I Need to Sell My House Fast in Milwaukee: What Are My Options?

As life happens, selling your home fast in Milwaukee may become a necessity. Whether you’re relocating for work, looking to cash out your home’s equity, selling an inherited property, or working to put a divorce behind you, there are strategies that can help you sell your house fast in Milwaukee.

The two best strategies when you need to sell your Milwaukee house fast are: 1) seek out a cash offer from a reputable company or buyer, or 2) work with a top real estate agent to position your home to sell quickly.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the pros and cons of these strategies as you decide how to best approach your home sale. We sought out the advice of top Milwaukee real estate agents who know what it takes to sell a Milwaukee home fast and got their expert tips, so you can position your home for a fast sale.

Option 1: Sell your Milwaukee house fast for cash

HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform connects you to the largest network of cash buyers in the U.S. and can be the perfect solution when you need to sell your house fast in Milwaukee. Simple Sale allows you to sell your home when you’re ready, with closing in as little as 10 days and no additional fees or agent commissions. Plus, you won’t have to prep your home, pay for repairs, or deal with showings.

Simple Sale can remove the uncertainty of the home-selling process. Fill out our short questionnaire, and you’ll receive a no-obligation cash offer within a week. If you accept, you’ll work with a dedicated Client Advisor who will take care of almost everything while you focus on what’s next.

HomeLight was founded in 2012 and is BBB accredited with an A+ rating. The company has 4.6 stars on Google based on more than 500 user reviews.

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Who else will buy your Milwaukee house for cash?

Patrick Johnson, who completes 36% more sales than the average Milwaukee agent, says he typically sees a mix of investors and “regular everyday buyers using cash offers.” Often, according to Johnson, these buyers “have maybe sold their house in the last couple of months to a couple of years, and they have a pretty good chunk of change.”

Investors in Milwaukee often offer cash and forgo contingencies which can help facilitate a faster sale. But in this market, Johnson says he’s seen cash offers get beat with a financed offer, especially if the home is “in good shape, updated, and move-in ready.”

Cash buyers in Milwaukee

Another option, if you need to sell your house fast, is to work with a Milwaukee “we buy houses for cash” company. These companies make a cash offer on your home and can facilitate a fast home sale, but it’s important to do some research to make sure they are trustworthy and have a positive track record.

These are a few examples of house-buying companies that may offer cash for your Milwaukee home:

We Buy Ugly Houses® / HomeVestors® is one of the longer-standing house-buying companies in the U.S. HomeVestors was founded in 1996, and We Buy Ugly Houses is one of their subsidiaries. They boast clear and firm cash offers and visit the property before making an offer. The Milwaukee franchise, L7 Investments LLC, has been BBB accredited since 2018 and has an A+ rating.

Metro Milwaukee Home Buyer is a locally-owned family-run business that’s been around since 1999. They buy distressed properties regardless of the condition that they then sell or rent. Their A+ BBB rating, which they’ve maintained since 2018, and customer reviews note the professionalism of the owner and the company’s ability to explain its plans for investment in the property.

Cream City Home Buyers was founded in 2016 and has consistent 5-star reviews from their clients. The co-owners are committed to walking their customers through the home-selling process and explaining their offer generation formula. They have been BBB accredited since March 2020 and hold an A+ rating.

Captain Save-A-Home will respond to new customers in 24 hours or less and can be ready for the closing process in 10 days or less. This company has been BBB accredited since 2016, has an A+ rating, and receives consistently positive reviews.

Plan B HomeBuyers is an investment company that is used to handling distressed homes and is also a Certified Affordable Housing Provider for its buyers. They cover closing costs and don’t collect any fees or commissions. They have an A+ rating through the BBB and have been accredited since 2010.

Pros and cons of selling your Milwaukee house for cash

If you want to achieve a fast home sale, selling for cash is often the way to go. But it does come with cons that should be weighed along with the pros to make sure you’re making the right decision for your specific situation.

Here are some of the pros and cons that come with selling your home quickly for cash.

Pros

Fast closing: A cash sale is significantly faster than a traditional mortgage-backed home purchase, often allowing you to close in as few as three to 10 days.
No repairs needed: You can sell your home as-is, in most cases, with no repairs or renovations.
No fees or commissions: Many cash buyers will cover closing costs and fees.
No showings or open houses: You won’t have to stage the home for listing photos or prepare the property for showings or open houses.
No obligation until you commit: After you receive a no-obligation offer, you can compare it to other offers. You can even consult a Realtor® for comparisons.
Step away from a problem: With a fast cash sale, you can often avoid dealing with problem tenants or potential foreclosure.
No contingencies: Cash buyers can waive contingencies that can make negotiations difficult, namely the financing contingency and appraisal contingency.
No negotiating: You won’t have to deal with multiple buyers or the pressure of back-and-forth negotiating on price, credits, or repairs.
Move on with life: If you inherited a home, facing a divorce, dealing with a death, or having financial challenges, a cash sale can help you move on from the home and possibly resolve some issues faster.

