House Buyers of America Reviews: Is the Convenience Worth the Cost?

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By Katy Byrom Updated April 10, 2025
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Edited by Steve Nicastro

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House Buyers of America offers homeowners a fast, all-cash home sale.

As a company that flips homes for profit, it specializes in buying distressed homes that might otherwise sit on the market. It can also help homeowners who need to sell quickly due to finances or a sudden life event. The company accepts properties in any condition and can close in just 7–8 days once an offer has been accepted.

While House Buyers has a strong reputation among customers, it's not for homeowners who want to get the highest price for their home. Homes sold to investors like House Buyers of America sell for nearly 20% less than the overall median home sale price.[1]

If you want the speed of cash, but don't want to give away your equity, consider starting with Clever Offers. With Clever's free service, you get competing cash offers from leading investors, iBuyers, and more. You can also request the pricing opinion of a top local realtor to see what you'd earn selling on the open market. Find the best offers in your area and sell in as little as 7 days — with no added fees or obligation to move forward.

House Buyers of America highlights

  • Regional cash home buyer operating in Maryland, northern Virginia, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC
  • Company reps can typically make an offer on the spot following a walkthrough of your property and close in a matter of days
  • Offers vary by property, but as a general rule, investors pay ~70% of a home's after-repair value (AVR), minus repair costs
  • There are no additional services fees or closing costs when selling to House Buyers of America
  • The company maintains an overall average rating of 4.53/5 (396 reviews)

Is House Buyers of America right for you?

People who are selling to an investor are often doing so because they are in a difficult situation or need to move quickly. House Buyers of America helps homeowners in a wide variety of situations, including those facing:

Life changes

  • Relocating, divorcing, looking to downsize, or having already moved
  • Needing to sell quickly to purchase another home
  • Dealing with an inherited property, especially from out of state

Financial challenges

  • Facing foreclosure, falling behind on mortgage payments, or struggling with needed maintenance
  • Needing immediate cash rather than maximum profit
  • Unable to afford the upfront costs of preparing a home for the traditional market

Property issues

  • Properties in poor condition, with bad tenants, vacant homes, or expired listings with no offers
  • Homes requiring significant repairs or updates
  • Properties with title issues or complicated ownership situations

Inheritance situations

  • Probate or power of attorney sales, disputes among multiple owners
  • Heirs who live far from the property
  • Estate sales requiring quick resolution

If you're in a situation where speed and convenience take precedence over profit, House Buyers of America can purchase your home in its current condition and close on your timeline, sometimes in as little as 7–8 days. The company will also cover closing costs, including transfer taxes and escrow fees typically paid by the seller.

Just be prepared to sell your house for significantly less than it's worth — investors typically only offer about 70% of a home's after repair value, minus estimated repair costs.

If your home is in relatively good condition, or you don't NEED to sell in under a month, you're almost always better off listing with an agent — especially an agent who offers a lower commission rate. Agents can list your house as is and target cash buyers, helping you drum up competition while still avoiding repairs.

Recent research from Maker Real Estate found that, on average, homes marketed on the MLS netted sellers $49,000–104,000 more than those sold off market to an investor — even when sold as is.[2] That's after accounting for realtor fees, which average 5–6% of the home sale price.

Before settling on House Buyers of America, be sure to compare your options. There's never any obligation to accept an offer — if it seems too low, you can simply turn it down.

In some situations, House Buyers of America may be the best choice, but in others, you’ll want a real estate agent, or even an iBuyer.

Compare fair cash offers to the sale price you'd get with an agent

Get competing offers from trusted cash buyers in your area, plus an expert realtor's opinion of your home value. Clever Offers is free to home sellers, and there's no obligation to move forward with an offer or listing. Simply tell us about your property, and we'll do everything we can to get you the best possible price for your home.

Get Cash Offers

House Buyers of America customer reviews and complaints

SourceAverage RatingReview Count
BBB4.6100
Google4.5296
Weighted Average:4.5396

Note: Aggregate customer ratings are based on reviews from the following 3rd-party review sites: BBB and Google. House Buyers of America review information is up to date as of April 10, 2025.

House Buyers of America maintains a solid reputation among customers, with an average 4.53/5 rating across 396 online reviews.

Many customers note the company's excellent customer service and ability to handle everything from initial offer to closing with minimal stress for the seller.

The vast majority of customers felt they were treated professionally and ethically by House Buyers of America. Several reviews also mention that offers are fair and often higher than competitors'.

However, as with any business, there are some negative experiences, particularly related to marketing practices and communication issues in a small percentage of cases.

