Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a quick collection of some of the questions people ask us, along with our answers. Every situation is unique, so please feel free to contact us if you do not see the answer to your specific question. We would be happy to talk with you and will do our best to answer it for you.
Q: Will you be listing my house on the MLS or actually buying it?
A: Unlike real estate agents, we are not in the business of listing houses for sale on the market. At Blank Slate Homes, we are experienced home buyers who specialize in purchasing properties directly: We buy houses in Indianapolis that align with our buying criteria. Our cash purchasing power enables us to close deals seamlessly without relying on bank financing. Following the purchase, we may choose to renovate and sell the property to a new homeowner or retain it as a rental investment.
Q: What sets real estate investing apart from working with a real estate agent?
A: Unlike real estate agents, who primarily focus on listing properties on the market, real estate investors take a more proactive approach. Real estate investors identify undervalued properties, renovate or improve them to increase their value, and then sell them for a profit. They also buy properties directly from sellers, offering a quicker transaction compared to traditional real estate listings. Rather than earning a commission based on a percentage of the sale price, real estate investors profit from the appreciation of the property value they create through strategic investments and improvements. They also take a significant amount of risk in the process, and typically expect to buy properties at somewhat discounted prices to help them guard against losses.
While agents offer a valuable service for sellers willing to wait 4+ months and accept a lower sale price to cover commissions, we provide a unique alternative. Unlike agents, we are direct home buyers. Our company purchases houses directly from homeowners, offering a quick decision-making process with cash payment often within days, sometimes even on the same day. We assume the risk by buying properties with our own funds, handling repairs, and marketing the house to find a new buyer.
Looking for an even clearer breakdown? Here’s a chart comparing what we do to what real estate agents do:
| Selling w/ A Indianapolis Agent | SOLD To Blank Slate Homes | |
|---|---|---|
| Commissions / Fees: | Up to 6%, paid by you, the seller | None |
| Who Pays Closing Costs? | 2% on average is paid by you, the seller | We pay all costs. |
| Inspection & Financing Contingency*: | Yes, sales can fall through. | None needed |
| Appraisal Needed: | Yes, the sale is often subject to appraisal. | No, we make cash offers. |
| Average Days Until Sold: | +/- 91 Days, depending on market | 7-14 days |
| Number of Showings: | It Depends | ~2 (typically one for us and one for our investors) |
| Closing Date: | 30-60+/- days after accepting the buyer’s offer | The date of YOUR CHOICE. |
| Who Pays For Repairs? | Negotiated during the inspection period | We pay for all repairs. |
Q: Do you pay fair prices for properties?
A: There’s no way around this question — we will likely offer you less than the top price you could get by listing your house on the market. We have to do this so we can resell your property at a fair market value to another homeowner. We and our investors take significant risk in buying homes that sometimes need large renovations and in order to make profit, we need to get homes at fair discounts. In our experience, many sellers aren’t necessarily expecting a large “windfall” on the property. Instead, they appreciate that we can offer cash, close very quickly (no waiting for financing), and no time, effort, or expense is required on their part to fix up the property. If that’s what you’re looking for and you see the value in getting your house sold fast, let’s see if we can come to a win-win price for both parties. Our no-obligation pricing commitment means that you don’t have to move forward with the offer we give… but it’s good to know what we’re offering!
DOWNLOAD our free guide that walks you through the Pros and Cons (plus the cost and timeline) of selling your house to a real estate investor versus the pros, cons, and costs of the other two alternatives – listing with an agent or selling it yourself.
Q: How do you determine the price to offer on my house?
A: When it comes to determining the price to offer on your house, we follow a transparent and systematic approach. This involves assessing factors such as the property’s location, the cost of required repairs, the current condition of the property, and the value of similar properties that have been recently sold in the area. By carefully analyzing this data, we can arrive at a fair price that works for everyone involved.
Q: Are there any fees or commissions to work with you?
A: This is what makes us stand out from the traditional method of selling your house: there are NO fees or commissions when you sell your house directly to us. When you work with a real estate agent to list your house on the market, up to 6% of the final sale price comes out of your pocket in commissions to the agent. We’ll make you an offer and, if you like the price, then we’ll buy your house with no hassles and no fees. We’ll often pay for the closing costs, too! Once we buy your house, the responsibility is ours. You walk away without the burden of the property and the payments you have been making on it, as well as cash in hand.
Q: Is there any obligation when I submit my information?
A: There is absolutely zero obligation for you when we make you an offer. Once you tell us a bit about your property, we’ll schedule a time to come see it and then we’ll make you an all-cash offer that’s fair for you and fair for us. From there, it’s 100% your decision — we’ll let you decide if selling to us is right for you.
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Get your FREE Guide and then give us a call at (463) 219-2258. We would love to discuss what your home is worth and what we can offer to buy it with our Cash Offer Program.