Relocating for a Job or PCS Orders? Sell Your Bay Area House on Your Timeline
New job across the country, return-to-office in another city, or orders out of Travis or Coast Guard Island? We buy Bay Area houses as-is for cash and set the closing date around your move, not the other way around.
Close in 7 days or on your date•Sign from anywhere•No repairs, showings or commissions
What is the fastest way to sell a house when you are relocating?
The fastest way is a direct sale to a local cash buyer. There is no listing period, no showings to schedule from another state, and no buyer loan that can fall through after you have already moved. We make a written as-is offer, a title company handles escrow, and you can sign with a mobile notary wherever you are. We can close in 7 days, or on a later date you pick.
By Steven Williams, Founder & CEO, Rapid Home Solutions, buying Bay Area homes since 2014. Last updated November 2026.
Your three options when a move comes up fast
Most relocating owners weigh the same three paths. Each one is right for somebody. The trick is matching the path to how much time and attention you will have once you are gone.
List it with an agent
Usually the highest sale price on paper. It also means repairs, staging, open houses and 45 to 75 days on the market plus escrow, often while you are paying a mortgage here and housing in your new city. If you have months before you leave, this can be the right call.
Keep it and rent it out
Can work if you plan to come back. Managing tenants from far away is harder in the Bay Area than most places: many cities have their own rent control and just-cause rules, and statewide AB 1482 covers much of the rest. Once a tenant moves in, getting the house back is slow.
Sell it as-is for cash
You trade some top-line price for speed and certainty. No repairs, no showings, no commissions, no buyer financing to fall apart, and a closing date that fits your report date. Best when the move date is fixed and the house needs work or you cannot be here to manage a sale.
Listing vs. selling to us when you are moving away
Time to closed sale: Listing: prep time, then 45 to 75 days on market and a 30-day escrow. Us: 7 days or less once you are ready, or a later date you choose.
Being here in person: Listing: walkthroughs, inspections, repairs and appraisal access, usually while you are trying to start a new job. Us: one walkthrough, which a family member or friend can handle, then everything signs remotely.
Two housing payments: Listing: you may carry the Bay Area mortgage, insurance and utilities for months after you leave. Us: the payments stop at closing.
Repairs and cleanout: Listing: buyers and their lenders expect a market-ready house. Us: leave it as it is, including furniture you do not want to ship.
Risk of the deal falling apart: Listing: loan denials and low appraisals happen, and you find out after you have moved. Us: cash, no lender, no appraisal contingency.
If your employer offers a relocation package with a home-sale program, ask HR what it covers and how long it takes, then compare it with a direct offer from us. There is no cost or obligation to get both numbers.
Selling a Bay Area house on military PCS orders
We buy homes near every Bay Area installation and set closing around report dates, not the other way around. A few things are specific to military sellers:
Near Travis AFB
Fairfield, Vacaville, Suisun City and the rest of Solano County have a steady rhythm of PCS moves. We buy in Fairfield, Vacaville and Suisun City in any condition.
Coast Guard and other Bay Area commands
Coast Guard Island in Alameda, Training Center Petaluma near Petaluma, Camp Parks in Dublin and Moffett Field by Mountain View all send families on new orders every year.
Signing from another base or overseas
Closing papers can be signed in front of a mobile notary, a notary near your new duty station, or a military notary at your legal office. A spouse can sign with a recordable power of attorney if the title company approves it in advance.
VA loan on the house
Your VA loan is paid off at closing like any other mortgage, which frees up your VA entitlement for the next purchase. If you are behind on payments, the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act gives extra foreclosure protection on loans taken out before active duty, so talk to your legal office early.
How a relocation sale with us works, step by step
The same process works whether you are still in the house or already living somewhere else.
Step 1: Tell us your move date
Fill out the short form or call (925) 483-7327. Tell us when you report or start work and when you would like to be out. We plan backward from that date.
Step 2: One walkthrough
We see the house once, in person or on a video call. If you have already moved, a neighbor, relative or property manager can let us in.
