San Francisco, CA · San Francisco County · How the sale works
How Selling Your San Francisco House to Us Works
1. Tell us about the house
USA Home Buyers buys houses as-is in San Francisco and San Francisco 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 condition, occupancy, access, and timing. You can call before every property question is settled.
Questions now? Call 888-274-5006.
Start with the property detailsWe'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 about the property.
Start with what you know
Tell us what is going on with the house
The address, condition, who lives there, access, and timing give the conversation a starting point. If an estate, payoff, lien, tax item, or deadline is unresolved, share what you know so far. Call 888-274-5006 or use the form above; you do not have to settle every question first.
From the property conversation to settlement
The sale, step by step
Tell us what you know about the house
Start with the San Francisco address, the condition, who lives there, access, and the timing you have in mind. You can call before every property question is settled.
Talk through the property and offer
We discuss the house as it sits, including repairs, occupancy, access, and what you need from the sale. We buy houses as-is, in any condition — no repairs, no cleaning, no cleanout required to sell to us.
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 whether to proceed.
Work through title, authority, and payoffs
If you choose to proceed, the title company reviews the deed, who can sign, mortgage payoffs, recorded liens, taxes, and the documents needed for settlement. A payoff is the amount needed to satisfy a mortgage or other obligation; a lien is a recorded claim for money against the property. You can start the conversation while questions are still being checked.
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.
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 San Francisco home-sale net-proceeds calculator →
San Francisco County records
Local records can help identify the questions
If a recorded document, lien, or court matter is part of the sale, the San Francisco Assessor-Recorder's document search and San Francisco Superior Court records are starting points. The title company checks which documents, payoffs, signing authority, and other items apply to this property and closing.
Before the signatures
Understand the settlement figures and transfer tax
The settlement sheet lists the sale price, mortgage payoffs, liens, taxes, other 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 a documentary transfer tax of $0.55 for each $500 of value, or fraction of $500, when consideration is over $100, excluding any lien or loan that stays on the property after the sale. A city may receive a credited share of the county tax, and some cities add a larger tax. Some transfers are exempt, and the sale agreement can allocate the cost. The title company or escrow confirms any San Francisco city tax and the taxable amount for this property.
When you sell to us, we pay the closing costs.
This does not pay your mortgage balance, liens, back taxes, or your share of current property taxes.
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.
Keep the next question local
San Francisco seller questions and resources
Open the page for your situation or compare the settlement numbers with the calculator. You can call or send the address before every property detail is settled.
Common San Francisco process questions
Can I call before every property question is settled?
Yes. Start with the San Francisco address and what you know about condition, occupancy, access, and timing. You can tell us what is still unclear during the first conversation.
Do I need to repair or clean out the house first?
We buy houses as-is, in any condition — no repairs, no cleaning, no cleanout required to sell to us.
What do I receive before deciding whether to proceed?
We give written cash offers in 24 hours. Written offer and written terms before you commit; title-company closing.
Who checks the deed, liens, and mortgage payoff?
The title company reviews the deed, who can sign, mortgage payoffs, recorded liens, taxes, and the documents needed for settlement. A payoff satisfies a mortgage or other obligation; a lien is a recorded claim for money against the property.
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 is a direct purchase by USA Home Buyers; EZ Sale goes to one of our partners. Compare the written numbers and program terms in the table, then choose what works for you.
What closing costs do you pay when I sell to you?
When you sell to us, we pay the closing costs. This does not pay your mortgage balance, liens, back taxes, or your share of current property taxes.
Ready to talk about your San Francisco house?
Call 888-274-5006 or start with the address and what you know about the property. Unanswered questions can be sorted out as the sale is reviewed.
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 about the property.