Here's how customer sentiment around House Buyers of America breaks down:

  • ✅ Competitive Offers (18% of reviews)
  • 🟡 Disappointing Offers (5% of reviews)

  • ✅ Professional and Ethical Treatment (56% of reviews)
  • 🟡 Questionable Ethics (8% of reviews)
  • 🟡 Unsolicited Offers (6% of reviews)

In-depth House Buyers of America review

Service quality: What is it like to sell to House Buyers of America?

🔑 Key points

  • The service experience is consistently positive among House Buyers of America customers
  • 65% of reviews mention the smooth process and 60% highlight strong communication from staff
  • 48% of reviews appreciate the hassle-free experience of selling without repairs or showings
  • 25% mention the flexibility and accommodation shown by House Buyers of America

Strong customer service is a consistent theme throughout House Buyers of America reviews. Their team is consistently described as professional, responsive, and willing to accommodate sellers' unique circumstances. More than one reviewer mentioned that their transaction coordinator "jumped through hoops" to help the sale close.

Others appreciated the lack of pressure from the House Buyers sales reps. Rather than urging them to accept an offer quickly, they took the time to answer questions and tell them exactly what to expect moving forward.

  • "The entire process was seamless. I didn't have to do anything except sign! I was able to leave everything behind and everyone was very friendly. The process could not have been any faster."
  • "House Buyers of America was very accommodating when they purchased my condominium. There was no pressure and they worked with my timeline for closing."
  • "The team at House Buyers walked me through each step of the process tirelessly helping me with the process and answering all my questions quickly and thoroughly."

The company's process is designed to minimize stress for sellers, with many reviews highlighting:

  • Clear explanations of each step in the selling process
  • Prompt responses to questions and concerns
  • Flexible closing dates to accommodate sellers' timelines
  • The ability to leave unwanted items behind
  • No need to make repairs or improvements
  • Virtual closing options in many cases

Offer quality: How much does House Buyers of America pay?

🔑 Key points

  • Cash deals on any property regardless of location or condition
  • 18% of reviews mention competitive offers, while 5% mention disappointing offers

As a real estate investor that flips homes for a profit, the company specializes in buying distressed homes that might otherwise sit on the market. It also helps homeowners secure a quick home sale in situations such as foreclosure or an unexpected life event.

While their offers won't match what you might get on the open market with a real estate agent, many customers report being satisfied with the trade-off between a lower price and the convenience of a quick, as-is sale with no commission fees or closing costs.

  • "House Buyers gave a fair price, did their inspections, and worked tirelessly with the title company to help us with clearing everything up within the estate."
  • "They offered us a fair price and it was quick and easy! Their staff is very professional and exceptionally knowledgeable."
  • "House buyers offered me the best price so I went with them. My contact there was really nice - so was their settlement coordinator."
  • "Got a lowball quote of close to 45% below market and comps for this exact neighborhood and house model."
  • "Offer of 315k for a 415k house when this house needs nothing fixed"

Factors that affect your offer

Most cash investors offer no more than 60–80% of a property's potential post-renovation value, minus estimated repair costs.[3] However, actual offers take a variety of factors into account, including:

  • Current condition of the home
  • Estimated repair costs and renovation timeline
  • Location and neighborhood comparables
  • Market trends in the area
  • The level of complication and risk involved (due to un-permitted additions, tenants, etc.)
  • The company's expected profit margin after renovations

Credibility: Is House Buyers of America legit?

🔑 Key points

  • BBB accredited, with an A+ rating
  • 56% of reviews mention fair and ethical treatment from House Buyers of America
  • 8% of reviews mention questionable ethics or practices, while 6% of reviews complain about unsolicited marketing materials

House Buyers of America is a legitimate company, accredited by the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating. Founded in 2001, they have established themselves as a reputable player in the cash-for-houses industry with a long track record of successful transactions.

Customer reviews overwhelmingly indicate that House Buyers of America operates with integrity, following through on commitments and maintaining transparent communication throughout the process. 56% of reviews specifically mention professional and ethical treatment, suggesting most customers feel the company conducts business honestly.

  • "They were upfront about everything and gave us a fair price. We wanted to sell AS-IS without having to mitigate all the issues from selling the standard way."
  • "Everything they said went exactly the way they said it would. They gave me time to do what I needed to do on my end."
  • "They presented everything in a straight forward manner and made things an extremely smooth process. They offered a fair price and did not undercut the value of the property."

