Sonoma Home Buyers — Frequently Asked Questions
Thinking about selling a house in Sonoma County or nearby Northern California? This FAQ is your quick guide to how Sonoma Home Buyers works and what to expect. We are local cash home buyers and a licensed real estate team that buys houses as is with no repairs or showings, provides a fair written cash offer within 24 hours, and can close in as little as 14 days.
When we buy for cash there are no commissions and no closing costs. If a traditional MLS listing will put more in your pocket, we will say so and help you list with zero pressure or signed contracts until you are ready. Inside you will find clear answers on pricing and how we calculate offers, costs and fees, closing timelines, properties with tenants or needed repairs, inherited and probate sales, foreclosure and liens, and our service area. Use this to compare a fast as is cash sale with a traditional listing and choose what fits your situation.
About Sonoma Home Buyers
Q: Who are you and where do you buy houses?
A: We are Sonoma Home Buyers, a local cash home buyer and licensed real estate team. We help homeowners across Sonoma County and nearby Northern California communities, including Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Cotati, Windsor, Healdsburg, Sebastopol, the City of Sonoma, and parts of Marin County such as Novato and San Rafael. We meet you in person, explain the numbers, and help you choose between a fast as is cash sale or a traditional MLS listing.
Q: What makes you different from national “we buy houses” companies?
A: We are local, approachable, and transparent. You meet us at the property, we walk it together, and discuss your options together. There is zero pressure. If listing your house will put more in your pocket, we will say so and help guide you to that solution with zero pressure or signed contracts.
Q: Are you licensed?
A: Yes. We are licensed real estate professionals as well as investors. That means we can buy your house for cash or list it for top market value. You get side by side options and clear next steps either way.
How It Works
Q: What are the steps to sell my house fast in Sonoma County?
A: Step 1. Tell us about the property. Share the address, basic condition, and your timeline so we can begin the evaluation before we arrive.
Step 2. Quick, in person walk through. No judgment. We have seen it all. This brief visit lets us price accurately. No repairs, no showings, no lender appraisal, and no buyer repair requests.
Step 3. Fair, written cash offer within 24 hours. If it works for you, we open escrow and can close in as little as 14 days or on the date you choose.
Q: Can you make a real offer without seeing the house?
A: No. A short in person walk through is the only way to give you an accurate and legitimate offer. It protects both sides and keeps surprises out of escrow.
Q: Can you communicate separately with different family members or representatives?
A: Yes. If you prefer separate communications for privacy or multiple decision makers, we are happy to set that up.
Pricing and How We Make Offers
Q: How do you figure out your cash offer?
A: We walk you through the math so you can decide with confidence. Your cash offer reflects the after-repair value based on comparable nearby sales in good condition, a realistic repair estimate to bring the home to market standards, our holding and resale costs (closing costs, commissions, taxes, insurance, utilities, private money fees, and the cost of potential delays while we prepare and sell), and a reasonable margin so the project works.
Q: Will your cash offer be lower than a full retail MLS price?
A: Usually the gross price is lower because we handle repairs, carrying risk, and speed. Many sellers still end up with a similar or net when they consider no repairs, no cleaning, no showings, and no commissions or closing costs when we buy for cash. We lay out both paths side by side so you can compare net proceeds and pick what is best for you.
Costs and Fees
Q: What do I pay if you buy my house for cash?
A: When we buy your house for cash there are no commissions, no closing costs, and no hidden fees. We use a reputable local title and escrow company and keep you updated at every step.
Q: What do I pay if I choose a traditional listing instead?
A: If a traditional listing is better for your bottom line, we will say so and help you list. Standard listing costs and commissions apply on that path. We outline everything up front so there are no surprises.
Closing Timeline, Escrow, and Paperwork
Q: How fast can you close in Sonoma County and Northern California?
