To sell your property for cash in Union City CA, you contact a local cash buyer, share your property details, and receive an offer within 24 to 48 hours. If you accept, you skip repairs, agent commissions, and long closing timelines. Most cash sales close in 7 to 14 days. It is a direct, fast option for homeowners who want certainty over top dollar.
Homes in Union City are worth serious money. According to Redfin, the median sale price sat at $1.3 million in December 2025. But high prices do not always mean easy sales. The average home still spends about 20 days on the market, and that timeline can stretch much longer if your property needs work, you face foreclosure, or you simply need to move fast.
If any of that sounds familiar, a cash sale could be the right move. This guide walks you through how the process works, what it costs you, who it makes sense for, and how to spot a trustworthy buyer in Union City.
What a Cash Sale Actually Means
A cash sale means a buyer purchases your home without using a mortgage. No bank approval. No appraisal contingencies. No waiting for a loan to fund.
In practice, this means the deal moves much faster than a traditional sale. Cash buyers are usually real estate investors or companies that buy homes directly. They make you an offer, you accept or negotiate, and you pick a closing date that works for you.
You will not get full market value in most cases. Cash buyers price in the cost of repairs they will handle and their profit margin. But you also skip agent commissions (typically 5% to 6%), repair costs, and months of holding costs.
Who Benefits Most from Selling for Cash
A cash sale is not for everyone. But for certain situations, it is often the cleanest option available.
You are a strong candidate if you are:
- Facing foreclosure or behind on mortgage payments
- Going through a divorce and need to split assets quickly
- Dealing with an inherited property you do not want to manage
- Relocating for work and cannot wait months to close
- Holding a property that needs major repairs, you cannot afford
- A landlord dealing with difficult tenants or a vacant rental
According to ATTOM Data Solutions, distressed sales, including foreclosures and short sales, made up about 8% of all U.S. home sales in 2024. For sellers in those situations, speed and certainty often matter more than price.
How to Sell Your Property for Cash in Union City CA
The process is straightforward. Here is what a typical cash sale looks like from start to finish.
Step 1: Contact a local cash buyer. Submit your address and basic property details through the buyer’s website or by phone. Most companies respond within 24 hours.
Step 2: Schedule a walkthrough. The buyer visits your property to assess its condition. This usually takes 30 to 60 minutes and costs you nothing.
Step 3: Review the cash offer. You receive a written offer, typically within 24 to 48 hours after the walkthrough. There is no obligation to accept.
Step 4: Negotiate if needed. A good buyer will explain how they calculated the offer. You can ask questions and push back on terms.
Step 5: Sign the purchase agreement. Once you agree on price and terms, you sign a simple contract. You choose the closing date.
Step 6: Close and get paid. Closing happens at a title company. Most cash sales in Union City close in 7 to 14 days. You walk away with your funds, minus any outstanding mortgage balance or liens.
What You Give Up and What You Gain
Selling for cash involves real trade-offs. You need to understand both sides before you decide.
On the traditional market, Union City data shows that 51% of homes sold over asking price in Q3 and Q4 of 2025, with a sales price averaging about 104% of list price, according to market analyst Juliana Lee. That is a strong seller’s market for well-priced, move-in-ready homes.
But “well-priced and move-in-ready” is the key phrase. If your property needs significant updates or you cannot afford to wait, that upside is harder to capture.
Here is a side-by-side comparison:
Traditional listing:
- Higher sale price potential
- Agent commissions of 5% to 6%
- Repair and staging costs
- 20 to 60+ days to close
- Deals can fall through due to financing
Cash sale:
- Lower offer price
- No agent fees or commissions
- No repairs required
- Close in 7 to 14 days
- No financing contingencies
For a $1.3 million home, agent commissions alone can cost $65,000 to $78,000. Add in repair costs, carrying costs for two to three months, and the time value of your money, and the gap between a cash offer and a listed price often narrows significantly.
How to Find a Trustworthy Cash Buyer
Union City has several local cash buyers operating in the East Bay. Not all of them are equal. Before you sign anything, do your homework.
Look for these signs of a credible buyer:
- A verifiable local address and phone number
- Genuine reviews on Google, Yelp, or the Better Business Bureau
- Clear explanation of how they calculate offers
- No upfront fees of any kind
- Willingness to let you consult an attorney or title company before signing
- Flexible closing timelines based on your needs
Avoid any buyer who pressures you to sign fast, charges fees before closing, or gives you a verbal offer without a written contract.
You can also check with the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) to verify whether a buyer or their company holds a valid license if they are acting as a broker.
Internal link suggestion: Learn more in our guide to [how cash home buyers work in the Bay Area] and our breakdown of [what to look for in a home sale contract in California].
Common Reasons Union City Sellers Go the Cash Route
Real estate professionals working in Alameda County note that sellers often choose cash buyers not because they are desperate, but because they want control. A traditional sale gives you a higher ceiling but less certainty. A cash sale gives you a fixed outcome on a fixed date.
According to a 2024 report from the National Association of Realtors, 26% of home sales nationally were all-cash transactions, up from 22% the year before. In high-cost markets like the Bay Area, that share tends to be even higher.
Union City’s market, while competitive, still sees buyers pulling out of deals when rates shift or appraisals come in low. A cash sale removes that risk entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I pay taxes on a cash home sale in California?
Yes, California taxes capital gains as ordinary income. If you have lived in your home for at least two of the past five years, you may exclude up to $250,000 (or $500,000 if married) from federal capital gains. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Can I sell my Union City home for cash if I still have a mortgage?
Yes. The buyer pays off your remaining mortgage balance at closing. You receive whatever is left after the payoff.
How fast can I really close on a cash sale?
Most cash buyers in Union City can close in 7 to 14 days. Some can close in as few as 3 to 5 days if needed, depending on title clearance.
Do cash buyers buy homes in poor condition?
Yes. That is one of the main reasons sellers choose this route. Cash buyers purchase properties as-is, including homes with structural issues, water damage, or code violations.
Is a cash offer negotiable?
It is. You can counter any offer. A reputable buyer will walk you through their numbers and work with you on a fair price. If a buyer refuses to negotiate at all, that is a warning sign.
