Comparison
Selling to a Local Cash Buyer vs. an iBuyer
Both let you skip the traditional listing and sell fast — but a local cash buyer and an iBuyer work very differently, and the right choice depends on your home and your situation. Here’s an honest, side-by-side breakdown.
Get a fair cash offerNo obligation — or call (919) 205-0576.
First, the basics
What’s the difference?
An iBuyer (“instant buyer”) is a tech company that uses an algorithm to make a quick online offer on your home, then resells it. They move fast and pay close to market value on the right home — but they charge service fees, and they’re selective about which homes they’ll buy.
A local cash buyer like us is a real person or company in your market who buys homes directly, in any condition, and resells or rents them. We pay a bit less than an iBuyer’s headline number on a move-in-ready home — but we charge no fees, buy homes iBuyers won’t touch, and handle everything locally.
Here’s how they stack up.
Side by side
Local cash buyer vs. iBuyer
| A local cash buyer (us) | An iBuyer | |
|---|---|---|
| Offer amount | Fair offer based on condition & after-repair value; a bit below an iBuyer on a nice home | Often closer to market value — but only on homes in good shape |
| Service fees | None — and we cover closing costs | Typically ~5% or more, deducted from your proceeds |
| Home condition | Any condition — damaged, dated, or distressed, all fine | Usually only newer, move-in-ready homes |
| Repairs | None — we buy as-is | May require repairs or deduct estimated repair costs |
| Who you deal with | A local person you can call, start to finish | An app and a rotating support team |
| Closing flexibility | You pick the date; flexible on move-out | More rigid, algorithm-driven timelines |
| Local knowledge | We know the Triangle block by block | A national algorithm, no local nuance |
| Certainty | Cash offer with nothing to fall through | Offers can be revised after inspection |
The honest take
Which is right for you?
An iBuyer may fit if…
Your home is newer and move-in ready, it’s in a market they serve, and you’re comfortable trading a service fee for a slightly higher headline offer.
A local cash buyer fits if…
Your home needs work, it’s older or distressed, you want no fees and a real person to deal with, or you need flexibility an algorithm won’t give you.
Either way, we’ll tell you honestly if we think a listing or another route would net you more. See exactly how we calculate your offer.
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See what a local cash buyer would pay
Enter your property address and we’ll get started — any condition, no fees.
Or call (919) 205-0576Straight answers
Cash buyer vs. iBuyer FAQs
What’s the difference between a cash buyer and an iBuyer?
Do iBuyers charge fees?
Which one pays more?
Will an iBuyer buy a home that needs repairs?
Is a local cash buyer safe?
Keep reading
Related guides
See what a local cash buyer would pay
Get a fair, no-obligation cash offer on your Triangle home — any condition, no fees, and a real person from start to finish.
Get my cash offerOr call (919) 205-0576