Cash Home Buyers vs. Realtors: What Maryland Sellers Actually Keep After Costs
Choosing between a cash buyer and a realtor comes down to one real question: what do you actually keep after every cost is paid? A traditional agent-assisted sale in Maryland typically includes commissions, closing costs, and repair costs that a cash sale doesn’t. Here’s a side-by-side breakdown so you can see the real math for your situation, not just the headline offer number.
Table of Contents
- The Real Cost of Selling With a Realtor in Maryland
- The Real Cost of Selling to a Cash Buyer
- Side-by-Side Comparison
- When a Realtor Sale Makes More Sense
- When a Cash Sale Makes More Sense
- FAQ
The Real Cost of Selling With a Realtor in Maryland
A traditional listing comes with several layered costs that come directly out of your proceeds at closing:
Agent commissions. A February 2026 survey of real estate agents nationwide found Maryland sellers pay an average commission of about 5.41% of the sale price, according to RealEstateWitch’s Maryland closing cost data. On a $400,000 home, that’s roughly $21,600 before any other costs.
Closing costs. Beyond commission, Maryland sellers pay average closing costs of about 3.27% of the sale price, covering title fees, transfer taxes, and recording fees, per the same report.
Repairs and prep. Buyers using a mortgage typically expect the home to pass inspection and appraisal. Repair requests, staging, and pre-listing updates are common added costs that vary widely by property condition.
Carrying costs while listed. Every month a home sits on the market is another month of mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, and utilities — costs that don’t show up in the sale price but come directly out of your pocket.
The Real Cost of Selling to a Cash Buyer
Selling directly to a cash home buying company like Executive Pro Home Buyers works differently:
- No commissions. There’s no agent involved, so there’s no commission to pay.
- No closing costs to the seller. We cover standard closing costs as part of our offer.
- No repairs. Homes are purchased as-is, in any condition.
- No carrying costs while waiting. Closing can happen in as little as 7 days once you accept an offer, following our simple 3-step process.
The trade-off is straightforward and one we’re upfront about: a cash offer is typically lower than full retail market value, because it reflects speed, certainty, and zero added costs to you. It won’t always be the highest possible number on paper — but it’s the number you actually walk away with.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Selling With a Realtor | Selling to a Cash Buyer | |
|---|---|---|
| Average commission | ~5.41% of sale price | $0 |
| Average closing costs | ~3.27% of sale price | $0 (covered by buyer) |
| Repairs required | Often, to pass inspection/appraisal | None — sold as-is |
| Typical timeline | Weeks to months | As little as 7 days |
| Financing risk | Buyer’s mortgage can fall through | None — no financing involved |
| Showings required | Yes, often multiple | No |
On a $400,000 Maryland home, commission and closing costs alone typically run around $34,700 in a traditional sale — before repairs or carrying costs are factored in. That gap is the real number to weigh against a cash offer, not just the sticker price difference. For a closer look at typical offer ranges, see how much cash buyers typically pay for a Maryland home.
When a Realtor Sale Makes More Sense
A traditional listing is often the better choice when:
- You’re in no rush and can wait out a longer marketing and closing timeline.
- Your home is in good, move-in-ready condition with little to no repair work needed.
- You want to maximize sale price and have flexibility to negotiate with multiple buyers.
- You’re comfortable managing showings, inspections, and appraisal contingencies.
When a Cash Sale Makes More Sense
A direct cash sale tends to make more sense when:
- You need to sell on a tight timeline — job relocation, financial hardship, or facing foreclosure.
- The home needs repairs you don’t want to pay for or manage.
- You’ve inherited a property and want a simple, fast resolution.
- You want certainty over the possibility of a higher price that isn’t guaranteed.
If speed and certainty matter more than squeezing out the last few percentage points of sale price, get your free, no-obligation cash offer and compare it against what a traditional sale would actually net you after costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do cash home buyers always pay less than realtors get for a house?
The initial offer is typically lower than a home’s full retail market value, but a traditional sale also carries commission, closing cost, and repair expenses a cash sale doesn’t. The real comparison is what you keep after all costs, not the sale price alone.
Q: Is it cheaper to sell my house without a realtor in Maryland?
Selling without a realtor removes commission costs, but you still typically pay closing costs and are responsible for marketing, negotiating, and handling paperwork yourself unless you work with a cash buyer who manages that for you.
Q: How do I know if a cash offer from Executive Pro Home Buyers is fair?
We base every offer on your home’s condition and recent comparable sales in your area, and we’re happy to walk you through how we arrived at the number. There’s no obligation to accept.
Q: Can I sell to a cash buyer if I still have a mortgage?
Yes. At closing, your existing mortgage balance is paid off directly from the sale proceeds, and you receive the remaining amount. This works the same way whether you sell to a cash buyer or through a traditional agent-assisted sale.
See What You’d Actually Keep With a Cash Sale
Compare your options side by side. Get a fair, no-obligation cash offer on your Maryland home and see the real numbers for your situation — no commissions, no closing costs, no repairs.
Get Your Free Cash Offer → | Call 443-830-3677