You have more ways to sell a house today than ever — and they are not interchangeable. A real estate agent, an online "iBuyer," and a local cash home buyer solve three different problems. Pick the right one for your situation and you'll be glad you did; pick the wrong one and you'll pay for it in fees, months, or a collapsed deal.
Here's the honest comparison — including when an agent genuinely is your best move, and when a direct cash sale wins by a mile.
The 3 Ways to Sell, Explained
What Matters Most to You?
The right choice follows from your priority. Tap yours:
Chasing the highest possible price? Honest answer: if your home is updated, market-ready, and you can afford to wait months, a good agent on the open market is usually your best path to peak price — even after commissions. The math flips when the home needs work or you're on a clock: repair costs, 6–9% in fees, and months of holding costs shrink that "top dollar" fast. Run the numbers both ways with our guide to the real cost of selling a house in Texas before assuming the list price wins.
Need it sold, guaranteed, by a date? This is where cash wins outright. Agents can't guarantee a buyer's financing survives underwriting; iBuyers can revise offers after their inspection. A direct cash sale has no lender, no algorithm, and no post-acceptance surprises — a written number and a fixed closing date in as little as 7–14 days. Foreclosure timelines, relocations, and divorces live here.
Want the simplest possible exit? No repairs, no cleaning, no showings, no strangers, no fees, leave the junk behind — that's the local cash buyer's home turf. iBuyers look convenient online, but their inspection-and-deduction step and condition requirements exclude most homes that actually need convenience. One walkthrough and a signature session beats every alternative for pure simplicity — see how sellers describe it on our Success Stories page.
Side-by-Side: Agent vs. iBuyer vs. Cash Buyer
| Agent | iBuyer | Money Fast 4 Houses | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fees | ~6% commission + closing costs | ~5–7% service fee + repair deductions | $0 — we pay closing costs |
| Repairs | Before listing + after inspection | Deducted from offer after inspection | None — true as-is |
| Timeline | 2–6+ months | 2–4 weeks, if you qualify | 7–14 days, your date |
| Homes accepted | Any — condition affects price & time | Newer homes, good condition, select metros only | Any home, any condition, any situation |
| Offer certainty | Financing can collapse late | Can drop after inspection | Written offer = final payment |
| Showings | Weeks of them | None | One walkthrough |
Notice the pattern in the fees row: an iBuyer's "convenience" often costs about the same as an agent once service fees and repair deductions land — without the open market's upside. The cash buyer column trades peak price for zero fees, zero risk, and speed. Which trade is right depends entirely on your home and your timeline.
How to Choose in 3 Steps
- Get real numbers, not estimates Request a written cash offer (free, 24 hours, no obligation) and — if your home qualifies — an iBuyer quote. Ask an agent for a realistic net sheet, not just a list price. Now you're comparing actual dollars.
- Compare net-to-net, with time included Subtract every fee, repair, and month of holding costs from each option. A "higher" number that arrives six months later, minus 9% in costs, is often not higher at all.
- Weigh certainty last — it's worth more than you think Ask of each path: what happens if the buyer's financing dies in month three? Only one of these options can't fall through. Price that peace of mind honestly, then decide.
Whatever you choose, you'll choose it with clear eyes. And if the cash route fits, here's exactly what happens next: our step-by-step home buying process.
Start With the Number That's Guaranteed.
Get your free, no-obligation cash offer within 24 hours — then compare it against any agent or iBuyer with our blessing. We win those comparisons more often than you'd think.
Get Your Free Offer Call NowQuick FAQs
Do iBuyers even operate in New Braunfels?
Coverage comes and goes — iBuyers focus on major metros and have pulled back from many markets over the years. Even where available, most only purchase newer homes in good condition, so older or repair-needing properties around New Braunfels typically don't qualify at all.
When is an agent honestly my best option?
When your home is updated and market-ready, you have no deadline, and maximizing price is worth months of showings and ~6–9% in costs. That's a real scenario — it's just not most of the sellers who come to us.
Can I get a cash offer just to compare, without committing?
Absolutely — that's the smartest way to use it. Our offer is free, written, and no-obligation. Use it as your guaranteed baseline while you explore other options; it costs you nothing.
What's the difference between a local cash buyer and a national franchise?
Local buyers know the actual neighborhoods, walk the property themselves, and make decisions directly — no call center, no passing your info to third parties. Either way, vet whoever you talk to using our checklist, starting with our FAQs page.
For more home selling tips, browse the rest of our blog — or reach us anytime at info@moneyfast4houses.com.