Denver Cash Home Buyers: Sell Your House Fast and Hassle-Free
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Kelsey Morrison EditorClose
Kelsey Morrison EditorKelsey Morrison is an editor for HomeLight's Resource Centers. She brings six years of editorial experience covering real estate, home design, cooking, crafting, and pet care. With a background as a commerce editor at World of Good Brands (eHow.com and Cuteness.com) and an associate editor at Livabl, Kelsey holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec.
At HomeLight, our vision is a world where every real estate transaction is simple, certain, and satisfying. Therefore, we promote strict editorial integrity in each of our posts.
Whether you need to sell your house quickly or lack the resources to prepare it for listing, Denver cash home buyers can be a straightforward option compared to the traditional market. Deals can close in a matter of days or weeks, and with fewer contingencies, they are more likely to be carried to completion.
Local and national investors, who often transact in cash, see the value in the city’s stable growth. Denver has added thousands of new residents in recent years thanks to its pleasant weather, strong job market, and proximity to the mountains.
In this guide, we’ll explain how to find reputable cash home buyers in Denver and outline the advantages of a cash home sale. These insights will help you cash in your downtown condo or suburban single-family home with relative ease.
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Disclaimer: As a friendly reminder, this blog post is meant to be used for educational purposes, not legal or tax advice. HomeLight always encourages you to reach out to your own advisor.
How to find cash home buyers in Denver
If you’re looking to sell your Denver home quickly and with minimal fuss, cash home buyers could be a great option. Here are some ways to find reputable Denver cash home buyers who may be willing to make a fair offer on your property.
Work with a reputable local real estate agent
Even when opting for a cash sale, working with a top-performing real estate agent can streamline the process. Agents have established networks and often know investors interested in buying homes for cash. By partnering with a Denver agent, you avoid the time-consuming task of vetting numerous cash buyers yourself. An agent can connect you with reliable cash buyers, ensuring a smoother transaction.
If you don’t have an agent yet, HomeLight can connect you with top agents in Denver who are experienced in handling cash transactions. While real estate agents do earn commissions, their knowledge and experience can be valuable for achieving a quick and efficient home sale.
Focus on investors rather than owner-occupiers
Denver is a popular market among real estate investors due to its strong rental returns and abundance of high-quality renters. Roughly 15% of Denver homes sold between early 2021 and late 2022 went to investors — an estimated $9.5 billion worth of real estate.
To attract these types of investors, consider listing your property on platforms frequented by real estate investors or attending local real estate investment meetings. Additionally, you can search online for “We Buy Houses” companies in Denver. These house flippers typically operate under the 70% rule, meaning they may offer to purchase your home for 70% of its after-repair value minus any renovation costs, aiming to profit from the resale.
Do your due diligence
When considering cash-for-homes companies, it’s important to conduct thorough research to confirm their credibility. Start by checking the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website, or reach out to the local chapter, BBB Serving Greater Denver and Central Colorado.
Read through reviews on platforms like Google, Yelp, Facebook, and Trustpilot. These reviews can provide insights into the company’s reliability and customer satisfaction. Verify the company’s licenses, track record, and customer referrals to ensure you are dealing with a legitimate and reputable cash buyer.
Before signing an offer, ask for proof of funds
Ensuring that a cash buyer has the necessary funds readily available is crucial. Request proof of funds from the buyer, which typically comes in the form of bank statements or financial letters demonstrating their capability to purchase your home outright. If a buyer hesitates to provide this proof, consider it a red flag. Working with a trustworthy buyer who can immediately show proof of funds will safeguard you from potential scams and ensure a smoother, more secure transaction.
Inside the Denver cash home buyers market
Denver’s cash home-buying market is not just for investors; other groups are also stepping in to purchase homes without the burden of a mortgage. Let’s examine who these buyers are and what drives their interest in the Mile High City’s real estate market.
New residents
Denver continues to attract new residents with its appealing blend of outdoor recreation and urban amenities. According to the Census Bureau, the Denver metro area grew by 1.2% between July 2020 and July 2023, adding 35,000 people.
Some of these newcomers, particularly high-net-worth individuals and those moving in from more expensive cities, choose to purchase their Denver homes in cash. In March 2022, just over 21% of all Denver metro area home sales were made in cash. That figure rose to nearly 28% in February 2024, signaling that buyers are increasingly forking over cash to avoid paying high interest rates.
Cash purchases can speed up the closing process, which is particularly attractive to those eager to settle quickly and avoid the uncertainty of loan approvals. New residents who buy with cash include professionals moving for jobs, retirees seeking a vibrant city with access to nature, and families in search of a better quality of life.
Baby Boomers
The Baby Boomer generation is a significant player in Denver’s cash home-buying market. In Metro Denver, 14.5% of the population is 60–74 years old, and another 5.3% are 75 and older. This cohort often has significant savings and/or housing equity that they can use to purchase homes mortgage-free. Census data suggests that the share of Denver homeowners who own their homes outright increased to 26.9% in 2022.
Nationwide, 51% of Older Boomers (born 1946–1954) financed their home purchases with cash in 2023, according to the National Association of Realtors. Among Younger Boomers (born 1955–1964), 32% opted to pay all cash. Baby Boomers are increasingly looking for stability and the freedom that comes with owning their homes outright. Buying with cash means no monthly mortgage payments and peace of mind knowing they won’t be in debt for years to come.
If you’re looking to market your home to cash-flush Baby Boomers, highlight features in your listing description that appeal to aging-in-place, like first-floor primary suites, low-maintenance outdoor spaces, ample natural light, and wide hallways and doorways.
