A Boulder City owner can sell by taking a cash offer or by listing with an agent. A cash offer means a buyer offers to purchase your home with cash. Listing means you hire an agent to market your home to buyers. Ask both the same questions and compare each answer in writing.

At a glance

• Seven questions for a cash buyer, in the order you'd ask them.
• Seven questions for an agent, in the order you'd ask them.
• Four questions to ask yourself about date, number, repairs and showings.
• A side-by-side list of the questions that match.

Two ways to sell a Boulder City home

A cash offer and a listing answer the same question differently: who does the buying, and who does the work in between. With a cash offer, you decide whether to accept, counter, or decline. With listing, you decide whether to hire the agent and on what terms.

Answer these from your own situation first, then ask the same questions of a buyer and of an agent:

• By what date do I need to close, and what number would I accept?
• Which repairs, if any, am I willing to make before selling?
• How many showings am I willing to allow, and on which days?
• What would I want in writing before I agree to anything?

Questions to ask about a cash offer

Whatever the answer, get it in writing.

1. Who is the buyer, and are they buying the home themselves?

   A clear answer names the buyer and says whether they are buying the home themselves.

2. Is the offer in writing, and does it say what the buyer will pay?

   Listen for a yes, and for an amount the buyer will pay that you can read at your own pace.

3. What would I pay, if anything, before or at closing?

   A good answer lists each charge before or at closing, so you can see what comes out of your side of the sale.

4. Does the offer depend on an inspection or anything else?

   Conditions can change or end the deal later, so a good answer names every one of them in writing.

5. What date would closing happen, and can I choose it?

   Listen for a specific closing date that you get to pick.

6. What happens to my money if the sale doesn't close?

   Ask this to learn what is at risk if the sale falls through. A clear answer says what happens to your money.

7. Who handles the closing paperwork?

   You want a named person to ask when questions come up.

Questions to ask about listing your home

1. How would you market my home, and where would buyers see it?

   Listen for a plan that says what the agent would actually do and where buyers would see your home.

2. What does your agreement say about how you're paid?

   A good answer points you to the part of the agreement that sets out how the agent is paid, and you read it before you sign.

3. How long does the agreement last, and can I end it?

   The length and the way out decide how tied you are, so listen for both to be stated plainly.

4. What would you advise me to do to the home before listing, if anything?

   A good answer tells you what the agent expects of you on repairs, or says there is nothing to do.

5. How will you tell me about offers, and how often will we talk?

   Listen for a clear way you will hear about offers and a regular rhythm for talking.

6. Can I keep showings to certain days or times?

   Listen for the agent to accept your days and times, and put any agreed limits in writing.

7. If I need a certain closing date, how do we plan for it?

   Listen for a plan that works toward your date.

Three topics come up with both a cash buyer and an agent, so you can put the two answers next to each other:

Eight questions have no match, four for each side.

Ask a cash buyer:

• Who the buyer is and whether they are buying the home themselves
• Whether the offer is in writing and says what the buyer will pay
• What happens to your money if the sale doesn't close
• Who handles the closing paperwork

Ask an agent:

• How they would market your home
• How long the agreement lasts and whether you can end it
• How they will tell you about offers and how often you will talk
• Whether you can keep showings to certain days or times

How to choose between the two

Your own answers tell you which questions to press hardest. A firm closing date points you to the closing date questions for both a buyer and an agent. A number you won't go below points you to the written offer and what you'd pay.

If you'd rather leave repairs alone, press on what the offer depends on and on what an agent would advise. If you want fewer visits to your home, press on showings. In every case, note which answers you got in writing.

If you're buying instead of selling, the Boulder City NV Home Buying Guide is the page for you. For the city itself, see Living in Boulder City.

Questions people ask

Should I take a cash offer or list my Boulder City home?

That depends on your date, your number, your repairs, and your showings. Answer the four questions to ask yourself in "Two ways to sell a Boulder City home", then use "How to choose between the two" to see which questions to press hardest.

What should I ask a company that says it buys houses in Boulder City?

Start with who the buyer is, what the written offer says and what you'd pay before closing. Ask what the offer depends on and what happens if the sale doesn't close.

What should I ask an agent before I list my home?

Ask how the agent would market your home, how the agent is paid and how long the agreement lasts. Ask how you'd hear about offers and whether you can limit showings.

Can I get a written offer before I decide?

Yes, you can ask the buyer to put the terms in writing before you decide.

Who can I ask about selling in Boulder City?

Nate Smith handles real estate transactions in Boulder City.

Ask your questions about selling in Boulder City