If you’re selling your home in Fort Myers, you have an important decision to make:
When it comes time to sell your home, should you list it with a real estate agent or sell it directly to an investor?
Each has its advantages — but which course is right for you depends on your goals, your timeline, your home’s condition, and your financial needs. In this post, we’ll weigh the advantages and disadvantages of using a real estate agent vs. selling to a cash home buyer so you can determine the best option for you.
The Real Estate Market In Fort Myers explained
Fort Myers is one of Florida’s hottest housing markets. With its temperate weather, easy access to beaches and expanding job market, thousands of buyers migrate to the region annually. The market, however, waxes and wanes.
Key Facts:
Median home price (2024): Approximately $375,000
*Average days on market (agent-listed): 45 – 90 days
Investor close: Frequently 7–14 days
Primary pain-points for sellers: Repairs, waiting for buyers, agent commissions, financing delays
Fort Myers housing market If you’ve got a house in Fort Myers and want to sell it, or if you are looking to buy one, it’s hard to know whether to list or shop with the current state of the housing market. Fort Myers housing market generally favors houses in good condition — but what if your house is not in the best shape? Or are you going through foreclosure, probate, or a divorce? That’s when selling to an investor can make a difference.
Option 1: List with a Real Estate Agent in Fort Myers.
You could take the old school approach and hire a real estate agent. An agent puts your home on the MLS, advertises it, shows the property and negotiates for you.
Pros:
Market Exposure: Agents could list your home on the MLS and syndicate with Zillow, Realtor. com, and more.
Professional Marketing: They frequently hire a professional to take photos, 3D tours, and host open houses.
Negotiation Support: Experienced agents can help you maximize your sale price through vigorous negotiation.
Cons:
Commissions & Fees: Agents commonly take a commission of 5–6%. That’s $18,000–$22,500 if you buy a $375,000 home.
Prep Work & Repairs: You will probably need to clean, stage and repair before listing.
Time on Market: It might be months before the sale is closed — especially if the buyer has to finance the purchase.
No Guarantees: You’ll still need to strike a bit of good luck for your home to sell quickly, if at all.
Option 2: Sell Your Fort Myers Home to an Investment Company
Real estate investors (especially local cash house buyers) provide an option that’s more viable. They purchase homes as-is, for cash, and listings are often closed within days.
Pros:
As-Is Purchases: No repairs are needed, as investors will buy houses in any condition — mold, water damage, foundation problems, cluttered or out-of-date, it does not matter.
Quick Closings: Sell your house fast in just 7 to 14 days – perfect for moving, divorced, foreclosure or inherited houses.
No Commissions and No Fees: You get more of the offer because you are not paying the agents a fee or the closing costs.
Certainty: No waiting for the bank to apply for a loan, hold an open house or risk a buyer falling out of escrow because of loan failure.
Cons:
Under Market Value: Investors send bids close to retail because, they are paying for the repairs and will assume the risk.
Not Best for Brand-New Houses If your home is in mint condition, you may get more money on the open market.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Real Estate Agent | Real Estate Investor |
|---|---|---|
| Sales Timeline | 60–90+ days | 7–14 days |
| Repair Costs | Seller pays | Investor handles all repairs |
| Commissions | 5–6% of sale price | $0 |
| Closing Costs | Often shared or seller-paid | Usually paid by the investor |
| Certainty of Sale | Depends on market & buyers | 100% guaranteed (if accepted offer) |
| Showings Required | Yes | No |
| Best For | Turnkey homes, not in a rush | Distressed properties or fast sale |
When to Hire a Real Estate Agent?
Here are signs that you might want to hire a Realtor:
This home shows pride of ownership, great curb appealUILT IN 2003!
If you are not in a rush and can wait several months for the best offer
You are okay with staging, cleaning, and doing showings
You’re fine with paying $20,000+ in commissions and fees.
You are able to wait on buyer financing or inspections
When It Makes The Most Sense To Sell To An Investor In Fort Myers
HELOC Investors Cash investors are a perfect fit when:
Must sell in a hurry (foreclosure, probate, divorce, moving)
Can’t or won’t make repairs
You have inherited a property that you don’t want to keep
Are a landlord and are tired of tenants or evictions
Don’t want to work with agents or banks or visit open houses
Looking for a guaranteed, easy sale
Examples of This Happening in Real Life in Fort Myers
Illustrative Example 1: Foreclosure Prevention
Mike in Lehigh Acres was being foreclosed upon. He had only 3 weeks until the move, and could not wait 2–3 months on MLS. A local investor gave him a fair all-cash offer, closed in 10 days and saved his credit.
Example 2: Inherited Property
Sarah inherited a house in Fort Myers Beach from her aunt. It required more than $40,000 in repairs. Listing it would take months. She sold to an investor “as is” and saved months worth of carrying costs.
What Does Selling As-Is Really Mean?
When an investor says that they buy houses as-is, it means:
Nothing has to be cleaned and no garbage is removed.
Nothing to repaint, new flooring or leaky plumbing.
No appraisal or lenders inspection needed
This is something all home owners need from:
Code violations
Mold or termite damage
Fire or flood damage
Abandoned or vacant houses
The Most Widespread Myths About Cash Buyers
Myth: They’re all lowballers.
Fact: Reputable instate investors will use honest valuation methods to come up with their offer, and you’ll have estimates before you even contact them.
Myth: It’s a scam.
Truth: Valid investors are state registered, have Google and BBB ratings and close at a licensed title companies.
Myth: You have no control.
Truth: If it’s not to your liking, you can walk away, always. There’s no obligation.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
If you’re undecided and not sure which route is right for you, take a moment and ask yourself:
How soon do I have to sell?
Do I have enough money for repairs or for staging?
Do I feel comfortable opening my home to buyers, then cleaning it again?
Does this require 100%! certainty or can I wait to find a buyer?
Is the house in mint condition or is an as-is sale better?
How to Screen a Cash Fort Myers Home Buyer
Before deciding on a company, search for:
✅ In-Person at our Fort Myers office
✅ Real Google or BBB reviews
✅ Transparent offer process
✅ No-pressure communication
✅ Proof of funds
✅ Close quickly through a licensed title company
The Bottom Line
So — are you going to hire a real estate agent, or sell to an investor in Fort Myers?
Here’s the answer:
If you have time and your home is in move-in condition and you don’t mind cutting a check equivalent to 6 percent of the sales price to the listing and sale agents, hiring an agent will probably be fine.
However, if you need to sell fast, don’t want repairs, skip agent fees and want the least stressful type of sale possible, selling to an investor in Fort Myers is the way to go – especially for distressed or inherited properties.
Final Thoughts
Your decision should hinge on what matters most to you — speed, certainty, convenience, or squeezing every last dollar out of the sale.
If a fast, as-is sale and an offer without all the hassle and drama are more of your alley, then selling to a cash investor might be what you need. And if it sounds like the right answer for you…
Call Core Real Estate Solutions now for a no-obligation cash offer on your Fort Myers home.
We buy houses fast, as is, in any condition and any situation, and with no fees or commissions—You get to leave your house and move on.
👉 Go to our Contact Page and begin.