What a typical first call sounds like—and the answers most sellers need.
Welcome to The PA Property Talk Podcast
Brian (Host): Welcome to The PA Property Talk Podcast from 717 Home Buyers. I’m Brian. Today we’re doing something different: instead of covering one topic, we’re going to let you hear what the first conversation with us actually sounds like.
Chris (Host): Right — because people don’t call with a checklist. They call with real questions like: “How does this work?”, “Is there a catch?”, “How fast can this happen?”, and “Is this legit?”
Brian (Host): So we’re going to reenact a first call. Chris will play the homeowner. I’ll play the 717 Home Buyers rep. This is a composite of real conversations — and it’s designed to help you understand the process with zero pressure.
Chris (Host): And to be clear: this episode is informational. Nothing here is legal advice, and listening doesn’t create any obligation.
Brian (Host): Alright — let’s roll the call.
The Real First Call with 717 Home Buyers
Brian (717 Rep): Thanks for calling 717 Home Buyers — this is Brian. How can I help?
Chris (Homeowner): Hi Brian. I’m not 100% sure I want to sell, but I might. How does selling to a cash home buyer work in Pennsylvania?
Brian (717 Rep): Great question. Selling to a cash home buyer in Pennsylvania works like this: you tell us about the property and your timeline, we evaluate the home, we make a written cash offer, and if you accept it, we close through a reputable title company — often in as little as 7 to 14 days if the title is clear. If you don’t like the offer, you don’t move forward.
No Pressure, Just Information
Chris (Homeowner): So contacting you doesn’t commit me to anything?
Brian (717 Rep): Correct. No — calling 717 Home Buyers does not commit you to selling. The first call is simply a conversation to give you clarity.
What Happens on the First Call
Chris (Homeowner): What do you need from me on the first call?
Brian (717 Rep): On the first call, we typically need three things:
- The property address
- The general condition of the home
- What timeline or situation is prompting the call
We do not need sensitive personal information on the first call.
Virtual or In-Person Walkthroughs
Chris (Homeowner): Do you come out right away or is it all over the phone?
Brian (717 Rep): We can start over the phone, and we can also schedule a quick walkthrough if needed. Some homes are straightforward; others need a quick look to be accurate — but we keep it simple and respectful of your time.
How We Calculate a Cash Offer
Chris (Homeowner): How do you determine a cash offer? I don’t want a random number.
Brian (717 Rep): Totally fair. A legitimate cash offer should be explainable. We base our offer on:
- Recent comparable sales in the area
- The home’s condition and repairs needed
- The costs we take on after purchase (repairs, holding costs, resale costs)
And we’ll walk you through the logic so it’s clear.
Cash Offer vs. Traditional Listing
Chris (Homeowner): Will the offer be lower than if I list with a real estate agent?
Brian (717 Rep): Usually, yes. A cash offer is typically lower than a retail listing price — and the tradeoff is speed, convenience, and certainty. With a traditional listing, you might get a higher price, but you’re also dealing with repairs, cleaning, showings, inspection negotiations, agent commissions, buyer financing, and deals that can fall apart.
No Obligation, No Fees
Chris (Homeowner): If I don’t like the offer, what happens?
Brian (717 Rep): If you don’t like the offer, you simply don’t accept it. We encourage people to compare options and make the choice that fits them best.
Selling As-Is — What It Really Means
Chris (Homeowner): What does “sell my house as-is” mean with 717 Home Buyers?
Brian (717 Rep): Selling as-is means you don’t have to fix or update anything to sell. No repairs, no renovations, and typically no cleaning to impress a buyer.
Chris (Homeowner): Even if the house needs major repairs?
Brian (717 Rep): Yes. You can sell as-is even if there are major repairs — like roof issues, old HVAC, outdated kitchens, water damage, or code concerns. Those issues affect the offer amount, but they usually don’t prevent the sale.
Leftover Belongings
Chris (Homeowner): What if there’s a lot of stuff left in the house?
Brian (717 Rep): In many cases, you can sell with items left behind. We’ll talk through what’s there, and we can often take care of it — again, it may affect the offer, but it’s common.
Closing Timelines in Central PA
Chris (Homeowner): How fast can I actually sell my house for cash in Central PA?
Brian (717 Rep): Many cash sales can close in 7 to 14 days if the title is clear and the seller is ready. If you need more time — 30 days, 45 days — we can often close on your timeline too.
→ Learn more about how we buy houses in Pennsylvania.
What Can Delay Closing?
Chris (Homeowner): What usually slows down a cash closing?
Brian (717 Rep): The most common delays are title-related issues — things like liens, unpaid taxes, probate/estate situations, or missing documents. These aren’t unusual. They’re usually solvable, but they can add time.
