Is We Buy Houses right for me? | Pros and cons | Customer reviews | How it works | Locations | Alternatives | FAQ
What is We Buy Houses?
We Buy Houses is a national cash buyer brand (sometimes called a house-flipping company) with offices in 49 states.
When you submit your information to We Buy Houses, the company will connect you with one of its licensed real estate investors in your area. The investor will then make a fast, all-cash offer to purchase your home as is — no repairs needed. If you accept the offer, you can close in as little as seven days.
Offers are significantly lower than what your home might net on the open market. As a general rule, cash investors only pay about 70% of the expected after-repair value (AVR) of a home, minus the estimated cost of repairs.
To make sure you get a fair price for your house, you should compare offers from multiple cash buyers before signing a contract. Compare cash offers from top local cash buyers now!
Who is We Buy Houses best for?
Selling to We Buy Houses may be a good option if:
- You need to sell very quickly
- You're facing a difficult situation like foreclosure
- Your home is in poor condition and you don't have time or money for repairs
We Buy Houses provides fast, all-cash offers and can close in as little as seven days. Most homes spend about 67 days on the market, so a company like this can be a lifesaver if you need to sell quickly.
The downside is that We Buy Houses likely won't pay as much for your home as you'd get on the market. If you're in a pinch, it might still be the right choice for you. But we recommend contacting several cash buyer companies to compare offers before you accept one. This way, you can ensure you get the best value for your home.
Fill out the form below to see how much cash home buyers will offer for your house. We'll match you with an experienced local agent, who will bring you offers from trustworthy cash home buyers in your area. You'll also get a free home valuation, so you can decide whether selling on the open market is a better fit for your situation.
Compare offers from top cash buyers, plus get an expert realtor's opinion on what your house is worth.
Pros and cons of using We Buy Houses
✅ Pros
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❌ Cons
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We Buy Houses reviews
We Buy Houses reviews are mostly positive. Because We Buy Houses is a franchise, service quality may vary by location.
| Average rating | Total reviews | |
|---|---|---|
| Weighted average | 4.6 | 567 |
| 4.7 | 403 | |
| Yelp | 3.6 | 15 |
| 4.4 | 149 |
Common themes from positive reviews are:
- Satisfaction with the end-to-end service that We Buy Houses offers
- Clear communication between the investor and the home seller
- A fast, easy closing process
While we didn’t find many negative reviews, at least one noted that the repairs We Buy Houses performed were substandard and the buyer eventually had to do their own repairs.
How does We Buy Houses work?
Each local We Buy Houses office is independently owned and operated by a We Buy Houses real estate investor. These investors are licensed with an exclusive right to use We Buy Houses marketing materials and tools in their county or city. They're vetted based on experience and local reputation. Investors who fail to meet company expectations can have their license revoked.
To get an offer from a local We Buy Houses investor:
- Call We Buy Houses, or go to the company's main website to submit a form.
- Provide information about your house, including:
- The ZIP code
- The approximate asking price
- The reason for selling
- The type of property (e.g., single-family, multi-family)
- Whether or not you're working with a listing agent
- A local We Buy Houses investor will follow up with you to get more details. They'll schedule a time to visit your property for an inspection.
- Within 24–48 hours of the inspection, We Buy Houses will present you with an all-cash offer. This no-obligation, as-is offer includes the investor's anticipated repair costs. There are no fees or closing costs.
- If you accept the offer, you can work with the We Buy Houses investor to choose a closing date and move forward with the sale.
The We Buy Houses real estate investor may claim their offer is what your house could get on the open market, but take that with a grain of salt. Their estimates of how much you’ll make from selling on the open market may just be a worst-case scenario to make We Buy Houses’ offer look better than it is.
If you're set on selling to a cash buyer, compare offers from multiple companies to ensure you get the best deal.
What types of properties does We Buy Houses purchase?
Like other "we buy houses" companies, WeBuyHouses.com buys distressed properties, including:
- Inherited houses
- Houses facing foreclosure
- Houses in need of extensive repairs
- Rental properties with bad tenants
How much does We Buy Houses pay?
We Buy Houses pays significantly less for homes than what you’d get on the open market. Its cash buyers typically offer 50–70% of your home's after-repair value, meaning you could be leaving a lot of cash on the table. This can be worth it for sellers who need to close quickly and don't want to pay for repairs.
But if you want a fair price for your home, you may need to look elsewhere.
We strongly recommend talking to a real estate agent before agreeing to use any cash buyer, including We Buy Houses. It’s free to talk to an agent, and they can help you assess all your options so you get the best deal for your home.
Clever can match you with a top local real estate agent who will:
- Help you compare cash offers from multiple local investors
- Show you what your house could be worth on the open market
- Estimate a realistic selling timeline for both scenarios
If you choose to work with a Clever Partner Agent to sell your home, you’ll pay a discounted listing fee of just 1.5% — half the rate realtors usually charge.
Connect with a top realtor to compare cash offers and get an honest assessment of your home value!
Locations
We Buy Houses has over 2,700 offices across 49 states.[1] The brand continues to grow as new or existing investors can purchase a license in any territory that isn't currently under a license.
