If you're looking for a faster, more convenient way to sell your house, iBuyer companies like Offerpad and Opendoor will purchase your home as is, pay in cash, and let you choose your closing date. iBuyers also tend to pay closer to fair market value than house flippers — making them an attractive option for those looking to avoid a traditional home sale.
However, selling to an iBuyer typically means less profit than you would get from a traditional listing. iBuyers also charge services fees and make additional deductions for any improvements needed to get your house ready for the next buyer.
If you're considering a cash offer, but want to avoid leaving money on the table, consider starting with Clever Offers. With Clever, you can compare legitimate cash offers from iBuyers, local investors, and more — with no added fees or pressure to move forward. Recent sellers who compared offers with Clever saw an average price gain of +$66,735. Submit a quick form to find your best offers.
Top iBuyer companies for 2026
1. Clever Offers
Offer Rating
Service Fee
Time to Close
Pros and cons
Why We chose it
Specifics
Pros
- Multiple competing cash offers
- Vetted investors with proven success/funding
- Explore alternate offer types that may fetch a higher price
Cons
- Some deal types have longer timelines
- Cash offers may still be below market value
2. Opendoor
Offer Rating
Service Fee
Time to Close
Pros and cons
Why we chose it
Specifics
Pros
- Pays closer to market value than a typical house flipper
- Convenient selling process and quick inspections
- Flexible closing window of 14–60 days
Cons
- Offers still tend to be below market value
- You'll pay additional service fees (5%+) and repair deductions
- Strict purchase criteria
3. Offerpad
Offer Rating
Service Fee
Time to Close
Pros and cons
Why we chose it
Specifics
Pros
- Free local moves/3-day grace period after closing
- Flexible options (cash offer, listing w/ free home prep)
- Very flexible closing timeline (8–90 days)
Cons
- 5% service fee is on par with realtor commissions
- Strict purchase criteria
- Repair costs can greatly reduce offers
4. Knock
Offer Rating
Service Fee
Time to Close
Pros and cons
Why we chose it
Specifics
Pros
- Equity advance to buy a new house before you sell
- Includes funding for home improvements before you list
- Use your own agent and mortgage lender
Cons
- Need significant home equity to qualify
- Program fee is 2.25% of your home sale price
- Ongoing mortgage costs add up if your home doesn't sell quickly
5. Homeward
Offer Rating
Service Fee
Time to Close
Pros and cons
Why we chose it
Specifics
Pros
- Get up to 89% of your home value upfront
- List for additional upside after you move
- Choose your own listing agent
- Save on program fees when you bundle Homeward mortgage and title
Cons
- Program fees cost up to 7% of your home sale price
- Additional closing costs, realtor fees, and carrying costs apply
- Strict purchase criteria compared to other cash buyers
6. Orchard
Offer Rating
Service Fee
Time to Close
Pros and cons
Why we chose it
Specifics
Pros
- Access your home equity for a new home purchase before selling
- List on the open market with a backup cash offer
- Interest-free funding for home improvements
- Explore a variety of selling options in one place
Cons
- Service fees start at 4.9% of the final sale price
- Backup offers are likely well below market value
- Must use Orchard-assigned agent to sell your house
- Additional fees apply if you choose to extend your listing beyond 120 days
7. HomeLight Simple Sale
Offer Rating
Service Fee
Time to Close
Pros and cons
Why we chose it
Specifics
Pros
- Convenient option comparison (agent listing or cash offer)
- Generally positive reviews (fewer for cash offer program)
- Offers within a week, closing possible in 10 days
Cons
- Online estimate may exceed actual investor offers
- Complaints of excessive agent calls after requesting cash offers
- Most reviews focus on agent matching, not cash offer program
How much will an iBuyer pay for my house?
At their peak in the early 2020s, iBuyers earned a reputation for paying full market value for homes. For example, real estate analyst Mike DelPrete found that Opendoor paid sellers a median purchase price of 107.7% of market value in 2021.[1]
However, more recent data tells a different story.
Our data team analyzed over 530 properties bought and sold by the nation's two largest iBuyers, Offerpad and Opendoor, between May 2023 and June 2025. Based on the median transaction, iBuyers paid 9–10% less than a property's eventual resale price — a rough gauge of its market value.
