Merced, CA · Merced County · How the process works
How Selling Your Merced House to Us Works
USA Home Buyers buys houses as-is in the City of Merced and Merced County, California. We buy houses as-is, in any condition — no repairs, no cleaning, no cleanout required to sell to us. You can start the conversation before every property question is settled.
Want to talk first? 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 so far. You can start before every property question is settled.
From the first conversation to settlement
The sale, step by step
Tell us about the house
Start with the address and what you know about condition, who lives there, access, and timing. You can call before every property question is settled; it is fine to begin while some details are still open.
Talk through the property and your choices
We ask about repairs, occupancy, access, ownership, and timing, then talk through the house as it stands. We buy houses as-is, in any condition — no repairs, no cleaning, no cleanout required to sell to us. We explain the available sale choices so you can compare them with listing or another path.
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 terms before deciding whether to proceed.
Let the title company check title and payoffs
If you choose to proceed, the title company checks ownership and who can sign, requests mortgage payoff figures, and reviews liens, taxes, and the documents needed for settlement. Keep the statements and notices you have so the right questions can be checked against the property records.
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. If you choose to proceed, sign the final papers through the title company and follow its instructions for receiving the sale proceeds.
You're going to get a fair price and not have to do anything. Just show up at settlement.
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 would keep after costs with the Merced calculator →
Questions about the two options? Call 888-274-5006.
Merced and Merced County
Use the property address for local questions
The City of Merced is a municipality within Merced County. Other incorporated places in the county are separate municipalities, not Merced neighborhoods. Give the exact property address when a local record or tax question comes up so the title company can check the relevant jurisdiction. The Merced County seller resources page collects local information for the next question.
Closing numbers
Review the settlement figures and transfer tax
The settlement sheet shows the sale price, mortgage payoff, liens, taxes, closing costs, and the amount scheduled for you. 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.
California counties charge documentary transfer tax of $0.55 for each $500 of taxable consideration, or fraction of $500 ($1.10 per $1,000). It applies when consideration is over $100, not counting a lien or loan that stays on the property after the sale. 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. Some transfers are exempt. 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. Ask the title company or escrow to confirm the property's county, any city tax, the taxable amount, and any exemption.
When you sell to us, we pay the closing costs.
Your mortgage payoff, liens, back taxes, and share of current property taxes are separate from the closing costs we pay.
When things get 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.
What sellers say about USA Home Buyers
Questions and contact
Can I contact you before every property question is settled?
Yes. Start with the address and what you know about condition, occupancy, access, and timing. You can call or use the form while other details are still open.
What happens after I tell you about the house?
We talk through the property and the sale choices. We give written cash offers in 24 hours. Written offer and written terms before you commit; title-company closing. If you decide to proceed, the title company checks title and payoff details, and you review the settlement sheet before closing.
What is the difference between a Cash Offer and EZ Sale?
The Cash Offer is a direct purchase by USA Home Buyers and is 30 days or less at a lower price. EZ Sale goes to one of our partners and is 60 days or less at a higher price than the Cash Offer. Both have no repairs, commissions, or closing costs. Compare the written numbers and choose what works for you.
What transfer tax applies to a California home sale?
California counties charge documentary transfer tax of $0.55 for each $500 of value, or fraction of $500, when consideration is over $100. City tax and the taxable amount depend on the property and transaction. See the closing-numbers section above and ask the title company or escrow to confirm the applicable local tax and amount.
Which closing costs do you pay?
When you sell to us, we pay the closing costs. Your mortgage payoff, liens, back taxes, and share of current property taxes are separate.
Call 888-274-5006 or use the form above to start with the address and what you know about the house.