The real estate stories are swirling about homes that sold in record time, with multiple bids -- and "all-cash offers." In this wild housing market, with 21% fewer homes on the market than last year and demand pushing prices to record highs, the competition for a home is fierce. One thing that can put a potential buyer on the top of the heap is an all-cash offer. An all-cash offer doesn't mean showing up with a suitcase full of cash. But it does mean a buyer has the means to purchase the home without taking out a mortgage. That may seem impossible to people struggling just to save up for a 20% down payment, but the all-cash offer is becoming increasingly common. In April, 25% of all home sales were all-cash deals, up from 15% a year ago, according to the National Association of Realtors.