Table of Contents
What costs do I pay when I sell to an investor? When you sell to EasySell Cash Homebuyers, we pay the title, escrow, transfer, and recording charges. You are responsible for your mortgage payoff, any liens, prorated property taxes, and any other debts tied to the property. I show those deductions on a net to the seller sheet before you sign.
My name is Marc Van Steyn, and I own EasySell Cash Homebuyers. I’ve been licensed in Ohio real estate for more than 20 years. I’ve closed over 250 transactions across Franklin, Delaware, Licking, and Fairfield counties.
Homeowners who search to sell my house fast usually want to know how much of the offer they’ll keep. Here’s what you pay, what we pay, and what comes out of your proceeds.
What costs do I pay when I sell to an investor in Columbus Ohio, line by line?
| Expense | Who pays |
|---|---|
| Real estate commissions | None charged |
| Owner’s title insurance | EasySell Cash Homebuyers |
| Escrow and settlement charges | EasySell Cash Homebuyers |
| County conveyance fee and $0.50 transfer fee | EasySell Cash Homebuyers |
| Deed recording | EasySell Cash Homebuyers |
| Cleanout and repairs | EasySell Cash Homebuyers, after closing |
| Mortgage and line of credit balances | Seller, from proceeds |
| Outstanding liens | Seller, from proceeds |
| Prorated property taxes | Seller |
| Other debts tied to the property, such as unpaid utilities, HOA dues, or assessments | Seller |
What closing costs does EasySell Cash Homebuyers pay when you sell a house in Columbus?
EasySell Cash Homebuyers pays for the owner’s title insurance policy, the title search, and the title examination. We also cover the county conveyance fee, the $0.50 transfer fee, and deed recording. The title company’s escrow and closing fees, document preparation, and the municipal lien search are on us too.
There’s no real estate commission because EasySell Cash Homebuyers purchases the property directly. I’m acting as the buyer, not as your listing agent.
The conveyance fee is Ohio’s transfer tax. In Franklin County it’s $3 per $1,000 of the price, made up of $1 for the state and $2 for the county. On a $230,000 sale, that’s $690.
What do Columbus sellers still pay at closing?
When I look at a house, one of the first things I check is how much the seller owes against it. A $230,000 offer doesn’t mean a $230,000 check at closing.
Your mortgage payoff, any line of credit secured by the house, and any liens the title search finds come out of your proceeds. Other obligations tied to the property, such as unpaid utilities, HOA dues, or assessments, are settled the same way.
Property taxes are prorated through closing. Since Ohio collects property taxes in arrears, the seller normally gives the buyer a credit for taxes that haven’t been billed yet. The title company calculates that amount using the tax proration terms in the contract. A lawyer you hire to review the contract is your own expense.
What costs do I pay when I sell to an investor instead of listing?
The sale price isn’t what you take home. Commissions, repairs, closing costs, and carrying costs all affect your proceeds.
The house could list for $260,000 after repairs, or sell to EasySell Cash Homebuyers for $230,000 as is.
| Line item | Traditional listing | EasySell Cash Homebuyers |
|---|---|---|
| Sale price | $260,000 | $230,000 |
| Agent commissions (6% in this example) | ($15,600) | $0 |
| Seller closing costs (3% in this example) | ($7,800) | $0, paid by EasySell Cash Homebuyers |
| Repairs to reach the $260,000 price | ($15,000) | $0, bought as is |
| Carrying costs at $1,600 a month | ($3,200) for 2 months | ($800) for 10 to 12 business days |
| Estimated net before payoffs and taxes | $218,400 | $229,200 |
| Time to cash | Depends on showings, offers, and buyer financing | 10 to 12 business days |
This is an example, not a quote. The 6% commission and 3% seller closing costs are estimates, not standard rates. Commissions are negotiable. I’ve also estimated $15,000 in repairs to get the house ready for a $260,000 sale. Carrying costs of $1,600 a month cover mortgage interest, insurance, utilities, and maintenance. Mortgage payoffs and prorated property taxes aren’t included in the final numbers because they apply to both sales.
On these assumptions, the cash sale nets about $10,800 more. If repairs cost less or the house sells faster, listing could put more money in your pocket.
If your house needs work, read more about selling a house as is in Columbus, Ohio to see how skipping repairs changes your net.
What happened when a Worthington homeowner sold a house to EasySell Cash Homebuyers?
This spring, I purchased a house in Worthington from a woman who was dealing with health issues. She wanted to move south to be closer to her family.