Both iBuyers typically resold homes within about 60 days of purchase.
Source: Internal analysis of 410 homes bought and sold by Opendoor and 123 homes bought and sold by Offerpad between May 2023 and June 2025. Data sourced from HouseCanary and public property records and included all records within a 2-year time frame showing each iBuyer as both the listing broker and grantee on the prior home purchase.
More specifically, we found that:
- Opendoor typically paid 4–13% less for homes that it eventually resold them for (the markup range for the middle 50% of the homes in our sample size). On a median purchase price of $313,500, that represents roughly $27,500 (9%) in lost profit potential for the seller.
- Offerpad's markup range was a much wider 2–22% on the middle 50% of properties in our sample size. A homeowner who sold to Offerpad for the median purchase price of $280,000 could reasonably expect to see their home resell for $310,000 — roughly 10% more than they were paid.
It's worth noting that these figures reflect only the gap between purchase price and resale price. They don't include service fees (typically 5%) or repair deductions tacked on after the home inspection — so the actual "haircut" is greater.
‼️ iBuyers' offers can vary dramatically
While the typical home seller could expect to leave about 9–10% on the table when selling to an iBuyer, individual outcomes vary widely — and the gap between a best-case and worst-case iBuyer sale can be tens of thousands of dollars.
Our analysis of Opendoor and Offerpad listings revealed that, from May 2023–June 2025:
- About 9% of Opendoor sellers in our sample actually got overpaid — meaning the iBuyer resold the home for less than it paid. However, roughly 1 in 5 of sellers left 15% or more of their home value on the table.
- Offerpad showed even more volatility: roughly 1 in 5 Offerpad sellers got more for their home than the eventual resale price, but the largest share of sellers (35%) saw their homes sell for 15%+ more than they were paid.
"Sometimes they make mistakes," said a Reddit user who recently sold their home to Opendoor. "In my case, Opendoor paid me about 20% more than what they eventually resold my house for a few months later."
Other sellers, like this Reddit user, claim that Opendoor offered about 15% below market value — even for a turnkey home in a hot seller's market.
Which iBuyer pays the most?
Anecdotally, Offerpad often makes a higher initial offer than Opendoor but then deducts significantly more for repairs — which can negate the higher offer price entirely.
For example, one home seller who posted to Reddit about nearly selling to Offerpad in 2023, received an initial offer of $362,500. However, after a home inspection, the company requested $89,500 in repair concessions (which a realtor advised should only have been about $15,000). Offerpad also refused to negotiate — wiping out any profit the homeowner would have made from the sale.
Another Kansas-based seller we talked to via Zoom was assessed $40,000 for repairs by Offerpad, while Opendoor charged him just $7,000. He ended up selling to Opendoor.
Our analysis of 530+ recent iBuyer transactions confirms that Offerpad's pricing is significantly less predictable than Opendoor's. On the upside, about 1 in 5 Offerpad sellers actually got overpaid relative to the eventual resale price. On the downside, 1 in 4 left 22% or more on the table — a much wider spread than Opendoor, where a majority of sellers (60.2%) saw only a 0–10% resale markup on their homes.
Is selling to an iBuyer worth it?
Pros
- Flexible closing window — as little as 10 days, up to 90 days
- Save time preparing, listing, and showing your home
- Get a fairly competitive cash offer
- No upfront costs for staging or repairs
Cons
- Offers will be less than market value
- Steep service fees (historically 5%, plus repairs)
- Strict purchase criteria and limited service areas
- Little-to-no negotiating leverage
Even with a below-market offer, selling to an iBuyer may still be worth it if you value a fast, hassle-free home sale over getting the most possible money for your home. But if you need to get the full market value out of your home — or have a home in poor condition — you might consider alternatives, such as:
- Finding an agent that takes care of the home prep
- Listing your house as is on the open market
"We were in a position where taking less money was worth it for us," home seller Jesse Zappia told us via Zoom. "If you go in with that mindset, it's great. But if we were in a scenario where we weren't as timebound, I think going the traditional route is probably the way we would go, just to get better profitability out of it."
Before accepting an offer, you'll also want to know your home's potential market value so you know the potential trade-off you're making in sale price — especially considering the fees and other costs associated with selling to an iBuyer.