That said, every company has room for improvement. Some House Buyers customers complain of last-minute price drops and aggressive marketing tactics with no option to be removed from the company's mailing list:

  • "They'll have you enter into contract for a price already well below market value, and will then significantly reduce the offer after their inspection."
  • While pleasant to deal with, their process is frustrating and a bit misleading...they give you an “as is” offer, then have a due diligence period to find reasons to negotiate a lower price."
  • "House Buyers of America continues to send mailings to our address for my father who passed away in April 2017. We have called more than once to have his name removed from the mailing list."
  • "This company is definitely looking for desperate customers in bad situations that need to sell fast"

House Buyers of America vs. alternatives

If you're looking for a fast cash offer on your home, and live near the Baltimore, Philadelphia, or Washington, DC, metro areas, House Buyers of America is worth considering.

However, there are a number of well-rated home buyers in the area, so getting offers from a few other is probably wise.

Cash buyers range in scale from local house-flippers to corporate real estate developers operating in all 50 states.

Most cash buyers can close a home sale within three weeks of signing a purchase agreement, sometimes in as little as seven days (though closing times vary).

Here are some of the top alternatives we recommend.

Company
Customer Rating
Offer Rating
Best for
Best overall
5.0
4,037 reviews
Most competitive
Multiple offers, vetted investors
Compare Offers
On listwithclever.com
Fast sales, professional service
4.8
269 reviews
Average
Fast sales, professional service
Fair offers for East Coast sellers
4.4
712 reviews
Average
Fair offers for East Coast sellers
Specializing in hard-to-sell properties
4.6
2588 reviews
Average
Hard-to-sell properties
Best overall

Clever Offers

Compare Offers
On listwithclever.com
5.0
4,037 reviews

Type

National cash offer network

Offer Rating

Most competitive

Time to Close

Varies

Why We chose it

Pros and cons

Specifics

Clever Offers helps you find and compare offers from leading cash buyers in your area — all with a proven track record of ethical dealings with home sellers. 

Because Clever's network includes local/national investors, iBuyers, and agents with experience listing homes as is, you get a range of offers to choose from — including alternative deal types that deliver a higher payout over time. 

The 5-star rated company gets top marks for helping you make an informed decision without pressuring you to move forward. See our full Clever Offers review.

Pros

  • Multiple competing cash offers
  • Vetted investors with proven success/funding
  • Explore alternate offer types that may fetch a higher price

Cons

  • Legal review of contracts still advised
  • Some deal types have longer timelines
  • Cash offers may still be below market value

Offer Process: After a brief discussion about your property, Clever walks you through your options and reaches out to buyers who can offer a solution. Buyers contact you directly with offers, which you can accept or reject without obligation. Clever provides full support through closing to resolve any concerns or questions. Learn how Clever Offers works.

Closing Timeline: Most cash buyers can close in 1–3 weeks, but will work with you if you need longer. Some deal types may have longer closing timelines.

Fees and Costs: Clever's service is free for sellers - investors pay Clever a small percentage of the final sale price if a deal closes. If you opt to list your house instead, you can save on realtor commissions through Clever's top-rated agent network.

Purchase Criteria: Almost any property is eligible, since Clever works with multiple types of cash buyers.

Locations: Clever Offers is available nationwide, but offer selection may be limited in more rural areas.

Fast sales, professional service

We Buy Houses

Learn More
On listwithclever.com
4.8
269 reviews

Type

Franchise cash buyer

Offer Rating

Average

Time to Close

7–14 days+

Why we chose it

Pros and cons

Specifics

We Buy Houses is a solid choice if you need to sell fast or have a home that’s difficult to sell. You don’t need to worry about repairs and can close extremely quickly, sometimes in just a week.

The company has been around since 1997, carefully vets its investors' reputations, and is available in most of the U.S. 

Franchise owners have a high degree of independence when it comes to the types of offers they can make. While the customer experience may vary between locations, most offices maintain above-average ratings. See our full We Buy Houses review.

Pros

  • Fast offers (24–48 hours) and closings (7-14 days)
  • No commissions, fees, or closing costs
  • Vetted, reputable investors

Cons

  • Pay below market value
  • Offer is typically take it or leave it
  • Customer experience may vary location

Offer process: Submit information about your property and a company rep will come to your house. You’ll receive a no-obligation cash offer within 24-48 hours following the inspection, which you're free to accept or reject. Learn how We Buy Houses works.

Closing timeline: You can close in as little as seven days and you can choose your own closing date. Money will be deposited in your account in as little as ten days from signing the purchase agreement.

Fees & other costs: Typically there are no fees, closing costs, or realtor commissions. However, if you already have a realtor, you’ll likely need to pay their commission (typically 2.5–3%).

Purchase criteria: Franchise licensees can make offers on nearly any property, regardless of the condition, but most will not purchase mobile homes.

