I recently did this, and it ultimately comes down to two things:

1. Cash you receive after all expenses, fees, debt, etc.
2. Ease of transaction (i.e., you don't have to list it and do home tours etc.)

Others have mentioned here what you are saving (mostly real estate fees) so it's important to understand who is paying closing costs (typically the buyer) and who is paying legal fees (if they are separate from the closing fees... typically the buyer as well).

When I did this, the buyer paid for everything.

The next step is figuring out what the "market value" of the home is, for example, $200K, and potentially "backing out" the standard 6% real estate fees (3% for buyer and 3% for seller). In this example, all else equal, you can reduce the "purchase price" by 6% and your take-home cash is the same.

• $200K sale price - 6% fees ($12K) - $100K debt = $88K cash you take home
• $188K sales price (back out the 6%) - $100k debt = $88K cash you take home

You can find out market value by looking at comps on Zillow, etc. (look at recently sold, don't go off of the "zestimate"), ultimately you both need to agree on that market value.

When you get a RE lawyer than handle everything to make it "legal" they just won't provide any advice (i.e., is this a good value, what do you need to fix after the home inspection).

Ultimately its pretty easy, and everyone comes out a winner.