City of Traverse City Assessing Department ↗
For a property within the City, the Assessing Department provides city assessment information and a Tax Parcel Viewer. Assessment records are different from recorded deeds and tax payments.
Traverse City, Michigan · Grand Traverse and Leelanau counties · How it works
How Selling Your Traverse City House to Us Works
USA Home Buyers buys houses in Traverse City, Grand Traverse County, and Leelanau County, Michigan. 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. Tell us what you know about the address, condition, occupancy, and timing.
Questions now? Call 888-274-5006.
Ask about a cash offerFrom first conversation to settlement
The sale, step by step
Tell us about the house
Start with the property address, condition, who lives there, access, and the timing you are considering. Mention an estate, payoff, lien, tax notice, tenant, or repair issue if it is part of the situation. You can start the conversation before every property question is settled.
Talk through the property
We ask practical questions about the house, its condition, access, occupancy, ownership, and timing. 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, compare another path, or stop before signing.
Work through title, authority, and payoffs
The title company checks the deed, who can sign, mortgage payoff information, liens, taxes, and the documents needed for settlement. Bring the statements, notices, or estate papers you have; you can start before every detail is settled.
Review the settlement sheet
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.
Choose whether to close
If you choose to proceed, the closing is through a title company. 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
Compare the written Cash Offer and EZ Sale terms. You choose the path that works for your house and situation.
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 Traverse City, MI calculator →
Questions about the two options? Call 888-274-5006.
Local records that can affect the steps
Check the parcel before choosing a county office
Traverse City's city-place geography overlaps Grand Traverse and Leelanau counties. That is city-scale orientation only; it does not identify the county for a particular parcel. The title company checks the records that apply to the actual property. City assessment records are different from recorded deeds and tax payments.
Grand Traverse County Register of Deeds ↗
Use this county route for recorded deeds and land records when the parcel is in Grand Traverse County. The title company checks which records apply to the actual sale.
Leelanau County Register of Deeds ↗
Use this county route for recorded deeds and land records when the parcel is in Leelanau County. Confirm the parcel’s county before choosing a county records office.
Closing numbers
Read the settlement figures before closing
The settlement sheet shows the sale price, payoffs, liens, taxes, costs, and the amount scheduled for disbursement. Ask about any line you do not recognize. 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.
When you sell to us, we pay the closing costs.
For an ordinary taxable sale, Michigan's state real estate transfer tax is $3.75 for each $500 of the property's value at sale, or part of $500. The county tax is generally another 55 cents for each $500, or part. State and county exemptions are separate, so the property's county, sale value, and any exemption need to be checked for the actual sale. The title company confirms the final figures.
The closing-cost payment does not include your mortgage balance, liens, back taxes, or your share of current property taxes.
Michigan state real estate transfer tax law ↗Michigan county real estate transfer tax law ↗Michigan Treasury guidance on transfer-tax exemptions ↗
Compare possible Traverse City net proceeds with the calculator →
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
Find the next answer for your situation
Traverse City process questions
Can I start before every property question is settled?
Yes. Start with the address and what you know about the house, who lives there, and your timing. You can tell us which details are still unclear.
Do I have to repair, clean, or clear the house first?
We buy houses as-is, in any condition — no repairs, no cleaning, no cleanout required to sell to us.
Which county should I check for a Traverse City property?
Traverse City city-place geography overlaps Grand Traverse and Leelanau counties. That city-scale fact does not identify the county for an individual parcel, so check the parcel record before using county records.
What closing costs do you pay?
When you sell to us, we pay the closing costs. Mortgage balances, liens, back taxes, and your share of current property taxes are separate.
Talk through your Traverse City house
Call 888-274-5006 or use the form to start with the property address, condition, occupancy, and timing. Questions before every detail is settled are welcome.
We'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. You can start before every property question is settled.