Should I sell my house for cash or list with a traditional agent? Locqube Chats - Ep 1

Should I sell my house for cash or list with a traditional agent? Locqube Chats - Ep 1

Written by

Written by

Manny Pantiga

Manny Pantiga

cash offer or agent
cash offer or agent
cash offer or agent
cash offer or agent
cash offer or agent

Why that question misses the point - and what most people don't tell you..... You're here because you're sitting on a tough decision. You've probably typed this exact phrase into Google: sell my house for cash. And now you're knee-deep in articles telling you one of two things:

  1. Sell for cash (quick, done, but usually at a discount)

  2. Or list with a traditional agent (long, expensive, and overwhelming.)

But what people seem to forget is that there's a better third option?

That's what I'm here to break down.

I'm Manny Pantiga — CEO of locqube — and I've spent the last few years rethinking how people sell their homes. Not just tweaking the process, but flipping it on its head.

Want to learn more about this topic? Watch the full episode about this topic in our locqube chats podcast.

The allure of "sell my house for cash"

I've been in the real estate business for over 20 years. I've had the great privilege of sitting down with thousands of homeowners during the process of selling their homes (usually the biggest asset they own.)

What I've come to understand is that selling a home almost always comes with a major life event. It's rarely an impulse decision.

These aren't impulsive decisions. They're emotional, stressful, and often urgent.

Most of my clients felt cornered: "Do I sacrifice equity for speed? Or break the bank on commissions?"

Cash offers seem ideal. No showings, no waiting, no repairs. "We'll buy your house as-is!" they say. But the reality is not that...pretty

  • 70–80% of market value: That's what investor or iBuyer offers tend to be. You're effectively giving away 20–30% of your home's value.

  • Profit‑driven buyers: They aren't buying your home for emotional reasons. They're buying it as inventory- to flip or rent. Their bottom line isn't aligned with yours.

  • Urgency ≠ value: Yes, some homeowners need speed- but is losing a quarter of your equity worth those 2 weeks of convenience?

See also: Housing market predictions 2025: How it impacts your property's value

Costs of traditional agents

Then there's the other option: listing with a real estate agent. Potentially get full market value.

But:

  • 17% of your equity on average goes to commissions. A stunning 5–6% commission on buyer + seller side

  • Outdated systems: Homeowners still fighting with archaic paperwork.

  • Lack of transparency: Without tech and real‑time dashboards, you're left guessing about showings, offers, and timeline.

Even a "standard" 5–6% commission translates into a significant portion of a homeowner's net equity:

  • A 6% commission on a $500,000 sale is $30,000.

  • That $30,000 usually comes directly out of the seller's equity

So while it's commonly described as a percentage of the sale price, in real terms it can represent 10–20% (or more) of a homeowner's total equity, depending on their mortgage payoff and other costs.

No wonder sellers feel stuck: they see a bitter carrot (sell my house for cash) and a bitter pill (pay 17-20%). Where's the middle ground?

The answer shouldn't be that binary...but that's what the market offered up until now.

There's also the FSBO (For Sale By Owner) route but unless you want to become a realtor overnight, that's not a real option for most. That leaves 2 conventional choices.

So, I asked: "What do homeowners actually value?"

And dug into two truths:

  1. Agents are incredibly valuable: 89% of homes sold with an agent last year. Negotiation? Experience? Network? You need that. According to NAR, real estate agents remain the top home buying and selling resource for ALL generations.

  2. Tech should empower (not replace) the relationship: We don't want to splice out agents...we want to help them help the seller/buyer. And we want homeowners to be at the center.

That's how locqube works

  • 1.99% Listing Fee. That's it. Full-service, professional photos, MLS listing, expert agent—all included.

  • You stay in control. You track everything from your dashboard. Showings, offers, marketing.

Let's say your home is worth $500,000.

  • Traditional agent fees: $25,000–$30,000.

  • A cash buyer offer at 75%: $375,000.

