iBuyers (companies like Opendoor that make instant cash offers) can appeal to sellers who want speed and certainty over price. In San Francisco, the tradeoff is almost always significant. iBuyer offers are typically below market value, and the company makes its money on the spread between what they pay you and what they sell for later. In a market as supply-constrained and appreciation-driven as San Francisco, accepting a discounted offer in exchange for convenience usually costs sellers real money.
If speed and simplicity are genuinely your priority and the price difference is acceptable to you, it can be a valid choice. For most sellers, a properly prepared and marketed listing will outperform any iBuyer offer by a meaningful margin. I help sellers run the honest comparison before deciding.