Why Sellers Should Be Cautious of Agents Who Offer to ‘Buy Your Home If It Doesn’t Sell’

1. The Offer Is Rarely What It Seems

On paper, a guaranteed offer may sound like a win-win — if your home doesn’t sell, the agent or company promises to buy it themselves. However, the fine print often reveals that:

•The guaranteed price is well below market value, sometimes as much as 20–30% less.

•The offer only applies after the home has been listed for a specified period, often at the agent’s preferred price.

•You must sign an exclusive listing agreement for a minimum duration, often 60–90 days.

•The “guarantee” kicks in only under highly specific (and unlikely) conditions.

Many of these programs are not designed to purchase homes at fair value — they are structured to limit the agent’s risk and maximize lead capture, not to protect your equity.

According to a 2022 study by the National Association of REALTORS®, sellers who used alternative selling programs such as iBuyers or investor-driven cash offers generally netted less than those who used full-service marketing approaches.

2. It Shifts the Focus Away from Real Marketing

When an agent or company markets a guaranteed sale instead of a comprehensive marketing plan, it can be a red flag. You’re not hiring someone to buy your house — you’re hiring someone to sell it for top dollar.

At The Sold By Strunk Team with Wallace, our goal is to put your property in front of the right buyers, using professional, high-visibility strategies like:

• Paid digital ads on Facebook, Instagram, and Google

• Listing on high-traffic real estate platforms like Realtor.com and Zillow

• Professional photography, virtual tours, and drone footage (powered by Elevated Media Company)

• Smart pricing based on current East TN market data (ETN REALTORS® Market Reports)

These methods are proven to create demand, shorten time on market, and increase sale prices.

3. Conflicts of Interest Are Real

When the same person is both your listing agent and your backup buyer, it creates a potential conflict of interest. While real estate professionals are held to fiduciary standards, that responsibility becomes complicated when their own financial interests are involved.

According to the Code of Ethics from the National Association of REALTORS® (Article 1), REALTORS® must always promote and protect the client’s interests. However, when a potential purchase benefits the agent, it may be difficult to fully separate personal gain from professional duty.

This is especially concerning when:

• The agent recommends a price that benefits their purchase, not your sale

• You’re not informed about how your home’s value is calculated in the offer

• You’re pressured into accepting a below-market deal due to time constraints or fear of not selling

You deserve clear communication and a trusted advisor — not a buyer in disguise.

4. It’s Often Just a Lead Generation Tool

Let’s be honest: many of these “we’ll buy it” programs are designed to get you to call, submit your information, or schedule a meeting. Once you’re in the door, the pitch often shifts away from a guaranteed offer and toward a standard listing presentation.

If the offer is real, it often comes with heavy conditions — or ends up being a lowball investor-style cash offer, not the fair value of your home. As a seller, you need to ask:

•Will I be presented with a real offer in writing upfront?

•Is the offer contingent on me doing repairs, price reductions, or paying additional fees?

•What are my other options if I choose not to take the offer?

The best agents don’t need gimmicks to earn your business. They rely on experience, strategy, and results.

5. Better Alternatives for Sellers Who Want Peace of Mind

If you’re worried about your home not selling, there are proven and transparent solutions that don’t involve giving up your equity:

• Pre-listing inspections and staging to increase value and buyer confidence

• Dynamic pricing strategies based on local data and absorption rates

• Adjustable commission options tied to performance or contract length

• Aggressive, full-spectrum marketing plans to bring in serious buyers fast

Our team understands the East Tennessee market — and we adjust quickly based on the data. Homes listed with strong pricing, professional marketing, and responsive service are still moving efficiently.

In fact, according to a 2023 report by Freddie Mac, homes in markets with active digital marketing and pricing strategies sold 18% faster and for 5–10% more than those listed with generic strategies or no promotion.

6. If It Sounds Too Good to Be True…

It probably is. Selling your home is one of the largest financial decisions you’ll ever make — and you should never be pressured into a shortcut that sacrifices value for false security.

Always ask these questions:

•What’s the true net I would receive under this program?

•Are there fees, penalties, or restrictions I’m agreeing to?

•Is the agent making more money by buying my home than selling it?

If you don’t feel fully informed, it’s okay to walk away. Your home — and your financial future — deserves better.

7. Transparency Over Tricks

At The Sold By Strunk Team with Wallace, we never lead with gimmicks — we lead with clarity, numbers, and a strategy tailored to your home and goals. We’ll tell you:

• Exactly what your home is worth

• How we’ll market it

• What we’ll do if interest slows

• What your realistic timeline and net proceeds look like

And we’ll keep you in the loop every step of the way. That’s how we build trust and deliver results.

The Bottom Line

If someone tells you they’ll buy your house if it doesn’t sell, it might feel like peace of mind — but look deeper. Read the fine print. Ask tough questions. Make sure you’re not trading convenience for tens of thousands of dollars in lost equity.

If you want a team that brings strategy, honesty, and powerful marketing to the table — not pressure — we’d love to help.

📲 Call/Text: (865)-566-8162

📞 Office: (865)-687-1111

🌐 Visit: www.SoldByStrunk.com

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