We paid $230,000. At closing, the title company paid off her existing mortgages and a line of credit. Property taxes were prorated through closing. EasySell Cash Homebuyers paid the title, escrow, and transfer costs, so she didn’t pay a commission.
Before she signed, she received a net to seller sheet showing the purchase price, her mortgage and line of credit payoffs, and what she would walk away with. At closing, the only change was the property tax proration.
We closed in about 12 business days. We could have closed sooner, but she felt comfortable with that time frame. We purchase properties throughout Worthington, including homes that need repairs. Learn more about how we buy houses in Worthington Ohio.
How long does it take to sell my house to a cash buyer in Columbus Ohio?
Most of our purchases close within 10 to 12 business days of signing the contract, provided the title is clear. The title work takes roughly 10 business days. Once it’s finished, we can close whenever the seller is ready.
We use a Columbus title company to handle the title search, escrow, and closing. The title search is also where liens, heirship problems, and recording issues come to light, which is why we don’t skip it.
How can a Columbus seller spot a wholesaler who will change the deal?
A wholesaler signs a contract to buy your house and plans to assign that contract to another buyer. Ohio Revised Code Section 5301.95 took effect March 2, 2026. It requires a wholesaler to give you a separate written disclosure before you sign a binding contract, and both of you must sign it.
The disclosure says the wholesaler is acting for itself and doesn’t represent you. It also says the wholesaler may assign your contract to another buyer for a profit, without your consent, and may charge that buyer a separate fee. If a wholesaler fails to provide the required disclosure before the binding contract, you have the right to cancel before closing without penalty.
Our guide to selling a house to a Columbus real estate investor covers what to check before you sign with any buyer.
Wholesaling is still legal, so read the contract anyway. Say a wholesaler offers $230,000, and $7,800 in closing costs shifts to your side of the settlement statement. That offer nets $222,200 before payoffs, which can be less than a lower offer from a buyer who pays those costs.
A deposit of $10 or $100 tells you the buyer has little to lose by walking away. EasySell Cash Homebuyers’ earnest money is $10,000. A long inspection period gives a wholesaler time to shop your contract. A wholesaler who asks for a price reduction days before closing may not have found another buyer willing to pay the original contract price.
Code violations are a separate issue from liens. The Columbus Department of Building and Zoning Services tracks open orders on a property. We explain how those sales work in our article on selling a house with code violations in Columbus Ohio.
Is selling a house to an investor in Columbus the right move for me?
If your house is in good condition and you have time to sell, I’d look seriously at listing it. A retail buyer will often pay more than an investor, even after commissions and closing costs. I’ve advised plenty of sellers to list instead when that put more money in their pocket.
A cash sale tends to fit when the house needs repairs, an estate is in probate, tenants are a problem, or you’re relocating on a deadline. Some sellers choose cash because they don’t want showings, repairs, or mortgage financing delays.
So, what costs do I pay when I sell to an investor? Your loan payoffs, liens, and prorated property taxes, plus any other debts tied to the property. EasySell Cash Homebuyers pays the transaction costs. If you’d like a net to seller sheet for your house, call me at 614.969.0624 or stop by our Columbus office.
What else do Columbus sellers ask before selling to an investor?
How much earnest money does a Columbus cash buyer put down?
EasySell Cash Homebuyers puts down $10,000 in earnest money, held by the title company. If you’re comparing offers, ask each buyer how much they’re depositing.
Are property taxes included when a Columbus investor says they pay all closing costs?
No. Ohio collects property taxes a year behind, so the title company prorates them through closing and deducts your share from your proceeds. Closing costs cover title, escrow, transfer, and recording charges.
What’s the difference between an owner’s title policy and a lender’s title policy?
An owner’s title insurance policy protects the buyer against certain title problems, including covered liens, ownership disputes, and defects in the property’s title. A lender’s policy protects the mortgage lender’s interest. A cash purchase doesn’t require a lender’s policy, and EasySell Cash Homebuyers pays for the owner’s policy.
Can I leave furniture and trash behind when I sell my Columbus house?
Yes. Take your family photos, clothing, and valuables, and leave the rest. EasySell Cash Homebuyers handles the cleanout, junk removal, and cleaning after closing, at our cost.
Can I sell my Columbus house if it has code violations or liens?
Yes. EasySell Cash Homebuyers buys houses with open code violations, city orders, and liens. Existing liens are addressed through the title company at closing. We handle the repairs after closing. If the city requires something to be corrected before the sale, we’ll address it before closing.
A note on legal information: Marc Van Steyn owns EasySell Cash Homebuyers and is a licensed Ohio real estate agent, not an attorney or CPA. This article is for general information and is not legal or tax advice.