Step 3: Written cash offer
You get a written as-is offer, usually within 24 hours of the walkthrough. No repair list and no pressure to decide on the spot.
Step 4: Open escrow with a title company
A neutral California title company handles the money and paperwork. We pay the typical closing costs and there are no commissions.
Step 5: Sign from wherever you are
Documents go to you by email and courier. Sign with a notary near you, send them back, and the title company records the sale.
Step 6: Get paid by wire
Your proceeds are wired to your bank once the sale records, so the money is there for the down payment or rent in your new city.
Taxes and paperwork to check before a relocation sale
None of this is tax advice, and a CPA should look at your numbers, but these are the questions relocating sellers in California ask us most:
- The home-sale exclusion. If you owned and lived in the house for at least two of the last five years, federal law lets you exclude up to $250,000 of gain ($500,000 for most married couples filing jointly). If a job change forces you to sell sooner, you may still qualify for a partial exclusion.
- Military sellers. Service members on qualified official extended duty can elect to suspend the five-year test period for up to ten years, which can keep the exclusion available after a PCS away from the house.
- California withholding. Escrow will ask you to complete FTB Form 593. A sale of your principal residence that qualifies for the exclusion is usually exempt from California’s real estate withholding, but rentals and second homes often are not.
- Disclosures still apply. Selling as-is does not remove California’s seller disclosure duties. Our guide to California home-selling laws explains what is required.
If you are thinking about renting the house out instead
Plenty of owners keep their Bay Area house as a rental when they move, and for some it works out well. Before you decide, look honestly at a few local realities. Rent control and just-cause eviction rules are city by city here, and many owners do not realize they apply until they want the house back. Repairs and tenant calls are harder to handle from another state. A vacant house you are trying to rent can also run into insurance limits, since many homeowner policies restrict coverage after a home sits empty for a set period, so check your policy.
If you already rent the house and want out, we buy tenant-occupied homes with the tenants in place, so you do not have to handle an eviction from far away.
Other moving situations we help with
Retiring and leaving the Bay Area
Moving closer to family or out of state in retirement, without fixing up the house first.
Learn more →
Selling a parent's house for assisted living
When a parent is moving into care and the house needs to be sold on a clear, gentle timeline.
Learn more →
Tenant-occupied rentals
Sell a rental with tenants in place, including under local rent control.
Learn more →
House that needs repairs
Skip the repairs you will not be here to manage. We buy as-is.
Learn more →
Behind on mortgage payments
If two housing payments have already put you behind, act before a Notice of Default.
Learn more →
Inherited a house
Selling a family home you inherited while living in another state.
Learn more →
What Bay Area sellers say about working with us
Amanda Lee
May 23, 2026
Working with Steven was an absolute pleasure from start to finish. Not only did they provide a competitive cash offer and close in just 10 days, but they also honored my full commission as the listing agent — something that truly speaks to their professionalism and integrity. The property was sold completely as-is and required multiple dumpsters worth of clean-out and hauling, yet they never questioned a thing or made the process difficult. The transaction was smooth, straightforward, and one of the easiest deals I’ve ever been a part of. If you’re looking for a reliable buyer for a quick and hassle-free sale opportunity, I highly recommend Steven and his team.
Bill Pearce
April 7, 2026
We were about to retire and move out of state, so we needed to sell our home of 16 years. Our home needed some TLC but we just wanted to move on and retire! We looked at all the options and decided to sell off-market with Rapid Home Solutions and we couldn’t have made a better decision. Super fast closing, no real estate agents or commissions, and they took the house as-is, no questions asked. Dawson and his team were super friendly and flexible and we couldn’t recommend them highly enough. Stay away from the lowballing sharks and work with someone who is all about a win-win for both parties!
Vanity Art LLC
December 12, 2025
If you are in need of quick and trouble-free as-is sale for a reasonable offer and no contract loopholes like most as-is buyers, choose Rapid Home Solutions. Dawson is honest and upfront about everything. The offer was fair and quick closing. A big help to my family when we needed it.
