Bellingham, WA · Whatcom County · How the sale works

How Selling Your Bellingham House to Us Works

USA Home Buyers buys houses as-is in Bellingham and Whatcom County. We buy houses as-is, in any condition — no repairs, no cleaning, no cleanout required to sell to us.

Start with the address and what you know about the house, who lives there, and when you are thinking of selling. You do not need every property question settled before the first conversation.

Questions? Call 888-274-5006. We answer 24/7 at 888-274-5006.

Tell us about the house

We'll give you a written cash offer within 24 hours.

We give written cash offers in 24 hours.

Share the address, condition, occupancy, access, and timing.

From the first conversation to settlement

The sale, step by step

1. Tell us about the house
We start with the address, the house's condition, access, who lives there, and your timing. Tell us what you know about an estate, payoff, lien, tax account, or deadline. You can start while other property questions are still being sorted out.
2. Talk through the property
We ask practical questions about the house as it sits, including condition, repairs, occupancy, access, and timing. We buy houses as-is, in any condition — no repairs, no cleaning, no cleanout required to sell to us. We can also talk through listing or other choices so you can compare what fits.
3. Read the written offer and terms
We give written cash offers in 24 hours. You get a written offer and written terms before you commit, and we close through a title company. Read the price, responsibilities, possession, timing, costs, and property-specific conditions before you decide whether to proceed, compare another path, or stop before signing.
4. Work through title and payoffs
The title company reviews ownership, who can sign, mortgage payoffs, liens, taxes, and the documents needed for closing. Share statements, notices, and estate papers you have; the title company can identify what else is needed for this sale.
5. Review the settlement sheet and close
A settlement sheet shows how the sale money breaks down. We always review the settlement sheet with the seller and walk through how the money breaks down so there is no confusion. We try to do that the day before closing so settlement is smooth; the title company confirms the final numbers.
If you choose to sell to us: You're going to get a fair price and not have to do anything. Just show up at settlement.

Two ways to sell to us

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	Yes, partner visits
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	You get a written offer and written terms before you commit, and we close through a title company.	You get a written offer and written terms before you commit, and we close through a title company.
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.

Bellingham and Whatcom County details

Check the property and notice, not just the place name

Bellingham, Whatcom County, and the wider region are distinct geographies. The city's neighborhood labels are for orientation; they do not establish a property's municipal boundary, title, tax status, or court venue. If a city or court notice affects the sale, use the property details and notice to identify the office involved.

Closing numbers

Review the settlement sheet and Washington REET

The settlement sheet shows the sale price, payoffs, taxes, costs, and amount scheduled for disbursement. We always review the settlement sheet with the seller and walk through how the money breaks down so there is no confusion. We try to do that the day before closing so settlement is smooth; the title company confirms the final numbers.

Washington calls its transfer tax the real estate excise tax (REET). The Department of Revenue says the seller generally pays; if the seller does not pay, the buyer is responsible, and unpaid tax can become a lien on the property. The state portion is graduated by taxable selling price and classification, and local REET is added, so the amount depends on the property's location and transaction. The title company confirms the current rate, any exemption, and the amount. Read the Washington Department of Revenue's real estate excise tax information ↗.

When you sell to us, we pay the closing costs.

Mortgage balances, liens, back taxes, and your share of current property taxes are separate settlement items.

When things get difficult

We keep working through the bumps

It's real estate. Sometimes there are bumps in the road. We won't disappear when that happens, and we'll be fighting to get this to the closing table.

Questions and contact

Read the guide that fits your situation or use the calculator to compare estimated net proceeds. You can call before every property question is settled.

Bellingham process questions

Can I start before every property question is settled?

Yes. Start with the Bellingham address and what you know about the condition, occupancy, access, and timing. You can begin the conversation while ownership, payoff, lien, tax, or estate questions are still being checked.

Do I need to repair or clean the house before selling to you?

We buy houses as-is, in any condition — no repairs, no cleaning, no cleanout required to sell to us.

What are the Cash Offer and EZ Sale choices?

What does the settlement sheet show, and who confirms the final numbers?

The settlement sheet shows the price, payoffs, taxes, costs, and amount scheduled for disbursement. We always review the settlement sheet with the seller and walk through how the money breaks down so there is no confusion. We try to do that the day before closing so settlement is smooth; the title company confirms the final numbers.

Who pays Washington real estate excise tax when I sell to you?

Washington calls its transfer tax the real estate excise tax (REET). The state Department of Revenue says the seller generally pays; if the seller does not pay, the buyer is responsible, and unpaid tax can become a lien on the property. The state amount is graduated and local REET may also apply, so the exact figure depends on the taxable sale, classification, and location. The title company confirms the current amount and any applicable exemption. When you sell to us, we pay the closing costs, including Washington real estate excise tax. Mortgage balances, liens, back taxes, and your share of current property taxes are separate.

Call 888-274-5006 or use the property form above. We answer 24/7 at 888-274-5006.