El Centro, CA · Imperial County · How the sale works
How Selling Your El Centro House to Us Works
USA Home Buyers buys houses as-is in El Centro and Imperial County. We buy houses as-is, in any condition — no repairs, no cleaning, no cleanout required to sell to us. You can call before every property question is settled; start with the address and what you know about the house.
Questions now? Call 888-274-5006.
Tell us about the houseWe'll give you a written cash offer within 24 hours.
We give written cash offers in 24 hours.
Share the address and what you know about the house. Unknown details can be sorted out in the conversation.
From the first conversation to settlement
The El Centro sale, step by step
Tell us about the house
Start with the El Centro address, the condition, who lives there, access, and the timing you have in mind. You can start the conversation before every property question is settled. If a payoff, lien, tax notice, code notice, or estate detail is part of the situation, tell us what you know so far.
Talk through the property as it is
We talk about condition, access, occupancy, repairs, and what you need the sale to address. We buy houses as-is, in any condition — no repairs, no cleaning, no cleanout required to sell to us. You can ask about the sale choices while we discuss the house.
Read the written offer and terms
We give written cash offers in 24 hours. Written offer and written terms before you commit; title-company closing. Read the price, responsibilities, possession, timing, costs, and property-specific conditions before you decide. You can accept, counter, or decline.
Work through title and payoffs
If you choose to proceed, the title company reviews the deed, ownership, who can sign, mortgage payoffs, liens, tax items, and the documents needed for settlement. A payoff is the amount needed to satisfy a mortgage or other obligation; a lien is a claim for money against the property. Share the statements or notices you have, and the remaining property questions can be checked as the file moves forward.
Review the settlement sheet and close
The 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. You're going to get a fair price and not have to do anything. Just show up at settlement. If you choose to proceed, closing takes place through the title company.
Compare the written numbers
Two ways to sell to us: Cash Offer or EZ Sale
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 El Centro home-sale net-proceeds calculator →
Local records and property-tax questions
Imperial County records can help explain the paperwork
The Imperial County Clerk-Recorder records deeds, mortgages, court decrees, and leases affecting real-property title in the County. If you have recorded papers or a notice, share what you have; the title company checks which records affect this sale.
The County Treasurer–Tax Collector handles property-tax bills and delinquent accounts. If you have a tax bill or notice, share it so the current amount and status can be confirmed with the County.
Before the signatures
Review the settlement figures and transfer tax
The settlement sheet shows the sale price, mortgage payoff, liens, back taxes, your share of current property taxes, transfer tax, other closing charges, and the amount scheduled for you. When you sell to us, we pay the closing costs. That closing-cost promise does not pay your mortgage, liens, back taxes, or share of current property taxes.
California counties charge a documentary transfer tax of $0.55 for each $500 of value, or fraction of $500 ($1.10 per $1,000), when consideration is over $100. A lien or loan that stays on the property after the sale is not included in that consideration. A city may take half of the county rate as its own share, credited against the county tax; some cities add a larger transfer tax on top. The county recorder collects the tax when the deed is recorded. State law makes a person who signs or benefits from the deed responsible, while the purchase agreement can allocate the cost between buyer and seller. Some transfers are exempt. Have the title company or escrow confirm the property's county, any city tax, the taxable amount, and any exemption.
When the process gets difficult
We stay with the process
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 next steps
El Centro seller questions and resources
Open the page that matches your situation, or compare the settlement numbers with the calculator. You can call or send the address before every property detail is settled.
Common El Centro process questions
Can I contact you before every property question is settled?
Yes. Start with the El Centro address and what you know about condition, occupancy, access, and timing. You can tell us which details are still unknown.
Do I need to repair or clean out the El Centro house first?
We buy houses as-is, in any condition — no repairs, no cleaning, no cleanout required to sell to us.
What happens after I contact USA Home Buyers?
We give written cash offers in 24 hours. Written offer and written terms before you commit; title-company closing. If you choose to proceed, the title company checks ownership, who can sign, payoffs, liens, tax items, and the documents needed for settlement.
What is the difference between Cash Offer and EZ Sale?
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. Cash Offer — USA Home Buyers buys directly. 30 days or less. Lower price. No repairs, no commissions, no closing costs. EZ Sale — goes to one of our partners. 60 days or less. Higher price than the Cash Offer. Still no repairs, no commissions, no closing costs.
What transfer tax and closing costs should I expect?
California counties charge a documentary transfer tax of $0.55 for each $500 of value, or fraction of $500 ($1.10 per $1,000), when consideration is over $100. A lien or loan that stays on the property after the sale is not included in that consideration. A city may take half of the county rate as its own share, credited against the county tax; some cities add a larger transfer tax on top. The county recorder collects the tax when the deed is recorded. State law makes a person who signs or benefits from the deed responsible, while the purchase agreement can allocate the cost between buyer and seller. Some transfers are exempt. Have the title company or escrow confirm the property's county, any city tax, the taxable amount, and any exemption. When you sell to us, we pay the closing costs. That closing-cost promise does not pay your mortgage, liens, back taxes, or share of current property taxes.
Ready to talk about your El Centro house?
Call 888-274-5006 or start with the address and what you know about the property. Questions before documents or other details are ready are welcome.
We'll give you a written cash offer within 24 hours.
We give written cash offers in 24 hours.
Start with the address and what you know. Unanswered property questions can be sorted out in the conversation.