Who it's for | What it pays | Reviews | How it works | Competitors | Locations | FAQ
Doug Hopkins Real Estate is a leading real estate broker and cash buyer in the Phoenix area. The company purchases homes as-is — even if they need significant work or are under threat of foreclosure — and flips them for a profit. The brokerage’s founder, Doug Hopkins, is widely known for his time on the Discovery Channel’s hit house-flipping show Property Wars.
Other companies can also buy your house fast for cash — and possibly net you a higher dollar amount — so be sure to explore alternatives before accepting an offer from Doug Hopkins.
To save some time, you can start with a free service like Clever Offers, which helps you compare the most competitive offers from leading cash buyers — ranging from local investors to iBuyers like Opendoor. That way, you can easily narrow down your best options. Simply send them a few details about your property, and they'll find you top offers — with no added fees or pressure to move forward.
Doug Hopkins at a glance
| ⭐ Customer rating | 4.3/5 (319 reviews) |
| 💲 Offer range | Likely average* (50–70% of potential market value) |
| 🤝 How it works | Get a cash offer within 24 hours; close in as little as 7 days |
| 💵 Fees and other costs | None |
| 🚦 Purchase criteria | All homes except mobile homes or commercial properties |
| 🌎 Availability | Major cities throughout Arizona, including Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Tempe |
Who Doug Hopkins works best for
Property investors like Doug Hopkins are generally a good match for homeowners with "distressed" properties, who don't mind selling at a discount. Particular situations that might make a company like Doug Hopkins worth considering include:
- Your home needs major repairs
- You have complex title or tax issues
- Your home is entering foreclosure or you are behind on payments
- You’ve inherited a property you don’t want to put time and money into selling
- You're under pressure to sell fast
Flipping properties carries a lot of risk, so companies like Doug Hopkins tend to buy low to ensure they don't lose money on the deal. In exchange for a lower sale price, they'll close quickly and make the process as easy as possible on the owner — including paying for closing costs and letting you leave unwanted things behind.
However, the more lucrative option is almost always going to be putting your house on the market where it's likely to attract the attention of multiple buyers — including cash buyers looking to purchase homes as is.
In some cases, Doug Hopkins may actually recommend using their services to list your home instead of selling to them for cash. In that case, you may be better off finding a brokerage that offers lower commission rates, so you can save on realtor fees.
If you need the speed and certainty of a cash offer, be sure to get at least a few competing offers from other cash buyers in your area — including any iBuyers that might be available, since they tend to pay more for homes in decent condition.
A cash offer network like Clever Offers can save you time in the process, since it helps you source competing bids from a variety of cash buyers.
Below are some of our top recommendations to consider.
Is Doug Hopkins legitimate?
Yes, Doug Hopkins is a legitimate cash buyer and real estate brokerage offering cash deals for homes in Arizona. The company offers customers a quick home sale without the need for repairs or listing on the market.
Doug Hopkins, a real estate investor best known for appearing on the Discovery Channel’s house-flipping series Property Wars, founded the company in 2011 and still heads it himself. Over the years, Hopkins has bought and sold over 20,000 properties, and the company has grown to serve most major cities in Arizona.[1]
How much does Doug Hopkins pay?
Doug Hopkins’ cash offers are competitive with other cash buyers in Arizona. However, when selling to an investor, you should expect to get around 50–80% of your home’s after repair value (ARV), with 70% being the norm.
When sizing up a property, they'll consider its location, the repairs and improvements needed, and future profit potential. They'll also factor in future selling costs, such as realtor commissions, plus ownership costs like taxes and utilities during the renovation.
Doug Hopkins vs. competitors
'We buy houses' companies range from nationwide franchises like We Buy Ugly Houses to local house flippers. They buy properties in almost any condition and can often close in as little as 1–2 weeks.
iBuyers and buy-before-you-sell services like Opendoor and Homeward pay closer to market value than house flippers or rental property investors. But they also have narrower purchase criteria, extra program fees, and limited availability.
Cash offer networks like Clever Offers source cash offers from multiple local buyers, which could lead to a more competitive sale price and better terms.
The competitors below are highly rated and may be able to get you more for your home than what Doug Hopkins offers:
Customer Rating
Service Fee
Time to Close
Our take
Details
Eligibility
Clever Offers provides a hassle-free way to source and compare competitive cash offers. When you want the speed and ease of an all-cash sale, this 5-star rated company can bring you multiple competing offers from a variety of sources — including iBuyers, small and large-scale investors, and even your local MLS. You can compare offers side-by-side with no added fees or obligation to move forward. Start here to compare offers.
Pros
- One source for multiple competing offers
- Buyers are screened for experience and proven success at closing deals
- Clever stays with you to ensure a smooth closing and resolve any issues that arise
Cons
- Some offers may be low
- Alternative deal types may have longer closing timelines
- Cash offer options may be limited in some areas
Customer Rating
Service Fee
Time to Close
Our take
Details
Eligibility
Sundae's auction-style marketplace can get you competing offers from multiple investors. The company also provides up to a $10,000 cash advance, which can help if you need cash before closing. However, your offer is reduced upfront because of behind-the-scenes fees Sundae charges its investors. Read our full Sundae review.