Locations: We Buy Houses has 200 offices across 30 U.S. states and Washington, DC.

Did you use We Buy Houses? Leave a review for the chance to win a $250 Amazon gift card.
Fair offers for East Coast sellers

MarketPro Homebuyers

Learn More
On listwithclever.com
4.4
712 reviews

Type

Regional cash buyer

Offer Rating

Average

Time to Close

3 weeks+

Why we chose it

Pros and cons

Specifics

MarketPro stands out for its same-day offers, transparent pricing, and flexible closing windows. It also offers unique perks like packing and moving assistance. 

The company can view your property in person or virtually and will walk you through the numbers to see how their offer compares with your home's potential listing price.

According to customer reviews, you can expect a fair price and a smooth, efficient selling process led by an experienced team. See our full MarketPro Homebuyers review.

Pros

  • Same-day offers, 3-week closings
  • Free packing and moving help
  • Praised for fairness and service quality

Cons

  • Offers below market value
  • Hard to get off their mailing list if you don't want to sell

Process: Schedule a virtual or in-person visit with a consultant so they can see your property. You’ll receive an offer during the appointment, which you’re free to accept or reject. You can then choose your own closing date. Learn how MarketPro Homebuyers works

Closing timeline: MarketPro promises to “accommodate any need” during the closing process. You can close in as few as three weeks or change your closing date if needed.

Fees & other costs: There are no fees or closing costs when selling directly to MarketPro. If you use your own real estate agent, you’ll likely have to pay their listing fee (usually 2.5–3%).

Purchase criteria: Homes, townhomes, and condominiums of any condition or price range. Multi-family buildings, commercial properties, and land sales are not eligible.

Locations: MarketPro Homebuyers operates in 18 metros across FL, MD, PA, VA, and DC. 

Did you use MarketPro Homebuyers? Leave a review for the chance to win a $250 Amazon gift card.
Specializing in hard-to-sell properties

We Buy Ugly Houses

Learn More
On listwithclever.com
4.6
2588 reviews

Type

Franchise cash buyer

Offer Rating

Average

Time to Close

3 weeks+

Why we chose it

Pros and cons

Specifics

We Buy Ugly Houses / HomeVestors will purchase homes that most other buyers won't. The company makes near-instant offers and it buys homes as-is, so you don’t need to worry about repairs or cleaning.

As a franchise company, service quality can vary between locations. Most locations maintain positive customer ratings, but the company recently received bad press for the questionable sales tactics employed by some of its licensees. 

The company's broad availability makes it a viable choice for home sellers with limited options, but we strongly suggest comparing at least 2–3 other offers before entering into a contract. See our full We Buy Ugly Houses review.

HomeVestors (the parent company of We Buy Ugly Houses) is a national cash buyer made up of independently owned and operated local franchises.

Each franchise can provide an initial offer within 48 hours and close in as little as 3 weeks. However, home sellers typically only receive about 70% of their home's value.

While many We Buy Ugly Houses locations have positive customer reviews, others have more complaints. Some people have accused the company of predatory practices targeting homeowners in financial distress.

Pros

  • 24-48 hour offers, 3 week closings
  • Many franchises have high customer ratings
  • Buys homes in any condition

Cons

  • Typically offer 70% of potential home value
  • Inconsistent reviews across locations
  • Company has been accused of preying on distressed homeowners

Process: Submit your property information to your local We Buy Ugly Houses office and schedule an inspection. Within 24 hours of the inspection, you’ll get a no-obligation cash offer. If you accept, you choose your closing date. See how We Buy Ugly Housesworks.

Closing timeline: Closing is flexble and can usually be completed 2–5 weeks from when you accept the offer. 

Fees & other costs: There are typically no commissions, fees, or closing costs. But if you already have your own realtor, you may have to pay them their listing fee (usually 2.5–3%).

Purchase criteria: Almost any property is eligible, including inherited properties, short sales, distressed homes, and some commercial properties. Typically will not purchase mobile homes.

Locations: We Buy Ugly Houses has over 1,000 independently operated franchises spanning 46 states and Washington, DC.

Did you use We Buy Ugly Houses? Leave a review for the chance to win a $250 Amazon gift card.

How selling to House Buyers of America works

To get started with House Buyers of America, you can visit housebuyersofamerica.com or call (866) 980-0731.

Step 1: Request a preliminary offer

You'll provide basic property info like the address, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, year built, and current condition. You'll get an initial offer in as little as 10 minutes.

