How Our Sacramento Cash-Offer Process Works

Our Sacramento overview page walks through the basic steps of selling to us. This page goes deeper into the Sacramento-specific mechanics behind each one – how we actually price a property, who handles the closing, and what it means for what you walk away with.

Step 1: A Property Evaluation Built on Your Actual Neighborhood

The Sacramento area does not have one housing market – values can shift meaningfully between Midtown, Land Park, East Sacramento, Natomas, Arden-Arcade, Elk Grove, Rancho Cordova, Folsom, and Citrus Heights. Rather than applying a countywide formula, we pull recent comparable sales specific to your neighborhood, adjust for the property’s condition, size, lot, and any repair needs, and build the offer from those real, local numbers.

Step 2: A Written Offer and a Licensed Escrow Company

Once we agree on a price, the purchase agreement goes into escrow with a licensed Sacramento-area title and escrow company – a neutral third party, not us and not you. The title company runs a full title search, clears any liens, judgments, or unpaid taxes against the property, and holds the funds until every condition of the sale is met.

Step 3: Signing – Remote or In-Person

California allows remote online notarization (RON) for real estate closings, so if you have relocated out of state or simply prefer not to drive to a title office, you can sign the closing documents remotely with a live online notary. If you would rather sign in person, that is available too, either at the title company’s office or with a mobile notary who comes to you.

Step 4: Recording at the Sacramento County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk

Once signing is complete and funds are ready, the deed is recorded with the Sacramento County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk, located at 3636 American River Drive, Sacramento – the office that makes the transfer official and public. Recording usually happens the same day funds are confirmed, which is the moment the sale is actually complete.

What You Net: Transfer Tax Still Applies, Commission Does Not

One cost that does not go away no matter who you sell to is the documentary transfer tax, which in California is set at a statewide standard rate of $1.10 per $1,000 of the sale price ($0.55 per $500). This is a tax owed on the transfer itself, not a fee tied to using an agent, so it applies the same way whether you sell to us or to a retail buyer. What you do avoid selling to us is the 5-6% agent commission and any repair credits, which is where most of the actual savings comes from.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is my offer actually calculated?
From recent comparable sales in your specific neighborhood, adjusted for the property’s condition and any repairs it needs.

Do I have to sign in person?
No. California permits remote online notarization for real estate closings, so signing remotely is an option.

What is the documentary transfer tax on my sale?
The statewide standard rate is $1.10 per $1,000 of the sale price. Confirm the exact figure that applies to your specific transaction with your title company.

Do I pay any commission if I sell to you?
No. There is no agent commission on a direct sale, though standard transfer taxes still apply as they would on any sale.

Transfer tax rates are set by the State of California and can be affected by local ordinances; confirm current figures with your title company or a tax professional before closing.

Get a free, no-obligation cash offer from Cash Home Buyers CA today.