It's also important to consider broader market trends. For instance, 26% of all homes purchased in 2025 were paid for in cash, which might indicate other cash sale options — such as putting your house on the market and requesting cash offers — are worth exploring alongside iBuyers.[2]
How do iBuyer companies work?
iBuyers like Offerpad and Opendoor purchase houses at a slight discount to resell them on the open market. Each company differs in its purchase criteria, offer amounts, closing timelines, and service fees.
When you request an offer via an iBuyer's website, you'll fill in detailed information about your property and receive a preliminary offer within 24–48 hours.
You may also be presented with alternative solutions, such as traditional brokerage services and hybrid solutions that combine upfront cash with the potential upside from an open-market listing facilitated by a partner agent.
If you opt for cash, your final offer will be subject to a home inspection conducted by a company rep. It will include adjustments for any repairs or improvements the company thinks your home requires, and may be lower than initial offers.
The cash offer option also comes with a flexible closing window, meaning you can choose the closing date and even modify it if needed.
What types of homes do iBuyers purchase?
While investors purchase homes in just about any condition, iBuyers acquire homes they can resell quickly with minimal work put in.
The types of properties iBuyers are most likely to consider are also the types most likely to sell on the open market — namely, detached single-family properties or townhomes in relatively good condition.[3]
We reviewed the terms of service for the largest iBuyer companies and found that most share similar criteria:
Most iBuyer companies also look for owner-occupied homes without major risks like flood zones or septic systems.
For example, an iBuyer might be happy to repaint your home or complete minor repairs — but major water damage, a cracked foundation, or unpermitted additions might cause them to back out.
If you’re unsure whether your home will qualify, it never hurts to submit your information. In most cases, you’ll receive your cash offer (or rejection) within 24–48 hours.
Finally, keep in mind that these are general criteria and exceptions do exist. Practically every iBuyer company offers a disclaimer that their practices vary according to the specific market you’re in.
Tips for working with an iBuyer
🧐 Take the initial offer with a grain of salt
When exploring selling your home to an iBuyer, be sure you have the final, post-inspection offer in hand before letting go of other options.
iBuyers have grown a reputation for charging hefty repair fees that significantly lower final offers — and you have far less control over negotiations than you would selling to a typical buyer.
🤼 Get competing bids
Getting an offer from an iBuyer is free, and you're under no obligation to accept it.
While waiting for an iBuyer to complete their inspections, ask a few other cash home buyers what they'd be willing to offer for your home. Marketplaces like Clever Offers can help you secure competing bids quickly and easily.
You should also see what a real estate agent can do for you as far as making the process hassle-free.
Realtor Barry Richards advocates using an iBuyer's offer as a baseline. "If an iBuyer is willing to pay this, that's sort of the minimum we should expect to get for the property," he says. "However, you're going to get the most money when you have people competing with each other."
🌎 Look at the whole picture
Each iBuyer company has unique features that may better align with your priorities. For example, Opendoor may let you do the interior home inspection by video, while Offerpad offers a more flexible closing window and free local moves. Some factors to consider include:
- Closing times: What's the minimum/maximum number of days the iBuyer can allow for closing on your home?
- Perks: Does the company let you stay in your home after closing? Do they help you move? How easy do they make the inspection and closing?
- Fees: How much are service fees and closing costs? Which company charges more for repairs? Does the company charge you a fee if you withdraw from the deal?
iBuyers vs. alternatives
iBuyers vs. cash investors
If your home needs more work than an iBuyer is looking to put in — or you're outside Offerpad's or Opendoor's service areas — you may want to ask a few other companies that buy houses for cash what they would offer for your house.
While investors typically pay less than iBuyers, they also accept homes in less-than-ideal condition. And some employ creative solutions that can help you get more money for your home — while still providing the ease of a quick, cash home sale.
For example, if you need to net a certain dollar amount for your home to pay off the mortgage and other debts, a cash investor may be willing to do a novation agreement that allows them to renovate your property while you still hold the title. Once the home's ready to list, they'll put it on the market and pay you an agreed-upon dollar amount (or percentage) at closing — keeping the remaining profit for themselves.