Property investors
Homeowners in Denver may find success in selling to property investors who often pay in cash, avoiding the hurdles that come with mortgage financing. While Denver hasn’t seen as much activity from institutional investors as other markets, it remains popular among house flippers, buy-and-hold investors, and iBuyers.
These investors are drawn to properties they can quickly turn around for a profit or rent out for passive income. Many “We Buy Houses” companies, for example, are operated by house flippers who pay cash for houses (often at discount prices), renovate them, and resell them for a profit. Although Denver is a pricier market for investors, it boasts impressive rental returns and growing demand for a limited number of properties.
Pros of working with a Denver cash home buyer
Cash offers can be an attractive option for Denver homeowners seeking an efficient and streamlined sales process. Let’s explore the key benefits of working with a cash home buyer:
- Quick closings: Cash transactions can often close within a week or two, as they bypass the lengthy mortgage approval processes. This speed is ideal for sellers who are in a hurry or have pressing financial needs.
- No contingencies: Cash offers typically come with fewer contingencies, such as those related to financing or the sale of another property. This means fewer hurdles to jump through and a higher certainty of the sale closing.
- As-is purchase: Selling as-is means you can avoid the cost and hassle of making repairs before selling. Cash buyers often prefer to handle repairs themselves, offering relief to sellers who lack the time or resources to fix up their property.
- Simplified process: The selling process is generally simpler with cash buyers. There is less paperwork and no need to stage your home for countless showings, which can significantly reduce the stress and effort required from you as a seller.
- Avoid financing fall-through risk: One of the biggest benefits of a cash sale is the elimination of the risk that the buyer’s financing will fall through at the last minute, a somewhat common issue in traditional home sales.
How to request a cash offer in Denver
If you’re looking for a straightforward way to receive a cash offer for your home, HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform is an excellent resource. This platform connects you with the largest network of vetted, pre-approved investors across the U.S., streamlining the process of finding a reliable cash buyer. After you answer a few basic questions about your property, HomeLight can provide you with a no-obligation, all-cash offer within 24 hours. If you accept the offer, you can close the sale in as few as 10 days, bypassing the usual hassles of repairs, prep work, and showings. Plus, you have the flexibility to select a move-out date up to 30 days from closing.
While it’s true that cash buyers generally offer less than the market value you might achieve through traditional sales channels, it’s important to consider that selling on the open market often incurs fees that can absorb 9% to 10% of your sale price. Depending on your circumstances and priorities, opting for a cash buyer through HomeLight’s Simple Sale could ultimately save you both time and money.
How much are Denver cash home buyers willing to pay?
In exchange for speed and convenience, sellers working with cash home buyers in Denver often receive offers that are below what their property might fetch on the open market. This trade-off is largely because cash transactions eliminate the typical uncertainties of buyer financing, providing a quicker and more certain sale. House flippers typically follow the 70% rule, offering to purchase a home for 70% of its after-repair value minus any estimated repair costs. This ensures they can make a profit upon reselling the property.
Market conditions directly impact how much cash buyers are willing to pay. Denver is currently a seller’s market with low inventory and days on market. Given the heightened competition, cash offers have a better chance of getting close to market value. In a balanced or buyer’s market where there are more properties available, cash offers are likely to fall further below market value.
What’s the process of selling to a Denver cash home buyer?
If you’re looking for speed and simplicity in selling your Denver home, a cash home sale might be right for you. Here’s a breakdown of how the process generally works:
Complete the Colorado Seller’s Property Disclosure form
In Colorado, sellers are required to complete the Seller’s Property Disclosure form, which details the condition of the property and any material defects that might affect its value. This is an important step as it informs the buyer of any known issues and helps protect the seller from future legal disputes over undisclosed problems.
If you’re working with a Denver “We Buy Houses” company, they typically prepare all necessary paperwork, including this disclosure. However, filling it out ahead of time can help speed up the process. These companies conduct their own inspections and purchase homes in any condition, making the disclosure more about fulfilling legal requirements than influencing the sale.
The buyer runs a title search on the property
The cash buyer will also verify the property’s title. This step confirms your legal ownership and checks for any liens, claims, or other encumbrances that could complicate the sale. Title issues can arise from various situations, including boundary disputes, undisclosed heirs, or errors in public records. A clear title is essential for a smooth transaction, protecting both buyer and seller from future legal troubles.
The seller pays any associated fees
While a cash sale generally involves fewer closing costs, sellers must still cover some expenses. These typically include transfer taxes, title insurance, escrow fees, and attorney fees.
Colorado doesn’t have a formal transfer tax, but it does have a statewide documentary fee, which amounts to 2 cents for every $100 of the property’s sale price. Unlike other states, the buyer typically pays the documentary fee in Colorado. Twelve cities impose their own real estate transfer taxes, but Denver is not one of them.
If you prefer to avoid closing costs altogether, “We Buy Houses” companies in Denver often cover them in exchange for a cash offer below market value, making it a trade-off between convenience and potential profit.
Deciding to sell to Denver cash home buyers
Selling your Denver home to a cash buyer can be a great option in this competitive market. Whether you want to compare cash buyers yourself, work with a trusted real estate agent, or request an offer through HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform, we’re here to assist you on your home-selling journey. Let HomeLight guide you to the best solution for your needs so you can take advantage of Denver’s booming market.
Header Image Source: (Acton Crawford/Unsplash)
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- Cash Rules", National Association of REALTORS® (April 2023)
- "Nearly 27% of Denver homes are mortgage-free", AXIOS (January 2024)
- "How Denver's population is changing", AXIOS (March 2024)
- "Investors bought $10B worth of Denver-area homes since 2021", FOX31 (April 2023)