  • locqube listing: 1.99% = $9,950.

That's a $15,000+ savings compared to the old-school model. And $100,000+ more than a cash offer. Same speed. Same service. Just a better model.

And yes, this model lets homeowners sell for full market value without getting slammed with fees. THAT'S THE POINT!

People who want to "sell my house for cash" can now keep the convenience AND not lose 25% of their home's value in the process.

Our "Sell Your Home From Your Couch" isn't just a slogan

You really can. You log into locqube:

  • Enter your address.

  • Choose your photo‑and‑staging package.

  • Set your target price and timeline.

  • Click "List."

...And and we take care of the rest. Within 48 hours, we have:

  • Pro photographers scheduled.

  • Your home goes live on the MLS.

  • Our agent team handles calls, showings, and negotiations.

  • You get real-time updates from your phone.

All for 1.99%

You're not left in the dark. You're not overpaying. You're not losing sleep wondering if someone's flipping your home behind your back.

And if someone asks, "Can you sell your house for cash?"...you can say: "Yeah … but only if the price is right."

Already, in our relatively short history, we've seen many deals where:

  • The buyer pays their own agent,

  • The fee is negotiated lower,

  • Or a seller concession is included as part of the deal.

We protect the homeowner's equity every step of the way. And we do that in three main ways:

  1. We study the local market to find ways to get more for the home, using our understanding of local dynamics.

  2. We keep our listing fee at 1.99%, which creates significant savings.

  3. If there's a buyer agent involved, we handle that conversation on a case-by-case basis...always prioritizing what's best for the seller.

My honest take? Cash offers should be regulated

If you're going to market to stressed-out people with a flashy sell my house for cash line, you should be forced to show the real cost in selling as is.

See also: Is staging home needed in a hot market?

Most sellers don't even know what their home is worth. They just know they need out. And cash buyers know that too.

I think we need more transparency, more comparison tools. Otherwise, people are walking away from equity they spent years building, all for a 7-day closing they didn't actually need.

And to be honest I get it. I've been in your shoes. We've all been bombarded with those ads. We all feel life stress. Sometimes, speed looks like salvation.

But you own the house, and your family's future. You deserve to "win" the sale...not just exit fast. But maybe that's just me.

My advice to any homeseller today

  1. Beware of the marketing: "Sell my house for cash" is a feature...not a strategy.

  2. Know your number: Get a market valuation before agreeing to anything.

  3. Ask the tough questions: What does the cash buyer pay for closing? Repairs? Insurance?

  4. Demand transparency: Are you paying less to go fast… or being taken for a ride?

  5. Consider a hybrid: Full listings, low commission, tech transparency...why not?

Bottom line

If you're facing a big decision, here's what I want you to know what the old script looks like:

  • Speed (cash) = lose equity.

  • Price (agent) = lose time + pay 5-6%.

That's unacceptable in 2025. Consumer-first, tech-enabled, full-service, low-fee solutions like locqube should be the new norm.

  • Selling your home fast doesn't mean selling it cheap.

  • You don't need to pick between high commissions and low offers.

  • There's a better third option—and you should take it seriously.

You worked hard for that equity. Don't let stress (or slick marketing for that matter) take it away.

Check out locqube to understand what I'm talking about.

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Home Selling Simplified

© 2024 locqube All rights reserved.

Equal Housing Opportunity

Lic in CT, REB.0795324.

Home Selling Simplified

© 2024 locqube All rights reserved.

Equal Housing Opportunity

Lic in CT, REB.0795324.

Home Selling Simplified

© 2024 locqube All rights reserved.

Equal Housing Opportunity

Lic in CT, REB.0795324.

Home Selling Simplified

© 2024 locqube All rights reserved.

Equal Housing Opportunity

Lic in CT, REB.0795324.

Home Selling Simplified

© 2024 locqube All rights reserved.

Equal Housing Opportunity

Lic in CT, REB.0795324.