Will I pay any fees or commissions when I sell to a cash buyer?

Standard listing-route costs that are eliminated with a cash sale: 5–6% agent commission (split between listing and buyer's agents), 1–2% in seller-paid closing costs (escrow fees, title insurance, transfer taxes), 1–3% in repair credits typically negotiated by the buyer's agent after inspection, and any pre-sale prep costs (paint, landscaping, staging).

What is paid out of escrow at closing: existing mortgage balance, any recorded liens or judgments, unpaid property taxes, and HOA dues if applicable. These aren't fees you owe the cash buyer, they're debts already attached to the property that have to be cleared before clear title can transfer.

Watch out for non-legitimate cash buyers who charge 'application fees,' 'service fees,' 'evaluation fees,' or anything else. A real California cash buyer pays you; you don't pay them. If anyone asks for money upfront, for any reason, that's a red flag.

The cash offer math is simple: offer price minus mortgage payoff minus any liens equals net to seller. Settlement statement at closing shows every line. We pay the title company, the escrow officer, the courier fees, and the recording costs. None of those come out of your check.

If you searched "fees selling to cash buyer" or something close to it, this answer covers what California sellers actually need to know. The mechanics are routine for our team, we work with sellers asking about fees selling to cash buyer every week, and the cash-sale path makes most of these situations simpler than the listing route would.

Other California sellers ask:

• What fees do cash home buyers charge?
• How do I verify a cash home buyer?

Related pages on My Home Sold:

• Are cash home buyers legit?

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.