K M
September 30, 2025
Fast and smooth transaction with Steve and his crew. I highly recommend to anyone looking for a reliable and trustworthy team, rapidhomesolutions gets the job done!
Carol Sievers
May 2, 2025
I recently used Rapid Solutions to sell my house, and I’m thrilled with the experience. From start to finish, their process was seamless, efficient, and stress-free, making them a standout choice for homeowners looking to sell quickly. Pros: • Speedy Process: True to their name, Rapid Home Solutions lived up to their promise of a fast sale. After reaching out, they provided a fair cash offer within 48 hours, and we closed the deal in just 16 days. This was a lifesaver as we needed to close as soon as possible. • Hassle-Free Experience: No need for repairs, staging, or endless showings. They bought the house as-is, which saved us time and money. The team handled all the paperwork, making it incredibly convenient. • Transparent and Fair: The offer was competitive, and there were no hidden fees or commissions. Their team clearly explained the process, so we felt confident every step of the way. • Professional Team: Dawson was courteous, responsive, and genuinely cared about our needs. He answered all our questions promptly and tailored the timeline to fit our schedule.
Christine Cuddy (Toymentor)
April 10, 2025
Super easy, super fast. 10 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ not to mention really nice people. No hard sell whatsoever. It was a huge relief.
Kari Murray
January 16, 2025
Great experience!! Super fast funding and wonderful people to work with. Highly recommend!!
Carlos Anaya
December 13, 2024
Rapid Home solutions will help you sell fast and no hassle. They won't waste your time at all, but will come with a personalized solution for you! If you are lucky enough to work with Dawson, that guy is not playing games. I've worked personally with him and he cares about the sellers he talks to and he enjoys helping people. I know no one with better work ethics! If you happen to meet these guys and think they could possibly help, don't hesitate, just call them!!!
Greg b
December 5, 2024
I worked with Dawson for my mother's condo that was in bad shape. Dawson was incredibly fair on price and very compassionate about her situation and made the process very easy to complete. Everything went smoothly and she received her funds quicker than we expected. I did check with other companies and there was no comparison in my mind.
Relocation and PCS Home Sale FAQ
1. How fast can you buy my house if I am relocating?
We can close in 7 days or less once you are ready. If you want to stay until your move date, we can set closing for later. You pick the date.
2. Do I have to be in the Bay Area to sell?
No. After one walkthrough, which someone else can handle for you, every document can be signed with a notary wherever you live now. The title company records the sale and wires your money.
3. Can I sell before I have officially moved out?
Yes. Many relocating sellers sign the contract while still living in the house and close the week they leave.
4. What if the house needs repairs I don't have time for?
Leave them. We buy as-is: dated kitchens, roof or foundation issues, unpermitted work, and furniture you do not want to ship. You do not clean or fix anything.
5. I'm military with a VA loan. Can I still sell to you?
Yes. The VA loan is paid off at closing from the sale proceeds, the same as any mortgage. That restores your VA entitlement for your next home.
6. Can my spouse sign if I have already reported to my new duty station?
Often yes, using a recordable power of attorney. Title companies want to review the power of attorney before closing, so send it to us early and we will get it checked.
7. Is renting the house out better than selling?
It depends on whether you plan to return and how comfortable you are being a long-distance landlord. Bay Area rent control and just-cause rules make it hard to get a house back once it is rented. If you are unsure, get our cash offer first so you can compare real numbers.
8. My employer offers relocation help. Should I still call you?
Yes. Some packages include a home-sale program and some only cover moving costs. Getting our no-obligation offer gives you a second number to compare against whatever your employer's program pays and how long it takes.
9. Do you charge fees or commissions?
No. There are no agent commissions and no fees, and we pay the typical closing costs. The offer we write is the amount you can expect before your own mortgage payoff and any liens.
Get a cash offer that fits your move date
Tell us about the house and when you need to be gone. It takes about a minute, there’s no obligation, and you’ll hear back from our local, family-owned team, not a call center.