Cons

Lower sale price: Cash sales typically result in a lower selling price than a traditional sale with the help of a qualified real estate agent.
Repairs cost may be deducted: If the home does need major repairs, the cost of those may be deducted from the offer, depending on the cash buyer.
May be harder to find a buyer: Depending on the condition or location of your home, you may have limited cash buyer options, especially if you have a unique property that will be harder for investors to flip.
You’ll need to vet companies: It’s important to do research on “we buy houses for cash” companies to make sure they are legitimate and reputable.
Transparency may be limited: Some cash buyers won’t share their home evaluation process or how they calculated their offer, which is sometimes reduced at the last minute.
Hidden fees: As you vet cash buyers, watch for hidden or unexpected fees. Read your purchase contract carefully before signing.

Option 2: Work with a top agent to sell fast in Milwaukee

Working with a top agent in Milwaukee can be a good option for sellers who would like to sell faster than average, but who have some time to devote to a traditional sale vs. an instant cash offer.

HomeLight data shows that not only do top agents sell their clients’ homes more quickly than average agents, but the top 5% of agents sell homes for up to 10% more than average agents. They also sell homes 10%-50% faster than the average agent.

Mo Simmons, who sells homes 55% quicker than the average Milwaukee agent, explains that “pricing correctly is the number one thing” for a fast sale. (More on this coming up in our “10 tips” section.)

“Agents have access to accurate market data that can help you price your home the right way,” Simmons says, adding that pricing correctly is “absolutely critical.”

Your best bet for balancing price and speed is to hire a top real estate agent. An agent will conduct a comparative market analysis (CMA) and compare your home to recently sold properties in the area of similar age, square footage, and condition to land on the most effective selling price.

What’s happening in the Milwaukee housing market?

The Milwaukee housing market saw a dip in homebuyer interest at the end of 2022 as interest rates continued to climb. But as buyers became acclimated to the higher rates, they began entering the market again, either buying their first home or selling their existing home and moving into a new one.

The market is currently favoring sellers, and Johnson says, “What we’re dealing with here is just another very competitive market.”

Jeremy Rynders, a top Milwaukee agent who works with over 81% more single-family homes than the average agent in the market, echoes Johnson’s assessment, saying that “buyer demand is huge, and therefore, it’s just a great time for sales.”

Inventory issues

According to Johnson, one of the underlying issues in the Milwaukee housing market is a lack of inventory. As rate shock discouraged some buyers and they backed off at the end of 2022, inventory was able to stabilize, but Milwaukee’s new listings were down 24% in the first quarter of 2023.

While this might not be the best news for buyers, sellers may be able to reap the benefits of a market that’s showing a “historically low level of new construction and lack of new listings,” according to the Greater Milwaukee Association of Realtors. These inventory levels, along with other factors, have resulted in a 7.6% year-over-year increase in the median sale price in March 2023. If you’re also buying a home, however, you’ll also have to contend with higher prices as a buyer.

Interest rate increases

Interest rates have begun to level out, but the historic rate hikes in 2022 had the desired effect of slowing the housing market as the year came to a close. According to Johnson, some home buyers were “riding the line of approval where the rate going up knocked them out from being able to either qualify or be able to buy what they really wanted in the market.” Others suffered rate shock as they watched interest rates nearly triple from their pandemic low of around 2%. Once buyers adjusted to current rates that fell in the 5%-7% range, they began to enter the market again.

Backlog of qualified buyers

As the market moves into the second quarter of 2023, Johnson is seeing a backlog of qualified buyers who stayed out of the market during rising interest rates. As these buyers reenter the market, they’ll be affected by the low inventory, which means there may be more opportunities for a fast sale. Many of these buyers are doing so as a result of “death, divorce, and job transfers,” according to Rynders, and there are fewer people considering intercity moves. So the buyers are not only qualified, but they’re also often motivated by necessity.

How fast are homes selling in Milwaukee?

The Milwaukee metropolitan area includes the counties of Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee, and Washington. While information like median home sale price, days on the market, and the number of active listings can give you a good idea of what the market is doing, it’s no match for working with a qualified agent to walk you through the process.

Each county is made up of individual cities, and each city is made up of individual neighborhoods, each with its own distinct trends and pricing. An agent who has helped buyers and sellers in these areas comes with specific knowledge of the market that can help you position your home for a fast sale.

County	DOM	Active Listings		YOY % Change		Median Sale Price	% of List Price
County	DOM	Single-Family	Townhouse/Condo	Single-Family	Townhouse/Condo	Median Sale Price	% of List Price
Milwaukee	24	765	186	-27.3%	-0.5%	$233,950	100.1%
Waukesha	26	479	183	+6.2%	+7%	$398,000	101.6%
Ozaukee	42	127	26	+2.4%	-25.7%	$433,500	99%
Washington	28	158	62	-6%0	0%	$358,125	100.5%

DOM (Days on market): Time between listing and a signed contract. Metro MLS data as of March 2023.

