Why Traditional Selling Isn’t Always the Most Profitable

Hey everyone, Juan Diaz here from Twin Home Buyer.

Most homeowners assume listing with an agent always brings the highest return.

But in 2026, that’s not always true.

With mortgage rates around 6%, rising inventory in places like Oakland, and buyers becoming more selective, the real question isn’t just the sale price — it’s your final net after all costs.

And that’s where traditional sales can quietly eat into your profit.

The Real Costs of Selling Traditionally

Realtor Commissions

This is usually the biggest expense.

5–6% total commission
$2.5M Burlingame home → $125K–$150K
$700K Oakland home → $35K–$42K

Cash sale: $0 in commissions

Repairs and Buyer Credits

Buyers almost always request repairs after inspections.

Common issues:

plumbing
roof
electrical
code violations

Typical costs can range from $10K to $50K+

Cash sale: No repairs needed — sold as-is

Staging and Marketing Costs

To compete in today’s market, sellers often pay for:

staging
professional photography
marketing
open houses

Typical range: $5K–$15K+

Cash sale: $0 — no prep required

Holding Costs While Waiting

Homes don’t always sell quickly, especially if they need work.

Average timelines can stretch from weeks to months, depending on condition and location.

Monthly costs may include:

mortgage
property taxes
insurance
utilities

That can easily add up to $2K–$8K+ per month

Cash sale: Fast closing = minimal holding costs

Closing Costs

Seller-side closing costs can add up:

escrow fees
title costs
transfer taxes

Typically around 1–2% of the sale price

Cash sale: Many costs are covered by the buyer

Price Reductions and Negotiations

In today’s selective market, buyers have options.

That often leads to:

price drops
repair credits
concessions

Even a 2–5% reduction can mean tens of thousands lost.

Cash sale: Fixed offer — no renegotiation

What the Numbers Can Look Like

Example: $2.5M Burlingame Home

Traditional:

Sale price: $2.5M
After commissions, repairs, costs → net around $2.3M

Cash:

Offer slightly lower upfront
But after fewer costs → net can be equal or higher

Example: $750K Oakland Home

Traditional:

Net after expenses: roughly $650K–$680K

Cash:

Often lands in the same or higher range
Without the delays or stress

Why Cash Works Better for Many Sellers

Cash sales simplify the entire process.

✔ No repairs
✔ No commissions
✔ No showings
✔ Faster closing
✔ More certainty

For homes that need work or sellers who value speed, this often makes a big difference.

When a Traditional Sale Might Still Make Sense

There are situations where listing can work well:

Fully renovated, move-in ready homes
High-demand luxury properties in prime areas
Sellers with time and flexibility

But for many homeowners, especially those dealing with repairs or time pressure, cash can be the more practical option.

How My Background Helps Sellers

As a licensed general contractor and C36 plumber, I don’t rely on inflated repair estimates.

I assess properties myself and calculate real costs.

That allows us to make fair offers without padding numbers, which often helps sellers walk away with a stronger net.

Thinking About Selling Your Home?

If you’re in:

let’s talk.

You’ll get:

a no-obligation cash offer
transparent numbers
flexible closing
no repair requirements

Call: (415) 415-TWIN
Text:(415) 415-TWIN

Hidden costs add up fast — cash helps you avoid them.

— Juan Diaz
CEO, Twin Home Buyer
Licensed General Contractor | C36 Plumbing

What Our Clients Say

⭐ Trusted by Homeowners Everywhere

We’re proud that 92% of our customers rate their experience with us as excellent.

Rafael P.

★★★★★

Stress free process, paid all the closing costs and didn’t have to do any cleaning or repairs. Juan Diaz and team are men of their word. Very professional and respectful. The escrow process was a piece of cake. The best part is they close faster than any realtor listing the house ever could. If you’re looking for a no hassle way to sell your house quickly then I definitely recommend Twin home buyer and team.

Robert R.

