Home Sales Go High-Tech
Corporate buyers will sell your home in a hurry, and you don’t need to lift a finger.
Selling a home is a hassle. Smart sellers spend time and money to clean, repaint and stage it, and the final sale price and date are uncertain. But a growing number of companies are offering a high-tech and more sophisticated version of “ugly home” flippers. They could make selling your home easier, faster and more predictable—for a price.
Opendoor, which operates in 19 cities, and Offerpad, in 13 cities, are the leading so-called iBuyers. Redfin Now and Zillow Offers launched in 2018. Coldwell Banker, ERA and Keller Williams are testing programs, too. Convenience comes at a cost: iBuyers charge a service fee of 6% to 13% of the price. That’s higher than the 4% to 6% commission for a traditional real estate agent, but sellers don’t have to pay carrying costs and the expense of fixing up the home for sale. If you’re interested, go to one of the iBuyers and provide your address and other information about your property. If your home meets the iBuyer’s criteria, it will provide a free, no-obligation purchase offer and make a home visit. If you accept the iBuyer’s offer, you can close for cash within as little as a week.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99, plus get up to 4 Special Issues
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
-
Stocks Chop as the Unemployment Rate Jumps: Stock Market TodayNovember job growth was stronger than expected, but sharp losses in October and a rising unemployment rate are worrying market participants.
-
Should You Renew Your CD?With rate cuts impacting earnings, we examine if now is a wise time to renew CDs.
-
7 Ways to Plan Now to Save on Medicare IRMAA Surcharges LaterUnderstand the critical two-year lookback period and why aggressive planning before you enroll in Medicare is the most effective way to minimize IRMAA.
-
Amazon Resale: Where Amazon Prime Returns Become Your Online BargainsFeature Amazon Resale products may have some imperfections, but that often leads to wildly discounted prices.
-
Roth IRA Contribution Limits for 2026Roth IRAs Roth IRAs allow you to save for retirement with after-tax dollars while you're working, and then withdraw those contributions and earnings tax-free when you retire. Here's a look at 2026 limits and income-based phaseouts.
-
How to Search For Foreclosures Near You: Best Websites for ListingsMaking Your Money Last Searching for a foreclosed home? These top-rated foreclosure websites — including free, paid and government options — can help you find listings near you.
-
Luxury Home Prices Rise as the Rich Dodge High Mortgage RatesLuxury home prices rose 9% to the highest third-quarter level on record, Redfin reports, growing nearly three times faster than non-luxury prices.
-
Four Tips for Renting Out Your Home on Airbnbreal estate Here's what you should know before listing your home on Airbnb.
-
Five Ways to a Cheap Last-Minute VacationTravel It is possible to pull off a cheap last-minute vacation. Here are some tips to make it happen.
-
How Much Life Insurance Do You Need?insurance When assessing how much life insurance you need, take a systematic approach instead of relying on rules of thumb.
-
When Does Amazon Prime Day End in October? Everything We Know, Plus the Best Deals on Samsonite, Samsung and MoreAmazon Prime The Amazon Prime Big Deal Days sale ends soon. Here are the key details you need to know, plus some of our favorite deals members can shop before it's over.