10 tips to sell a house fast in Milwaukee

Whether you sell your home for cash or work with an agent on a more traditional sale, there are strategies that can help you position your home for a fast sale in Milwaukee. Here are a few examples:

1. Set your price competitively

Rynders says that pricing your home right and getting it listed on the proper days, typically a Thursday or a Friday, are the first steps in a fast home sale in Milwaukee. It’s even more important when you’re trying to sell quickly but want to balance proceeds with speed. An experienced Milwaukee agent will perform a comparative market analysis to help you set the best price to sell a house fast in your market.

If you’re curious about your home’s current value, try HomeLight’s Home Value Estimator. While it shouldn’t dictate your final pricing strategy, an online home value estimate can give you a ballpark price range. You can get a preliminary estimate in less than two minutes.

2. Highlight a finished basement

Wisconsin weather keeps people indoors for much of the winter, so finished basements are a highly desirable feature, especially those with tall ceilings, according to Johnson. If you have a finished basement, even a partial one, make sure to highlight that in the listing and stage it so it looks welcoming and usable.

3. Focus on current aesthetics

While you may not have the time, inclination, or budget to complete extensive renovations or take on major repairs, Johnson says that buyers are looking for nicer kitchens and bathrooms that fit in with current aesthetics. Clean lines and minimal furniture can reveal the home’s potential without clashing with a buyer’s tastes.

4. Hire a professional photographer and videographer

According to a survey by the National Association of Realtors, 97% of homebuyers use the Internet in their search for a home. That means buyers will likely first view the property via the photos and videos you post in a listing. High-quality pictures and videos give buyers the best view and perspective on a property when viewed online.

The first six or eight photos of your listing are often the most crucial to engage buyers, so an experienced agent will prioritize the most important features of the house, whether it’s a gorgeous kitchen, a three-car garage, or a wide shot that reveals a green space.

5. Refresh your home’s curb appeal

Top agents agree that buyers will judge a book by its cover — the outside of the home is a reflection of what the inside is going to look like. It’s important that you make your home seem “special” before you list it. Add fresh paint where needed, plant some flowers, spruce up your front door and entryway, and do a deep clean to make sure the home is in top condition.

Top agents like Simmons and Rynders offer their clients multiple resources and benefits to help a home stand out to buyers, including photography, social media marketing, staging recommendations, and even help to prioritize which repairs and upgrades will get noticed and give sellers the most bang for their buck.

6. Showcase your outdoor space

Since the pandemic, more homebuyers are looking for usable outdoor space. This means extending your living space outdoors can be extremely appealing. More people are transforming their outdoor area to include a full furniture set or outdoor cooking area.

7. Advertise proximity and walkability

Walkability is important for many Milwaukee buyers. This makes it important for sellers to highlight parks, coffee shops, and local restaurants in the neighborhood. Proximity to other services can also play a role in selling your home. Highlight if you’re near the airport for frequent travelers or close to big offices for those who are commuting to work. If you’re in a great school district, point that out for families.

8. Promote space for extra lodging or a home office

If your property has an auxiliary dwelling unit (ADU), such as a mother-in-law cottage, emphasize this in your listing. Tell buyers if you have a home office or stage that extra room as an office. If you are selling a home with large square footage, leverage this.

9. Take advantage of market timing

Along with the recommendations above, it can be helpful to know the level of market activity in your area during different times of the year. HomeLight’s Best Time to Sell Calculator uses housing market data for your area to show you the best and worst months to sell your home. See when is the best time to sell a house if you want to make the most money and which months are best to sell your house fast.

10. Have a place to go once you sell

If you’re selling the home you’re living in, you’ll simultaneously be a buyer and a seller. This means that while you’ll command premiums on the sale of your home, you may also be paying a premium on the home you buy as well as face buyer competition. If you want to sell your home fast, make sure you’re ready to move on once it sells.

Rynders says in rare cases, sellers can sign a post-occupancy addendum with their buyer that may give them an additional 30-60 days. He says, “Because of the low inventory and buyers being so desperate to get a house under contract, many of them are flexible with post-occupancy.” But there’s still no guarantee that you’ll find a place, so he points out that this is a risky solution.

Ready to sell your Milwaukee home?

A top real estate agent in Milwaukee can help you navigate the many nuances that you might not otherwise discover until you’re swamped in the process. Their organization efficiencies and marketing expertise can help you sell your Milwaukee house fast.

If you need an even faster sale, HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform provides cash offers for homes in almost any condition in Milwaukee. If you don’t have the time or the means to prepare your home or move through the traditional listing process, you can skip the repairs and showings and close in as few as 10 days. Complete a short questionnaire and receive a no-obligation cash offer within a week.