A: We can close in as little as 14 days, or on a date that works for you. Here is how that looks. After you accept our written offer, we open escrow with a local title company and order the title search on day one. While title is clearing, we gather HOA documents if needed, request payoff statements from lenders, and confirm your move out timing. There is no lender approval and no lender appraisal because we purchase with cash. When title is clear and documents are ready, you can sign in person, with a mobile notary, or through remote signing if you are out of the area. Funds are wired on the scheduled closing date. If you prefer more time, we can choose a later date, arrange flexible move out options, or a short rent back.
Q: What could speed up or slow down closing?
A: Clear title makes a 14 day close straightforward. Items that can add time include probate steps, payoff statements from multiple lenders, HOA resale packages, unreleased liens, municipal reports, or code violations that require recording. We work closely with escrow to keep everything moving. If title is clear early and documents are ready, we can sometimes close sooner than 14 days.
Q: Do I still complete disclosures if you buy as is?
A: As is means no repairs. California still expects sellers to disclose known material facts. This is not legal or tax advice.
Property Conditions We Buy As Is
Q: Will you buy a house that needs work or has problems?
A: Yes. We buy houses as is, including major repairs such as roof, foundation, and fire damage, homes with code violations, condemned or vacant properties, houses with squatters, deferred maintenance, and full clean out situations. Leave unwanted items and we handle donation and disposal.
Q: What if my house is already in good shape?
A: We also buy move in ready homes when sellers want speed and certainty without showings and contingencies. However when a home is move in ready, a market sale is typically the way to go as you open the sale up to a large buying pool. We will discuss with you all of your options.
Situations We Help With
Q: Which situations do you handle in Northern California?
A: Inherited property and probate, facing foreclosure or Notice of Default or auction, divorce, relocation, downsizing, tenant or rental issues including near universities, HOA communities with past due dues or violations, tax liens, and title challenges. We coordinate with your HOA, lender, attorney, and escrow to keep the process moving.
Tenants and Occupancy
Q: Can you buy my rental property with tenants in place?
A: Yes. We regularly purchase tenant occupied homes and coordinate lawfully under California rules. If you need extra time after closing, we can discuss flexible move out timing or a short rent back.
Q: Can I leave items behind when I sell my house for cash?
A: Yes. You can sell your house as is. We handle clean out, donation, and disposal and keep you informed as we go.
Foreclosure, Liens, and Probate
Q: Can you help stop a foreclosure in Sonoma County?
A: Act quickly. In many cases, a fast cash sale can pay off or reinstate what is owed before the deadline. Every situation is different, so timing matters. We coordinate with your lender and escrow to move as fast as possible.
Q: Do you buy probate or inherited homes in Northern California?
A: Yes. We work with personal representatives and attorneys, follow court timelines when needed, and make the process simple for families who want a straightforward as is sale.
Q: What if there are liens or code violations on my property?
A: We buy homes with liens and violations. Title and escrow handle payoff and recording at closing. We explain each step so you know what to expect.
Working With Agents Versus Selling to a Cash Buyer
Q: Should I list my home or sell for cash in Sonoma County?
A: We help you compare net proceeds both ways. A cash sale with Sonoma Home Buyers is fast and certain with no repairs, no showings, no commissions, and no closing costs when we buy. A traditional listing may produce a higher gross price and standard listing costs apply. If listing is the better choice, we will say so and help guide you there with zero pressure or signed contracts until you are ready. Download our free Seller’s Decision Guide for more helpful information on this topic!
Service Area
Q: Where do you buy houses in Northern California?
A: We buy houses across Sonoma County and communities across Northern California, including Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Cotati, Windsor, Healdsburg, Sebastopol, the City of Sonoma, and parts of Marin County such as Novato and San Rafael. If you are unsure, reach out and we will confirm.
Getting Started
Q: What do you need from me to begin?
A: Share the property address, basic condition, and your timeline. We will schedule a short visit and provide a fair written cash offer within 24 hours. If the cash option is not your best outcome, we will outline a traditional listing to target top market value and walk you through next steps.
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707-671-5742
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