
Scheduling back-to-back showings in a compressed window creates social proof — buyers see other buyers and feel urgency to act. A well-attended open house signals demand and gives buyers less time to talk themselves out of an offer. Pair it with a pre-announced offer deadline to create a structured bidding environment.
Community channels
Local Facebook groups, Nextdoor, and neighborhood apps reach the people most likely to have friends or family looking in your area. Your next buyer may already live two streets away.
Section 08
Common mistakes that cost sellers
Most delays and lost value come from a handful of avoidable mistakes. Here’s what experienced sellers know to avoid:
Overpricing at launch
The first 14 days on market are your highest-traffic window. Overpricing burns that window and forces painful price reductions that signal desperation to buyers.
Skipping professional photography
Phone photos in a dimly lit room have killed more listings than most sellers realize. Your listing lives or dies on its first impression online.
Slow response times
Buyers move fast, especially in competitive markets. Responding to showing requests a day later often means you’ve already lost them to another property.
Getting emotionally attached to a price
The market doesn’t care what you paid, what you spent on renovations, or what you need to buy your next home. It only cares about current comparable sales.
Ignoring Georgia disclosure requirements
Georgia requires sellers to disclose known material defects. Failing to disclose can expose you to litigation after closing. When in doubt, disclose it.
Section 09
Frequently asked questions
How fast can ARS close on my property?
Most ARS transactions close in 7–21 days from a signed purchase agreement. We can accommodate faster timelines for motivated sellers and flexible timelines if you need more time to arrange your next move. You choose the closing date.
Does ARS buy properties that need major repairs?
Yes. ARS buys properties as-is regardless of condition — full renovations needed, fire damage, foundation issues, deferred maintenance, inherited properties, and more. You don’t need to fix or clean anything before the sale.
What capital gains taxes will I owe?
If the property is your primary residence and you’ve lived there for 2 of the past 5 years, you can exclude up to $250,000 in gains ($500,000 for married couples) from federal capital gains tax. For investment properties, different rules apply. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Can I sell if I still have a mortgage?
Yes. Having a mortgage doesn’t affect your ability to sell — the balance is paid off at closing from the proceeds. This is standard in virtually every home sale. If you owe more than the property is worth (underwater), we can discuss available options.
What areas does ARS buy in?
ARS primarily operates across the Atlanta metropolitan area and surrounding Georgia counties, including Fulton, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Cobb, Clayton, Henry, Rockdale, Newton, and Douglas. Not sure if your area qualifies? Submit your address and we’ll let you know.
Is there any obligation after requesting an offer?
None whatsoever. Requesting an offer from ARS costs nothing and commits you to nothing. There are no contracts until you choose to accept, and we don’t use high-pressure tactics or follow-up calls if you decide it’s not right for you.
Ready when you are
Skip the process. Get your offer today.
No repairs. No commissions. No showings. No uncertainty. Just a fair cash offer and a closing on your schedule.