Step 2: Schedule a walk-through

If you wish to move forward with the initial offer, a property consultant will come to your home to verify its condition and ask any follow-up questions. After the walk-through, they'll present a final offer and purchase agreement (contingent on a third-party inspection and clean title report).

Reviews mention that the company is low pressure and gives you plenty of time to consider the offer before accepting.

Step 3: Get an inspection

Following the walk-through, House Buyers of America will order a detailed home inspection. If the inspection report turns up any property faults that weren't discovered during the initial walk-through, your offer could be lowered — though this wasn't a common complaint among reviews.

Step 4: Close on your timeline

House Buyers lets you choose a closing date between seven days to nine months of signing the purchase agreement. Numerous customer reviews mention that the company works hard to deliver when a seller needs a fast close.

What types of homes does House Buyers of America purchase?

House Buyers of America buys a variety of residential properties, including single-family homes, townhomes, condos, and duplexes. The company specializes in:

  1. Properties in poor condition, including those needing significant repairs
  2. Homes from owners facing challenging situations (foreclosure, inheritance, divorce, etc.)
  3. Properties that might be difficult to sell through traditional methods

This business model allows them to serve homeowners who need to sell quickly or don't have the resources to prepare their property for the conventional real estate market. Their focus on buying properties "as is" means sellers don't need to invest in repairs, cleaning, or staging before selling.

House Buyers of America locations

Headquartered in Chantilly, VA, House Buyers of America buys homes in and around the following areas:

  • Maryland: Anne Arundel County, Baltimore, Charles County, Frederick County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Prince George's County, St. Mary's County
  • Pennsylvania: Philadelphia
  • Virginia: Alexandria County, Arlington County, Fairfax County, Fauquier County, Prince William County, Stafford County
  • Washington, DC

FAQs about House Buyers of America

Is House Buyers of America legit?

House Buyers of America is a legitimate company that has purchased thousands of homes in the Northeastern United States. The company maintains a 4.53 rating across multiple review sites and hundreds of customer reviews.

Who owns House Buyers of America?

House Buyers of America was founded in 2002 by Nick Ron, who still serves as the company's CEO. The company is headquartered in Chantilly, VA, and purchases homes in Maryland, northern Virginia, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC.

How does House Buyers of America work?

When you sell your home to House Buyers of America, the company pays for closing costs and can provide a cash settlement in as little as a week. You can request an offer on its website or by calling (866) 980-0731. If you agree to the initial offer, it will complete an inspection of your home to verify its condition and write up a purchase contract.

What percentage of home value do you get when you sell to House Buyers or America?

When you sell to a cash buyer like House Buyers of America, you can typically expect to receive 50–70% of your home's estimated market value. However, customer reviews state that House Buyers of America makes fair offers that are often higher than competitors'.

Methodology

We evaluate each company that buys houses for cash based on four core criteria:

  • Customer reviews
  • Service quality
  • Offer quality
  • Credibility

Customer reviews

Our review analysis process includes gathering all verifiable customer reviews from 3rd party sites such as BBB, Google, Consumer Affairs, TrustPilot, and Yelp.

In addition to tallying total review counts and average customer ratings, we used AI to identify positive and negative themes related to our remaining core criteria:

  • Offer quality: Whether customers are pleased or disappointed with the amount of money offered for their homes
  • Service quality: Measures the ease and convenience of the process, as well as the level of support provided throughout
  • Credibility: The degree to which customers report being treated professionally and ethically vs. reporting a lack of integrity on the part of the company or its representatives

To ensure an accurate depiction of the customer experience, we run every review through AI to check for mentions of each theme and tally the percentage of mentions across the entire review set.

Service quality

Customer experience. We rely on secret shopping and fact-checking interviews with company representatives to look for indicators that the company is professional, communicative, customer-focused, and ethical in its dealings with customers. 

We verify this information against customer reviews and interviews with past customers or professionals (realtors, former employees) who have had direct experience working with the brand. 

Offer quality

Price. While nearly all cash buyers pay less than market value for homes, we look at how competitive the company's offers are compared to similar companies.

Purchase criteria. We also examine the company's purchase criteria to see how flexible and accommodating they are in making offers. Companies that offer a fair price for homes that other buyers won't purchase can still receive a high rating for offer quality.

Credibility

Trust signals. We look at how long the company has been in business, the number of verified customer reviews it has, how willing the company was to answer questions about their business model when we contacted them, and how easy it is to find detailed information on their website — including the names and contact details of specific team members. 

We also look at customer reviews indicating whether the company acts with honesty and integrity in their business dealings.

Related articles

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Our experts continually research, evaluate, and monitor real estate companies and industry trends. We update our articles when new information becomes available.

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