Pros
- Investors place competing bids on your property
- Get up to a $10,000 cash advance to help with moving and other expenses
- A company rep handles your property photos and auction listing
Cons
- Investor fees are deducted before you see a final offer
- You can probably sell faster elsewhere – Sundae requires an in-home inspection before you can list, plus a 4-day bidding period before you can accept an offer
Customer Rating
Service Fee
Time to Close
Our take
Details
Eligibility
Established in 1997, We Buy Houses is a solid choice if you want to sell fast to a reliable brand. You don’t need to worry about repairs — or even getting caught up on mortgage payments — and you can close extremely quickly, sometimes in just a week. However, expect to get less than market value for your house. Read our full We Buy Houses review.
Pros
- Get an offer in 24–48 hours and close in as little as 7 days.
- Will buy homes in any condition, even if you're behind on payments
- They'll accommodate your moving timeline and pay closing costs
Cons
- Offers and service quality can vary between local franchises
- Company pays less than fair market value
- Little room for negotiation after the initial offer
Customer Rating
Service Fee
Time to Close
Our take
Details
Eligibility
Opendoor pays much closer to market value than traditional house flippers while still offering the benefit of fast closings and no repairs. For that convenience, you’ll need to contend with stricter purchase criteria, repair deductions, and a service fee of 5%. Read our full Opendoor review.
Pros
- Pays closer to market value than traditional home flippers
- No need to make repairs or prep your home for sale
- Choose your closing date and change it if needed
Cons
- Final offers can be significantly lower than the initial estimates
- Stricter purchase criteria than traditional home flippers
- Repair deductions and 5% service fee can eat into profits
» MORE: Want to find more cash buyers near you? Check out our guide to the best companies that buy houses for cash.
Doug Hopkins vs. a realtor
Choosing a cash buyer like Doug Hopkins guarantees an immediate sale, but it also means you will most likely sell your home below fair market value.
Working with a realtor will come with added expenses — repairs, closing costs, and commissions — but you often stand to make more money in the long run.
If your home needs a little work but your timeline has a little wiggle room, you may want to consider listing it — something that Doug Hopkins itself has recommended to home sellers in the past.
"Rather than buy our house," said home seller Mike S. in a May 2024 Google Review, "they suggested we sell on the open market.[2] Went extremely well, sold quickly and the process was very easy. Kyle [Anderson] ]was an excellent agent. I would definitely recommend this company."
While it may take slightly longer to get an offer with a traditional listing, your home will be exposed to far more competition and probably get a much higher sale price. You can also save on selling costs by working with a top-rated broker offering lower-than-average commission rates.
Doug Hopkins reviews: What customers have to say
| Review site | Average Rating | Total Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| 4.6/5 | 275 reviews | |
| Yelp | 2.1/5 | 44 reviews |
| Total | 4.3/5 | 319 reviews |
Doug Hopkins receives mostly positive reviews with an average 4.3/5 across 319 reviews on Google and Yelp.
Most positive reviews highlight the ease and convenience of selling to Doug Hopkins. They also mention that offers are fair given the condition of the homes. In contrast, negative customer reviews indicate lowball offers and missed communication between the seller and the business.
Here are some of the common themes we see from sellers who chose Doug Hopkins:
✅ Fair offers for homes in need of work
Customers frequently praise Doug Hopkins for quality offers. Multiple reviews show that customers are happy with how much the cash buyer pays for homes after factoring in the convenience of a quick sale.
"Sold a rental house to Doug Hopkins and it went very smoothly. Doug met us at the house and we had a deal done in 30 minutes. We received what we believed to be a fair price given the poor condition of the house. We didn't need to do any clean up or repairs and there were no fees. We picked the closing date and closed on time. Super easy and super convenient."
— Bill, August 2024, Google Reviews[3]
✅ Simple selling process
Doug Hopkins uses a straightforward home buying model that consists of an in-person meeting, a home walk-through, and an as-is cash offer. This simplicity streamlines home selling and keeps customers from worrying about potential repairs, open houses, and showings.
"We just sold our home with them, and it was almost too easy. We got a full asking offer within 36 hours after it was listed. It didn’t matter what time it was, when we reached out about something the follow-up was immediate. Nick [Staffieri] is fantastic, we highly recommend him."
— Adrienne L., April 2024, Google Reviews[4]
✅ Professionalism and transparency
Two things that stand out to customers are the professionalism and transparency of the team at Doug Hopkins. Many customers make it a point to include their point of contact by name and how well they handle the process.
"Everything worked exactly as Josh [Barton] described and laid out with full transparency. No hidden fees, exaggerations, or misleading promises at all. They take care of all the details and pay promptly upon closing. Easy to work with."
— Mike W., May 2024, Google Reviews[5]
❌ Offers below market value
While sellers with homes that need a lot of work consider their offers from Doug Hopkins to be fair, customers who expect to get fair market value for homes with selling potential tend to be disappointed.
