We Buy Houses vs. Listing With an Agent: Which Is Right for You in Washington?

When it’s time to sell your house in Washington, you’ve got two main paths:

1. List your home with a real estate agent
2. Sell directly to a cash homebuyer like REI Branded Home Buyer

Both routes can work — it just depends on your timeline, goals, and the condition of your property.

If you’re unsure which one is right for you, this guide will break down the differences, pros, and cons so you can make the right move with confidence.

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🚪 Option 1: Listing With a Real Estate Agent

This is the traditional method — hiring an agent to put your house on the market and sell it to a buyer using bank financing.

Pros:

• Potentially higher sale price
• Guidance through inspections, staging, and negotiations
• Access to more buyers through the MLS

Cons:

• You’ll likely need repairs or upgrades
• Staging, showings, and clean-up are required
• Agent commissions (5–6%) come out of your proceeds
• The buyer may back out or delay closing
• Financing issues or appraisal problems can arise

For homeowners with updated homes in good condition who have time to wait — listing might be a great choice.

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💰 Option 2: Selling to a Cash Homebuyer (Like Us)

Cash homebuyers purchase your property directly, often as-is, without agents, showings, or traditional delays.

Pros:

• No repairs, cleaning, or staging
• No commissions or hidden fees
• Fast closings (as little as 7 days)
• Flexible move-out date
• Local team, real people, real offers
• Sell “as-is” — no inspections or appraisals required

Cons:

• May net slightly less than full retail price
• Not ideal for homes in perfect, market-ready condition

This option is ideal if you’re in a tough spot — behind on payments, going through probate, stuck with a damaged house, or just want to sell fast.

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🔍 Side-by-Side Comparison: Agent vs. Cash Buyer

Feature	Listing with Agent	Selling to REI Branded Home Buyer
Time to Close	30–90+ Days	7–21 Days
Repairs or Upgrades Needed	Usually Yes	Never
Showings & Open Houses	Yes	No
Cleaning or Staging	Yes	No
Commissions or Fees	5–6%	$0
Risk of Sale Falling Through	High (Financing, Inspection)	Very Low
Appraisal Required	Yes	No
Flexible Closing Date	Limited	Yes — You Choose
Move Out Timeline	Strict	Totally Up to You
Local, Trusted Buyer	Not Guaranteed	✅ REI Branded Home Buyer

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Real Story: Spokane Seller Needed Speed, Not Repairs

A homeowner in Spokane called us after trying to list her rental property for months. The tenants had left it in rough shape — torn carpet, missing doors, and a leaking roof.

Her agent told her she needed $35,000 in repairs to get it sold.

She didn’t have the cash. Or the time.
We offered her a fair price as-is, paid cash, and closed in 10 days. She didn’t lift a finger — and walked away stress-free.

That’s the difference.

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When It Makes Sense to Use an Agent

We’ll be real with you — if you’re in no rush and your house is in great shape, listing with a good agent can absolutely make sense.

You might get top dollar, especially in cities like Tacoma, Vancouver, or Everett where inventory is tight and buyer demand is high.

That said, make sure you’re prepared for:

• Inspections
• Buyer repair requests
• 2–3 months of showings
• Paying closing costs and commissions

If that sounds exhausting, you’re not alone.

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When It Makes More Sense to Sell for Cash

A cash sale is a great option if:

• You need to sell fast
• The house needs repairs you can’t afford
• You’re dealing with probate, divorce, foreclosure, or liens
• The home is vacant, inherited, or a rental gone wrong
• You just want a simple, clean sale without hassle

We buy houses all across Washington, including:

• Yakima
• Kennewick
• Pasco
• Richland
• Spokane Valley
• Olympia
• Bellingham
• Walla Walla
• Ellensburg
• Centralia
• Moses Lake
• Pullman
• And everywhere in between across Washington

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A Quick Word About REI Branded Home Buyer

We’re not just another “We Buy Houses” operation.

We’re a real local company — based in Spokane — run by George Anderson and TJ Pigeon. We built this business to be different from the shady, high-pressure buyers that give our industry a bad name.

“There are a lot of slick salespeople out there. We decided to put people first and profit second. That’s our core.” – George

That means:

✅ No pushy sales calls
✅ No fees or hidden terms
✅ No tricks or renegotiation
✅ Just a simple, honest process that works for you

Whether you want to close in 7 days or 3 months, we’ll work with your timeline — and even help with clean-out or tenant problems if needed.

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Still Unsure? Let’s Talk About Your Situation

Sometimes it helps to just talk it out.

We’ll walk you through both options — selling with an agent or to us directly — and help you figure out what makes the most sense for you.

📞 Call 509-769-3439
📧 Email info@reibrandedhomebuyer.com
💬 Contact us here

Zero pressure. Just real advice from a local team that cares.

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⚖️ Legal Disclaimer

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Please consult a professional before making real estate decisions.