Do I need to clean my house before selling to a cash buyer?

Cleaning a California home for a retail listing typically runs $500–$2,500, plus painting, landscaping, and minor repairs adding another $3,000–$10,000. None of that is required when you sell to a cash buyer. We tour the property exactly as it is and price the offer with the actual condition factored in.

What to do before our tour: nothing required. If you want to take family photos or sentimental items, do that. If you want to throw out personal documents, do that. Everything else can stay, appliances, furniture, even debris and personal effects from a hoarder situation.

What we don't require: cleaned floors, made beds, mowed lawns, removed garbage cans from the driveway, repaired plumbing, working utilities, pest treatment, or any kind of staging. Don't waste time or money. We've seen everything; we don't get squeamish.

After closing, the property's contents become our problem to deal with. We coordinate cleanout, donation, or disposal. The cost of that cleanout is factored into the offer up front, so you're not paying for it twice (once before sale through your effort, again through a discounted offer).

Other California sellers ask:

• Can you sell a house as-is in California?
• How do I sell a California property in very bad condition?

Related pages on My Home Sold:

• We buy houses as-is
• Vacant property situation page

Looking for the broader picture? Read how to sell your house fast in California or our guide to the best cash home buyers in California.

Every California cash sale we run follows the same general rhythm. You tell us about the property and your situation. We pull comps, factor your timeline, and send a written cash offer within 24 hours. If you accept, we open escrow with a licensed local title company and close in 7 to 14 days. We pay all standard closing costs, we don't request repairs, and we use the same C.A.R. forms a real estate agent would use, the only difference is speed and certainty.

If you have questions specific to your situation that aren't covered above, the fastest way to get a real answer is to call (855) 699-6090 or request a free written offer. Both are no-obligation and take less than five minutes of your time. We'll be honest about whether a cash sale is the right call for your situation, and if it isn't, we'll tell you what we'd do in your spot.