★★★★★

I can’t speak highly enough about Juan Diaz and his team at Twin Home Buyer. I'm truly honored to be able to work with them and learn from them. Their professionalism, knowledge, honesty, integrity, and hard work ethics are very much admired and respected. They are highly experienced, detail oriented, honest, and truly care about their clients' needs. They deliver on their promises and go above and beyond to get the job done. I look forward to continuing to work with them. I recommend them 100%!

Edgar R.

★★★★★

Called Twin Home Buyer with questions about my property. They listened, offered honest advice, and followed up just like they said they would. Super kind and no pressure. I haven’t sold yet, but I’d definitely recommend giving them a call. Great people!

Jose J.

★★★★★

The twin home buyer was awesome to deal with although they did not buy my house. They recommended me over to an amazing realtor that was able to get top dollar for my property. They let me know upfront that it was not the right match that they could not help me, but it didn’t stop there this company generally cares

Gabriela G.

★★★★★

I've had the opportunity to work with Twin Home Buyer on a few occasions. And everytime has been a great experience. They do excellent work! Juan Diaz is Honest, trustworthy and very easy to work with. I always recommend him to my clients when they want a cash, quick close. I look forward to keep working with them in the future.

Tewfik H

★★★★★

I met with Juan Diaz on Saturday April 2nd and after showing him my property we sat down and discussed price. We finally agreed on a price that was not far off my asking. I felt strongly that Juan was genuine. He sent me a sale and purchase agreement that afternoon. I reviewed and had an advisor from HomeLight review it. The advisor said it was a "good agreement" and that it was "solid". I proceeded with the agreement on April 4th with up to 60 days to close. I may close sooner if I wish. Before meeting Juan I was dealing with two RE agents. One was great bit she overpromised the selling price, even when I presented her with contradictory comps. The other RE agent was pushy and persistent. Both agents wanted me to pour more money into the property. I felt that repairs and improvements were constantly draining my energy. What Juan gave me was a solution to my endless repairs and freedom from dealing with agents. He also alleviated my concerns by offering an Earnest Money Deposit of $50K. That's more than the standard $19.5K. He will also pay all the closing costs. All I would be responsible for is paying off the loan. I was almost immediately notified by the Title Company that the money was in Escrow. To sweeten the deal he also offered to have his guys move our stuff. I told him that I did not expect that but I definitely welcome it. Today someone dropped off 10 heavy duty boxes as I had requested. What more, there's is no need to clear out all of the junk that we accumulated over the years. That's a big help along with the 60 days. Moving is a stressful period in life and Juan made it that much easier. Now I will sit back and wait for an opportunity to buy again.

Tewfik H

★★★★★

Twin Home Buyer made selling my house simple and hassle-free. Their offer was fair, and they handled everything efficiently. I couldn’t have asked for a smoother experience!..

Abbas M.

★★★★★

Very seamless and professional. They do exactly what they say they would do. We work with a lot of sellers and I continue to refer to Juan and team for those who want to sell quickly and with the least hassle.

Suzanne P.

★★★★★

I had the pleasure of being contacted by one of the team members with Twin Homes. She was very pleasant to speak with and asked me to assist with the sale of one of their homes. She was prompt and available when I needed her. I later spoke with Juan Diaz who exemplified the values I stand for as a real estate professional. I have had such pleasant interactions with the entire team that I would always pick up the phone for them. If you have the opportunity to work on the buy or sale side I am sure you will be surprised with the communication and attention to detail they show. They have done the big and little things very well.

Gabriela G.

★★★★★

Bianca C.

★★★★★

What sets Twin Home Buyer apart is their personalized approach to customer service. The team took the time to understand my unique needs and provided tailored support and guidance every step of the way, ensuring a seamless selling experience. Overall, I couldn't be more satisfied with my experience with Twin Home Buyer. If you're considering selling your home and want a hassle-free, fair, and transparent process, I highly recommend reaching out to Twin Home Buyer.

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