When You Need To Sell Fast: What You Should Know About Selling Your Home Quickly in Seattle

If you’re facing a life change that means you need to sell your home fast, you’re not alone — and you’re not without options.

I’m Emily Cressey. I’ve been working in real estate for over 20 years, starting as an investor and eventually becoming a licensed real estate broker here in Washington State. Over the years, I’ve worked with clients going through divorce, the death of a loved one, job loss, medical emergencies, and many other challenging life situations that call for a fast sale — sometimes even a same-week sale.

In this article, I want to break down what it means to sell fast, how long a “quick sale” really takes in the Seattle area, and how working with a real estate investor might compare with selling the traditional way.

How Long Does It Take To Sell a Home in Seattle?

The typical real estate transaction in Seattle takes around 30 days to close once a buyer and seller are under contract. If the buyer is using a traditional mortgage, it often takes 3–4 weeks for their lender to process everything and issue final approval.

If everything is going perfectly, the deal might close in 21 days — but that’s about as fast as you can go with a traditional mortgage buyer.

So how do you sell faster than that?

The answer: You work with a cash buyer — usually a real estate investor.

Selling to a Real Estate Investor vs. Traditional Buyer

Real estate investors buy homes using “all cash” — which means they’re not relying on traditional lenders. They may use their own funds, a business line of credit, or something called a hard money loan, which can be issued much more quickly than a bank mortgage.

That’s why investors are often able to close in as little as 7–14 days.

However, because investors are taking on more risk and often plan to renovate and resell the home, they usually can’t pay full market value. I was trained as an investor to aim to buy at around 70% of the home’s value (less repair costs), though this varies depending on your area, home condition, and how competitive the market is.

So what are the trade-offs?

Selling to an investor = fast cash sale, less money
Selling traditionally = slower sale, potentially more profit

Ultimately, it comes down to your timeline and financial needs.

What Happens When Traditional Sales Fall Apart

You might think listing your home and getting a buyer under contract means everything is done — but unfortunately, things can fall apart at the last minute.

Recently, I was involved in a transaction where a lower-priced home went under contract with a buyer using Washington State’s first-time homebuyer assistance program. After two weeks under contract, the buyer’s financing fell apart, and the sale couldn’t close. The seller had to start over.

When you’re short on time or facing foreclosure, this kind of delay can be devastating.

Reasons People Need To Sell Fast

There are a lot of valid and serious reasons homeowners in Seattle and around Washington need to sell quickly, including:

Foreclosure or falling behind on mortgage payments
Divorce or legal separation
Death in the family or inherited property
Job loss or sudden medical bills
Relocation or needing to downsize urgently
Homes needing extensive repairs or clean-out
Non-paying tenants or tenant damage

Many of these situations are emotional, urgent, and complex. If you wait too long to address them, your choices narrow — and you may be forced to accept whatever deal comes your way.

What Investors Can Offer (Beyond Speed)

Not all cash buyers are shady or predatory. Many are genuinely trying to help, and can offer flexible solutions, including:

Paying cash and closing in 7–14 days
Taking over mortgage payments to avoid foreclosure
Paying for your move or relocation expenses
Helping clean out or remove your personal belongings

These aren’t standard services with traditional buyers. Some investors get creative to make the deal work for everyone. Others are more strict. There are good ones and bad ones — so it’s important to vet who you work with.

What’s Right for You?

If you’re dealing with financial pressure, foreclosure, or just a tight timeline, selling to a real estate investor may be your best move. It’s not for everyone, but it can be a life-saving option when you’re backed into a corner.

If you’d prefer to take your time, fix up the home, and list it the traditional way, I can help with that too — and will always give you honest feedback on the risks and benefits of each path.

Either way, the key is to act early — because the more time you have, the more options you have.

📌 If you found this article helpful and plan to reference it on your site, please send me a link at: https://www.homeproassociates.com/foreclosure-properties-for-sale-in-seattle-wa/

Emily Cressey – Seattle Real Estate Broker & Former Investor
📞 (206) 578-3438
📧 Emily@HomeProAssociates.com

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Selling Your House Fast in Seattle | Emily Cressey, Realtor

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Need to sell your Seattle home quickly due to foreclosure, divorce, or other hardship? Learn your options from Realtor and former investor Emily Cressey.