Alternatives to selling to We Buy Houses
If you need to sell fast, We Buy Houses isn’t your only option. Here are three main alternatives you may want to consider:
We Buy Houses vs. another cash buyer
| Company | Avg. time to offer | Avg. closing time |
|---|---|---|
| We Buy Houses | 1–7 days | 1–4 weeks |
| We Buy Ugly Houses | 24–48 hours | As little as 3 weeks |
| HomeVestors | 24–48 hours | As little as 3 weeks |
| Sundae Real Estate | 4 days | 10–60 days, flexible |
| MarketPro Homebuyers | Offers can be made the same day | As little as 7 days |
| I Buy Houses | Varies | Varies |
We Buy Houses is similar to many other cash buyers, such as HomeVestors, Sundae Real Estate, and We Buy Ugly Houses. We Buy Houses will make an offer within 1–7 days and has a closing time of 1–4 weeks, which is about average for a cash buyer.
That speed is the main benefit of these companies. Plus, you don’t have to pay for repairs.
But the downside is that they will offer a lot less for your home than what you could get on the open market. All of these companies, including We Buy Houses, should only be considered as a last resort if you need to sell your house right away and are in a difficult situation, such as foreclosure.
Even then, we strongly recommend contacting a realtor or iBuyer first. Selling with an agent will likely yield the highest offer. But either one will likely get you a much better offer and many will be able to sell your house within a tight timeframe. If you do decide that a cash buyer is your only option, at the very least you should compare offers from multiple companies to make sure you’re getting the best deal.
» MORE: The best companies that buy houses for cash
We Buy Houses vs. iBuyers
iBuyers are similar to cash buyers in that they’ll make you an all-cash offer and close quickly, typically within as little as two weeks. While iBuyers still offer less than fair market value, the offers are nonetheless better than what you’ll get from a cash buyer like We Buy Houses. If you’re looking to sell quickly, they’re a better option.
However, iBuyers have drawbacks. Unlike We Buy Houses, they have strict criteria for which houses they’ll buy. Typically, you’ll need a house that isn’t in need of any major repairs. iBuyers also tend to only operate in major metropolitan areas, so if you live in a smaller market they may not be an option for you.
If you choose to go with an iBuyer, compare your options. Buying criteria can vary considerably from one iBuyer to the next, as can fees and the amount of money you’ll make on the sale.
» MORE: The best iBuyer companies ranked and reviewed
We Buy Houses vs. a traditional realtor
We Buy Houses doesn't hide the fact that you'll probably make more money selling your house with the help of a realtor.
The only advantages We Buy Houses offers over a traditional realtor is that you’ll get an all-cash offer with no contingencies and you can close on your own timeline. They'll also purchase your house as-is and do all of the repairs themselves.
As good as that sounds, just remember that unless you're in a desperate situation, selling as is on the open market is usually the better option. You’re almost guaranteed to make significantly more selling your house with a realtor than you are with We Buy Houses.
Even if you think We Buy Houses is the best choice, there’s no risk in talking to a real estate agent first. Clever can connect you with top local real estate agents who can give you an estimate of what your house will fetch on the open market and a realistic timeline for selling. You’re under no obligation to sign and you’ll have the information you need to make the decision that is best for you.
Before selling your home to an investor or flipper for cash, it pays to talk to a real estate agent about your options.
Our licensed concierge team can connect you with top-rated agents who know how fast homes are selling in your area — and how to find a buyer quickly while earning the most money from your sale.
FAQ about We Buy Houses reviews
Are companies that offer cash to buy houses legitimate?
Cash buyers are often legitimate businesses, although they'll pay a lot less for your house than you'd get on the open market — typically 55–70% of your home’s value after repairs. Before working with a company, vet them by researching them online and reading customer reviews. If you want to avoid leaving a lot of money on the table, your best option is to find a real estate agent who can adjust their approach based on how quickly you need to sell.
Is We Buy Houses a rip-off?
We Buy Houses is a legitimate cash buyer with licensed real estate investors in all 50 states. Like any cash buyer, We Buy Houses will make a cash offer on your home in its current condition. In exchange for a swift, all-cash closing, you should expect an offer that's up to only 70% of your home's fair market value.
How much does We Buy Houses pay?
Cash buyers pay substantially less than what your house might fetch on the open market, generally no more than 70% of what the property is worth. If your home needs significant repairs and you want to sell quickly, you may find a cash offer appealing. But you could get a fairer price while still selling quickly with one of the top alternatives to We Buy Houses.
Can We Buy Houses buy a home before foreclosure?
If you're facing foreclosure, We Buy Houses can purchase your home before the foreclosure has been finalized. We Buy Houses might purchase your home for less than what's owed on the mortgage (known as a "short sale"), but your mortgage lender will have to agree to the purchase.
Who owns We Buy Houses?
Each franchise of the company is individually owned and operated by a local investor, whom the company vets and licenses. The CEO of the company is Jeremy Brandt, who owns and operates several national cash-buyer real estate companies.
What's the fastest way to sell a house?
You can sell a home quickly by working with a cash buyer, an iBuyer, or a real estate agent with experience selling homes as is.
Methodology
To create this review, our research team spent over a hundred hours collecting information and data on We Buy Houses and other similar companies. We analyzed We Buy Houses’ service offerings and business models, and how they compare to the competition. Our team read through hundreds of online reviews to understand some of the most common complaints and issues real customers have with the service. We update this review regularly to ensure you can make the most informed decision about your real estate needs.
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