"Offers 100k below market on a home that needs maybe 20k in reno. Ridiculous! Trying to soak up all the profits and leave us with a whole lot less. Avoid and pay the agent fees and make more money for yourself."
— Mark J., March 2023, Yelp[6]
"I can absolutely GUARANTEE you, you will get one of the BIGGEST LOWBALL offers from this company. This company had the audacity to lowball me over $100,000 dollars than Offerpad & Opendoor and that's before even looking at my house. After selling my house to one of the other competitors, even after price adjustments for repairs I still got paid $106,000 more than what Doug Hopkins had offered. SERIOUSLY, do your research before dealing with this place."
— J.T., March 2023, Yelp[7]
❌ Unclear communication and missed appointments
While there are very few negative reviews of the Doug Hopkins team, the negatives that do exist involve missed communication between customers and the team. However, the team is always quick to respond to negative reviews.
"I had a walk-through appointment scheduled for 2:00 pm. They sent a confirmation text early in the morning and I never heard from them again. No one ever showed up. I think this may be a scam deal."
– Dennis K., February 2024, Google Reviews[8]
Later, the same reviewer wrote: "They actually called after I wrote the review. Funny how that works. Still seems a little scammy."
How does Doug Hopkins work?
Doug Hopkins gives customers two ways to sell your home: cash offers or traditional real estate listings. The company’s cash offer is its primary service and can be a good option for homes needing significant repairs.
Here’s how the cash-buying process works at Doug Hopkins:
1. Contact Doug Hopkins via an online form
Start by entering your address into the box at the top of the home page. From there, you will be taken to a form where you fill out your contact information and provide details about your home.
2. Get an assessment and a cash offer
Someone from the Doug Hopkins team will contact you to set up a walk-through to assess the condition of your home. Once the walkthrough is complete, the representative will make an offer. This process can take as little as 24 hours.
The team may also recommend listing with Doug Hopkins for a traditional sale if they think your home could make more money on the open market.
3. Accept the offer and close
If you accept the cash offer, you will choose a closing date that fits your schedule. According to the Doug Hopkins website, closing is typically 7 days if there are no unforeseen problems.[9]
Doug Hopkins fees and other costs
You won’t pay any fees, realtor commissions, or closing costs when you accept the cash offer from Doug Hopkins.
What kinds of homes does Doug Hopkins buy?
According to Doug Hopkins, the company buys homes of "all shapes and sizes." This means:
- Single-family homes
- Multi-family homes
- Condos and townhomes
- Homes with significant repairs
- Homes in foreclosure
- Homes with liens or delinquent payments
However, Doug Hopkins does NOT buy mobile or premanufactured homes. In addition, Doug Hopkins won't purchase homes from sellers who are already under a listing agreement with a real estate agent. To sell to Doug Hopkins directly, you would need to cancel your existing listing agreement.
Where is Doug Hopkins available?
Doug Hopkins is a local Arizona company that mainly serves cities in the Phoenix metropolitan area, along with Tucson, Flagstaff, and other areas of Arizona.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Doug Hopkins?
Doug Hopkins is an Arizona-based realtor who is one of the top buyers of foreclosure properties in the western United States. He has been recognized as one of Arizona's top 25 real estate agents and is best known for appearing in the Discovery Channel's show Property Wars in 2012.
Is Doug Hopkins Real Estate legitimate?
Yes. Doug Hopkins Real Estate is a legitimate company that specializes in buying houses in disrepair or financial distress for cash in Arizona. Its founder, Doug Hopkins, has bought and sold over 20,000 homes in his career. Learn who Doug Hopkins Real Estate works best for.
Are Doug Hopkins reviews positive?
Doug Hopkins has received mostly positive reviews and has approximately 319 reviews on Google and Yelp. Learn more about what customers are saying.
Related reading
7 Companies That Buy Houses for Cash in 2022. These companies buy houses for cash, helping you sell your home quickly and conveniently — but at a cost!
We Buy Houses in Arizona | Top Companies for 2022. If you need to sell your house fast for cash in Arizona, Express Homebuyers and We Buy Houses might be good options, but they won’t offer your home’s full value.
Are "We Buy Houses" Companies a Ripoff? Depending on your situation, cash buyer companies could provide a hassle-free way to sell a distressed property. But if you want to get the maximum value for your home, an offer from a "We Buy Houses" company might leave you feeling ripped off. Learn more!
What Is An iBuyer? How iBuying Works, & More! iBuyers are companies that use technology and data to give home sellers fast cash offers. Learn how iBuying works and which companies are the best.
About our reviews
Our company reviews are powered by hundreds of hours of research. To evaluate and rank cash home-buying companies, we analyzed thousands of customer reviews, secret-shopped each company, and looked to publicly available data for indicators of offer quality, customer service, fees vs. value provided, trustworthiness, and more. Whenever possible, we also talked to customers, company reps, and industry professionals (such as real estate agents) who've had direct experience working with the brand.