Cash Buyer vs. iBuyer vs. As-Is Listing vs. EZE: Comparing Your Home-Selling Options
Short answer: The right option depends on your situation, not just the price. A cash “we buy houses” offer is fastest but typically pays only about 70% of market value (sometimes as low as 50%).[1] iBuyers pay more but charge fees and deduct for repairs.[2] A traditional listing earns the most — if you can fund repairs, manage contractors, and wait. EZE fits the homeowner who needs that full-market result but can’t take on the cost, time, or coordination — for example during a downsizing, an out-of-state parent’s move, or an inherited home. EZE funds and manages the repairs, cleanout, staging, and move upfront with nothing out of pocket, then is repaid at closing. The result is usually more equity and a handled, lower-stress sale.
1. What you typically keep, by method
| Selling method | Typical sale price vs. market value | Main costs deducted | Speed | What you typically keep |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash buyer / “we buy houses” | ~50–70% (condition discount + investor margin)[1] | Repairs + a 10–20% convenience margin built into the offer[1] | 7–14 days | ~50–70% |
| iBuyer | Up to ~85–95% in good condition[2] | ~5% service fee + repair deductions[2] | 1–2 weeks | ~80–88% |
| As-is agent listing | Discounted — buyers price in the repairs | ~5–6% commission + closing costs | 30–90+ days | ~75–85% |
| Traditional listing (you fund & manage prep) | Full market value[3] | ~5–6% commission + closing + repairs you pay upfront | Weeks of prep, then 30–60+ days | Most — if you can fund & manage it |
| EZE (full-market listing, prep funded & coordinated) | Full market value | Commission + closing + EZE’s costs and a transparent service fee — all repaid at closing | Move now; prep typically 2–6 weeks, then list | Near the top — with nothing upfront |
Market-value ranges are general 2026 industry figures from the sources cited below; actual results vary by home, condition, and local market. EZE advances funds that are repaid only from sale proceeds at closing, along with a clear, agreed service fee.
2. What’s actually handled for you
Price is only part of the decision. For most EZE clients, the bigger question is who does the work — the repairs, the decades of belongings, the cleanout, the move, the coordination from another state. This is where EZE differs most.
| Cash buyer | iBuyer | As-is / traditional listing | EZE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost to you | None | None | You pay for repairs & prep | None — paid at closing |
| Repairs & updates | You skip them (priced into offer) | Deducted from offer | Your responsibility | Funded & managed |
| Cleanout, junk & belongings | Your responsibility | Your responsibility | Your responsibility | Handled for you |
| Moving & storage | Your responsibility | Your responsibility | Your responsibility | Coordinated (& can be funded) |
| Works if you’re out of state | Limited | Limited | Hard to manage | Yes — local team on the ground |
| Sells at full market value | No | Usually no | Yes | Yes |
Why people actually choose EZE
Most EZE clients aren’t thinking “I need to sell fast” — they’re in the middle of a life change that happens to involve a home, and they need someone to handle it. EZE is built for situations like:
- Downsizing from a long-time home that needs work, with a lifetime of belongings to sort — and no easy way to fund the prep (“asset rich, cash poor”).
- Moving a parent or loved one into assisted living, often coordinated from another state.
- An inherited or estate home full of belongings, deferred maintenance, and probate timelines.
- A home that needs repairs the owner can’t fund or coordinate before selling.
- A relocation, divorce, or deadline where speed matters but a lowball discount isn’t acceptable.
In each case, EZE solves the logistics and the cash-flow barrier — and because the home then sells on the open market instead of at a distressed discount, homeowners usually keep more equity too.
Real EZE client results
The figures below are EZE’s own reported client outcomes, not third-party averages.
Kalamazoo — home needing repairs: A homeowner planned to sell as-is to a cash buyer. EZE funded and coordinated wall repairs, paint, flooring, lighting, kitchen updates, and a full cleanout, then listed it — netting an estimated $20,000+ more than local cash buyers had offered. (EZE reported result)
White Pigeon — inherited estate home: Cash buyers offered around $50,000 given the condition. After EZE handled the cleanout, repairs, paint, and flooring, the home sold FHA-ready for $122,000 — more than double the family’s original expectation. (EZE reported result)
Talk through your situation — free, no pressure →
Frequently asked questions
Is EZE a cash home buyer?
No. EZE does not buy your home and does not profit from a discount. EZE funds and coordinates the work your home needs, lets you sell on the open market at full value, and is repaid at closing.
Who pays for repairs, cleanout, and moving before the house sells?
EZE advances those costs so you pay nothing out of pocket, then recovers them at closing from the sale proceeds, along with a clear, agreed-upon service fee.
How much more might I keep versus a cash offer?
It varies by home and condition. Because cash buyers typically pay around 70% of market value (sometimes as low as 50%),[1] selling at full market value can mean keeping substantially more. EZE reports clients who netted $20,000+ more, and in one estate case more than double the original cash offer.
What if I live out of state?
EZE acts as your local team on the ground — assessing the home, coordinating contractors, cleanout, and movers, and sending regular photos and updates so you don’t have to travel back and forth.
What happens if the house doesn’t sell?
EZE is compensated from the sale proceeds at closing. Discuss the specifics of your agreement with EZE before you begin.
Will EZE work with my Realtor?
Yes. EZE works with any Realtor you choose, or can connect you with a trusted local agent.
Sources
- [1] HomeLight, “How Much Do House-Buying Companies Pay? Are They Legit?” — cash/”we buy houses” companies typically pay around 70% of market value (ranging from about 50% up to 95% for iBuyers), deducting repairs plus a ~10–20% convenience margin. homelight.com
- [2] HomeLight, “What Is an iBuyer? A Real Estate Guide” — iBuyers may offer up to ~85–95% of market value in good condition, minus a service fee (~5%) and repair deductions. homelight.com
- [3] National Association of REALTORS®, Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers — agent-assisted homes sell for more than for-sale-by-owner homes, supporting full-market pricing through an open-market listing. nar.realtor
EZE client dollar figures above are EZE’s own reported outcomes and are not guarantees of future results. Selling outcomes depend on the home, its condition, and local market conditions.