Questions to Ask a Cash Home Buyer Before You Sign
Quick answer
Before signing with any cash home buyer, ask for a written net sheet, proof of funds, the full purchase agreement, and clear answers about cancellation terms, price renegotiation triggers, and who selects the closing attorney. These questions protect you from the most common seller harms in cash transactions.
Step by step
- 1
Ask for a written net sheet
This should show offer price minus every deduction: service fees, closing costs, repair credits, admin fees, and any other line items.
- 2
Request proof of funds
A legitimate cash buyer should be able to provide proof of funds or a bank letter. This confirms they can actually close.
- 3
Read the full contract
Ask for the complete purchase agreement before signing. Look for inspection clauses, assignment provisions, and anything that allows the buyer to change the price after acceptance.
- 4
Clarify cancellation terms
What is the cancellation window? Under what circumstances can either party cancel? Are there penalties?
- 5
Ask about the closing process
Who selects the closing attorney? When will you see the settlement statement? What is the expected closing timeline?
Common pitfalls
- !Signing based on a verbal offer or one-page summary without seeing the full contract.
- !Not asking whether the contract can be assigned to a different buyer.
- !Assuming "no fees" means zero deductions from the offer price.
- !Feeling pressured to sign quickly — a legitimate buyer will give you time to review.
What to ask providers
- ?Can you provide a written net sheet showing every deduction?
- ?Can you show me proof of funds or a bank letter?
- ?Will you provide the full purchase agreement for review before I sign?
- ?Under what circumstances can you renegotiate the price after I accept?
- ?Is this contract assignable to another buyer?
- ?What is the cancellation window, and are there penalties for cancellation?
Ready to compare providers?
Compare cash home buyers in NC