These creative financing deals often mean less money upfront for the investor, enabling them to profit without taking so much of the owner's equity for themselves. "In a strong seller's market, we may be able to offer 90% ARV on a novation," says Brian Harbour with Real Deal Home Solutions.
iBuyers vs. buy-before-you-sell services
If you’re concerned about lining up the sale of your old house and the purchase of your new one, modern bridge loan (or 'buy-before-you-sell') services like Knock, Homeward, and Orchard can help you buy a new house before you sell your old one.
A bridge loan is a short-term loan based on your current equity, which you then use to make an offer on a new house. This home equity loan is paid back once your old home sells.
This effectively turns any offer you make into a cash offer, which can be very appealing to sellers, and eliminates the need for temporary housing between moves. Most buy-before-you-sell companies will also buy your old house for cash if it fails to sell after a certain period of time.
Some companies, including Homeward and Orchard, also provide an alternative option. They'll make an upfront cash offer on your house, sell it on the open market, and pass along the additional proceeds after it sells — minus their fees, renovation, and selling costs.
More traditional iBuyers like Offerpad and Opendoor have also begun offering these types of solutions combining cash with the upside from an open market listing.
iBuyers vs. listing as is
If your main concern is avoiding repairs, you might simply consider selling your house as is. You may attract local investors and bargain hunters willing to accept the home in its current condition — without asking for too much off the offer price.
“The profit you make depends on the market you’re in," says Florida-based realtor and real estate instructor Elisha Lopez. "Many sellers still see competitive offers on homes that need repairs."
If your concern is getting top dollar, and you have some time to spare, you might want to look at pre-listing home prep services available through top local real estate brokerages.
"If the home is not in the best condition," advises JC Young, a realtor and real estate author based in North Texas, "we have contractors who can come in to paint and do repairs and get paid at closing so the seller can get a higher price for their home. "
For homeowners who don't have the time or money to spend on pre-listing home improvements, her team also offers value-added services such as deep-cleaning, decluttering, staging, and curb appeal — all paid for out of the proceeds at closing. Several such programs exist, allowing home sellers to maximize their home value with very little effort and no upfront costs.
FAQs about iBuyer companies
What is the best iBuyer company?
While Offerpad and Opendoor are two of the best-known iBuyers, companies like Homeward, Knock, and Orchard also provide cash offer solutions for home sellers — particularly those in the market for a new house. Offers marketplaces like Clever Offers help you compare offers from a variety of cash buyers Learn about the best companies that buy houses for cash.
Are iBuyer companies legitimate?
Yes, iBuyers are legitimate real estate companies that make cash offers on homes in select locations. iBuyers price houses using a combination of proprietary algorithms and teams of real estate pricing experts. Most iBuyers can provide sellers with an offer in less than 24 hours, and close in as little as 2 weeks. Learn more about the top iBuyer companies.
Do iBuyers make good offers?
iBuyers' offers vary with the market conditions and from company to company, but you can expect their offers to come in at slightly less than market value to reflect the speed and convenience they provide. You'll also pay service fees and additional deductions for any improvements needed to get your house ready for the next buyer. Learn more about what iBuyers pay.
Related reading
Why trust us
Our iBuyer rankings blend aggregated customer-review scores from third-party platforms (Google, BBB, Trustpilot, Zillow, Reviews.io) with Clever's editorial evaluation of fees, purchase criteria, and market coverage.
In addition to tallying total review counts and average customer ratings, we run all available reviews through AI to identify the most common positive and negative themes mentioned across the entire review set.
Whenever possible, we talk directly to customers, company reps, and industry professionals (such as real estate agents) who have firsthand experience with the company.
Our iBuyer content also includes proprietary analysis of Opendoor and Offerpad transactions sourced from MLS data and public property records. The data set includes all available records within a two-year period where we were able to verify Opendoor or Offerpad as an interested party in both the most recent home sale and previous home purchase.
Clever Real Estate, the publisher of this article, also owns Clever Offers, which partners with investors and iBuyers across the country to provide sellers with cash offers from a network of vetted buyers. While we offer a competing cash offer product, we value editorial integrity. We give advice that we would follow ourselves or offer to family and friends. We believe in the quality and value of our offerings, but also recognize that our products won't always work for everyone, which is why Clever Offers is one of several options we present to readers seeking a cash sale. There's no pressure to work with Clever Offers or any company we connect you with through our marketplace. We want you to choose the best option for your situation, whether that's through us or not.

