Durham, NC · Seller FAQ
Questions About Selling a House in Durham, NC
These answers cover repairs, offer choices, closing costs, paperwork, tenants, estate questions, code notices, and foreclosure timing. We buy houses as-is in Durham, NC, across Durham, Orange, and Wake counties.
Call 888-274-5006 with a question, or use the form. Start with what you know about the house and what is making the sale difficult.
We'll give you a written cash offer within 24 hours.
We give written cash offers in 24 hours.
Share the address, what you know about the house, and the question you are working through.
Money and choices
Compare what you keep, not only the sale price
What you keep depends on the written sale price and the costs tied to that option. Compare repairs, commissions, closing costs, and the time you carry the house, then account for your mortgage payoff, liens, back taxes, and current property-tax share. Those separate balances are not paid by the closing-cost promise below.
Cash Offer or EZ Sale: compare the written numbers
We have two ways to buy. A Cash Offer is built for speed, condition, and tough situations — heavy repairs, tight timelines, difficult circumstances. EZ Sale is often the better fit when the house doesn't need major repairs and you want a higher number. Either way, you compare written numbers and you pick what works best for you.
Swipe across the table to compare all four selling options.
| Factor | List with a realtor | FSBO | Cash Offer | EZ Sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Timeline | Market-dependent | Market-dependent | 30 days or less | 60 days or less |
| Price | Highest, if it sells | Varies | Lower price | Higher price than the Cash Offer |
| Repairs | Repairs may be needed before listing or after inspection | The seller handles repair decisions | No repairs | No repairs |
| Commissions | Agent commissions apply under the listing agreement | No listing-agent commission; the seller handles the sale | No commissions | No commissions |
| Closing costs | Seller costs depend on the contract and settlement statement | Seller costs depend on the contract and settlement statement | No closing costs | No closing costs |
| Showings | The seller prepares for and coordinates showings | The seller markets the property and coordinates showings | None | None |
| Who buys | Retail buyer | Retail buyer | USA Home Buyers buys directly | Goes to one of our partners |
| Certainty | Depends on the buyer, inspections, financing, and contract | Depends on finding and qualifying a buyer | Written offer and written terms before you commit; title-company closing. | Written offer and written terms before you commit; title-company closing. |
| Net proceeds | Compare the expected sale price after commissions, repairs, costs, and waiting | Compare the expected sale price after seller-managed costs and work | Compare the written price after your payoff and other property obligations. No commissions. No closing costs. | Compare the written price after your payoff and other property obligations. No commissions. No closing costs. |
Compare what you might keep after costs with the Durham calculator →
Durham seller questions, answered
Can I sell my Durham house as-is if it needs work?
Yes. We buy houses as-is, in any condition — no repairs, no cleaning, no cleanout required to sell to us. Tell us about the condition, access, and any repair or code notice you have.
How soon will I get an offer, and do I have to decide right away?
We give written cash offers in 24 hours. Written offer and written terms before you commit; title-company closing. You can read the terms and ask questions before you decide.
What costs do I pay when a North Carolina house sells?
North Carolina charges an excise tax on conveyances when a deed transfers real estate. The rate is $1 for each $500 of the price or value, and any part of $500 counts as a full $500. By law, the seller pays it to the county Register of Deeds before the deed is recorded; some transfers are exempt. When you sell to us, we pay the closing costs, including North Carolina's excise tax on conveyances. Your mortgage, liens, back taxes and share of current property taxes are separate.
What paperwork should I have before I call?
You can call before you have everything figured out. Start with the property address, what you know about its condition and occupancy, and your timing. If you have them, a deed, payoff statement, lien or tax notice, estate papers, lease, code notice, or foreclosure notice can help answer the next question.
Can I sell an inherited house before all the estate papers are ready?
Often, yes, but the right signer must be confirmed before closing. In North Carolina, the Clerk of Superior Court appoints a personal representative and issues letters showing that person's authority. If the will gives the representative power to sell, no court case is needed; without that power, the representative can ask the clerk to approve a sale to pay estate debts. The deed, will, appointment letters, and any court order matter. A title company can confirm who must sign.
Can I sell a Durham rental while a tenant is living there?
Yes. A sale does not end the lease; the buyer generally becomes the landlord. Within 30 days after the sale, the seller must either transfer the security deposit, less lawful deductions, to the buyer and mail the tenant the buyer's name and address, or return the deposit, less lawful deductions, to the tenant. Keep the lease, deposit records, and any notices together. A tenant can be removed only through the court process.
Can I still sell if a North Carolina foreclosure is underway?
Often, yes, if the sale closes in time. Many North Carolina home loans use a deed of trust with a power of sale, which lets the lender seek foreclosure through a hearing before the Clerk of Superior Court instead of a lawsuit. For a qualifying home loan on your main home, the servicer must mail notice at least 45 days before filing for the hearing; this notice rule does not cover every loan, including home-equity lines and reverse mortgages. The hearing notice must be served at least 10 days ahead. If the clerk allows foreclosure, you have 10 days to appeal. The notice of sale is posted at the courthouse for at least 20 days and published in a newspaper once a week for two weeks. The sale is a public auction. For 10 days after the sale report is filed, anyone can make an upset bid at least 5% higher and at least $750 more; each new bid starts another 10-day period. If the last day falls when the clerk's office is closed, the deadline moves to its next open day. Until the last upset-bid period ends, paying the loan and sale costs in full stops the foreclosure. Once the final 10-day period ends with no new bid, the sale is final. If a foreclosure sale is scheduled, tell us the date right away so we can try to close before it.
What if my house has a code notice or recorded repair lien?
You can ask about selling before the work is done. We buy houses as-is, in any condition — no repairs, no cleaning, no cleanout required to sell to us. A sale does not erase a recorded lien, so share any notice, order, lien, and deadline for review.
Read about Durham code violations →
North Carolina law on minimum housing-code orders and liens →
Start with a question
You can call before you have everything figured out
Share the address, the condition you know about, who lives there, and the timing you are facing. A deed, notice, lease, or estate paper may help, but you do not need a complete file to ask a question. Call 888-274-5006.
Local public-record help
Which Register of Deeds serves the property?
Durham spans Durham, Orange, and Wake counties. For a deed or land-record question, use the Register of Deeds for the county where the property is located; these are county offices, not USA Home Buyers offices.
More detail
Durham guides and next steps
Still have a Durham sale question?
Call 888-274-5006 or use the form above. Tell us what is making the sale difficult; you do not need every answer before you call.