→ For probate information, see the PA Orphans’ Court (Probate) resources.
Fees, Commissions, and Net Proceeds
Chris (Homeowner): Do cash home buyers charge fees or commissions?
Brian (717 Rep): No — 717 Home Buyers does not charge real estate commissions, and in most cases we cover standard closing costs. The number you see is designed to be the number you receive — minus any existing mortgage payoff or liens that legally have to be paid at closing.
→ For general closing practices in PA, visit the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors.
Closing Day & Getting Paid
Chris (Homeowner): So am I bringing a check to closing?
Brian (717 Rep): In a typical sale, no — you are not bringing money to closing. The title company uses the proceeds of the sale to pay off what needs to be paid off, and you receive the remainder.
Chris (Homeowner): Okay… so what’s the catch?
Brian (717 Rep): There isn’t a “catch,” but there is a tradeoff. You’re trading the possibility of the highest retail price for a faster, simpler, as-is sale with fewer steps and fewer ways for the deal to fall apart.
How to Verify Legitimate Cash Buyers
Chris (Homeowner): How do I know a cash home buyer is legitimate?
Brian (717 Rep): A legitimate cash buyer will put everything in writing, use a reputable title company, and follow standard closing procedures. Red flags include:
- Asking for upfront fees
- Refusing to put the offer in writing
- Constantly changing the price late in the process
- Pushing unusual closing arrangements
→ See the FTC’s advice on avoiding home buying scams.
Why Local Buyers Matter
Chris (Homeowner): Does it matter if the buyer is local?
Brian (717 Rep): It can. A local buyer often understands local property values and neighborhoods better — and there’s accountability. You’re typically dealing with the same team from the first call to closing, and reputation matters.
What Happens on Closing Day
Chris (Homeowner): What happens on closing day, and when do I actually get paid?
Brian (717 Rep): Closing day is usually straightforward: you sign with a reputable title company — in person or sometimes remotely. Once everything is signed and recorded, payment is issued, often the same day or within 24 hours depending on the title company’s process.
Wrapping Up
Chris (Homeowner): And that’s it?
Brian (717 Rep): That’s it. A clean cash sale should feel simple, documented, and transparent.
The Takeaway for Central PA Homeowners
Brian (Host): And that’s a realistic example of how the first call goes — what gets asked, what gets answered, and how you can go from “I’m just exploring” to an all-cash closing in as little as 7 to 14 days when the title is clear.
Chris (Host): And the big theme is: no pressure — just clarity. If it’s not a fit, you don’t move forward. But if it is a fit, it can save a lot of time, repairs, and uncertainty.
Brian (Host): If you’re thinking about selling a house in Central PA and you want to understand your options, you can learn more online at 717HomeBuyers.com or call 717-321-SOLD — that’s 717-321-7653.
Chris (Host): Thanks for listening to The PA Property Talk Podcast from 717 Home Buyers. We’ll catch you next time.
Infographic: The 717 Home Buyers Process
Related Blog Posts & Helpful Local Resources
- How We Buy Houses in Pennsylvania
- What to Know About Probate in Real Estate
- Cash Sale vs Auction in Pennsylvania
- FTC — Avoiding Home Buying Scams
- Pennsylvania Association of Realtors
FAQs
Do I have to sell if I call 717 Home Buyers?
No. The first call is informational only. You decide if it’s right for you.
How soon can I close in Central PA?
In many cases, 7–14 days after clear title. If you prefer, we can schedule 30–45 days to match your timeline.
What does selling “as-is” mean?
No repairs, no renovations, and often no cleaning. We evaluate condition, explain our offer, and keep the process simple.
How do I verify a legitimate cash buyer?
Look for written offers, reputable title companies, and no upfront fees. Local accountability matters.
See how it works with a local team that buys houses across Central PA.
Call 717-321-SOLD (717-321-7653) or visit 717HomeBuyers.com.
Author: Austin Glanzer | Last Updated: December 22, 2025
Here is a Simple Timeline Table (What Most Sellers Experience) with 717 Home Buyers All-Cash Process.
| Step | What Happens | Typical Timeframe |
|---|---|---|
| 1) First call | We talk through the property + your goals. No obligation. | 10–20 minutes |
| 2) Quick evaluation | We review local comps + condition and outline options. | Same day to 48 hours |
| 3) Offer walkthrough | You see the number and the “why” behind it. | Same day to 2–3 days |
| 4) Title work | Title company checks for liens, taxes, estates, and clear ownership. | Often 7–14 days (varies) |
| 5) Closing day | Sign with a reputable title company. Funds issued after recording. | Seller chooses date |