Watch: Inside a Real Cash Home Sale in Bakersfield
I want to show you what a real cash home sale looks like from start to finish. Not a hypothetical example. A real transaction that happened right here in Bakersfield. I am going to walk you through the numbers, the timeline, and what the seller experienced so you can see exactly how this works.
The Seller's Situation
A homeowner on the east side of Bakersfield reached out to us. She had inherited the property from her father who had passed away six months earlier. The house was a 3-bedroom, 1-bathroom built in 1962. About 1,100 square feet on a standard lot in the 93305 zip code.
The house had not been updated in decades. The roof was original, the HVAC was not working, the kitchen had not been touched since the 1970s, and there was some water damage in the bathroom. Her father had lived alone and the house showed it. She lived in Oregon and did not have the time, money, or desire to fix it up and list it.
What the Numbers Looked Like
Comparable homes in the neighborhood that were fully updated were selling for about $225,000. But this house was far from updated. We estimated the repair costs at around $35,000 to $40,000 for the roof, HVAC, kitchen, bathroom, flooring, and general deferred maintenance.
We offered $165,000 for the property. Now, I know what you are thinking. That is $60,000 less than the updated comps. But let me show you what the seller would have netted going the traditional route.
If she had spent $37,500 on repairs (the midpoint), waited 3 months for the work, then listed with an agent and waited another 2 to 3 months to sell at $225,000, here is what she would have netted. Sale price: $225,000. Minus $13,500 in agent commissions (6%). Minus $37,500 in repairs. Minus $3,375 in closing costs (1.5%). Minus $3,000 in holding costs (mortgage, insurance, utilities for 5 months). That is a net of $167,625 after 5 to 6 months of work and stress.
Our cash offer of $165,000 with zero costs netted her $165,000 in 18 days. The difference was $2,625, but she saved 5 months and did not have to manage a renovation from another state.
The Timeline
Day 1: She filled out our online form on a Tuesday evening. Day 2: We called her Wednesday morning, asked a few questions, and started our research. Day 3: We sent her a written cash offer of $165,000 along with an estimated agent listing comparison showing $167,625 net after 5 to 6 months.
She took a week to think about it and talk to her siblings. Day 10: She called us back and accepted the cash offer. We opened escrow that same day with a local Bakersfield title company.
Day 11 through 17: The title company ran the title search, prepared documents, and cleared the probate transfer. Because she had full IAEA authority, we did not need court confirmation. Day 18: She signed the closing documents via mobile notary in Oregon. The title company wired her $165,000 the next business day.
From first contact to cash in her bank account: 19 days. She never had to visit the property.
What She Said
I asked her afterward if she felt like she got a fair deal. She said yes, and I will tell you why. She was paying $200 a month in insurance and utilities on a house she could not use. She was worried about vandalism since the house was vacant. And she was dreading the idea of managing contractors from 800 miles away.
For her, the $2,625 difference between our cash offer and the theoretical agent net was not worth 5 months of stress, risk, and out-of-pocket costs. And that theoretical number assumed everything went perfectly. In reality, repair costs could have been higher, the house could have sat on the market longer, or the buyer's financing could have fallen through.
The Takeaway
Not every cash sale looks like this. Some sellers have homes in better condition where listing with an agent clearly makes more sense. That is why we show you both options. But for situations like this, an inherited property that needs work, being managed from out of state, a cash sale is often the smartest financial decision when you look at the full picture.
If you are in a similar situation, whether you are in Bakersfield or anywhere in California, reach out to us. We will give you both numbers and let you decide. No pressure, no tricks, just honest numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the numbers in this example typical?
Every transaction is different, but this example is representative of many inherited property sales we handle. Homes needing significant repairs often net similar amounts through cash sales versus traditional listings.
Can I sell an inherited house without visiting the property?
Yes. Acquily handles the entire process remotely. You can sign closing documents via mobile notary or electronically without ever visiting the property.
Does Acquily buy homes in all parts of Bakersfield?
Yes. We buy homes in every Bakersfield neighborhood and throughout Kern County, regardless of condition or location.
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