Cash Home Buyers in California | Top Companies

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  Written by Bailey Peterson

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  Edited by Josiah Wilmoth

Cash home buyers in California | Should I sell to a cash home buyer? | How much do they pay? | Alternatives | FAQs

Cash home buyers in California pay cash for homes, then fix them up and resell them for a profit.

These companies offer a quick, easy sale — so they’re worth considering if you need to sell in a matter of days. Companies that buy houses for cash don’t charge any fees or closing costs, and they’ll purchase almost any home without requiring any repairs.

However, you’ll likely make a lot less money selling to a real estate investment company than if you’d listed it on the open market. Most California home sellers can get a much higher price by using a real estate agent to find a traditional buyer.

And in California’s housing market today, there are many buyers who are willing to buy houses for cash quickly in as-is condition.

Before you sign a contract with a cash home buyer, we strongly recommend getting multiple offers. This lets you compare your options, so you can be confident you’re getting a fair price for your house.

If you want to sell your house fast for cash in California, start by comparing options with Clever Offers! Clever Offers is a free service that matches sellers with vetted cash buyers, saving them time and ensuring a competitive selling price. Request as many offers as you’d like, choose the best one, or walk away any time. Get cash offers from top California buyers today!

Quick view: Top 6 California cash buyers

💰 Cash buyer	💸 Time to offer	🗓 Time to close
1. Clever Offers	Varies	Varies
2. Premier Property Buyers	24 hours	7 days
3. SoCal Home Buyers	After home evaluation	7 days
4. California Family Homebuyers	24 hours	7 days
5. Express Homebuyers	7 minutes	7 days
6. We Buy Ugly Houses	After home evaluation	21 days

Top 6 cash buyers in California

🥇 Clever Offers: Our top pick

Clever Offers is a free service that matches sellers with vetted cash buyers in their area. It’s ideal for sellers who want to compare various offers, get the best deal, and sell a home fast.

Alternatively, sellers can explore other home sale options, like seller financing or listing with a local realtor.

Your Clever concierge can also match you with a local realtor for a free comparative market analysis (CMA) of your property. You can use a CMA to negotiate with investors and get the best price for your home. 

The Clever team is available for any support you need during the process, including buyer communications, offer rejections, and more.

» MORE: Clever Offers in review

🥈 Premier Property Buyers: Positive customer feedback

Premier Property Buyers is a family-owned business that purchases homes in any condition or situation throughout Southern California. Based in Seal Beach, the company can make an initial cash offer within 24 hours and close in as little as 7 days, or more if you need extra time.

Premier Property Buyers ranks second our list because of its excellent customer feedback and compassionate approach. It also earns a spot in our “we buy houses” in Los Angeles list. Reviews of the company are overwhelmingly positive, with former sellers noting the company’s fair offers, transparency, and prompt service, including closing and payment. Customers note:

• The entire process was straightforward, complete, quick, and easy.
• Eric from Premier Property Buyers took a personal interest in the seller’s situation and was honest, professional, and responsive.
• The company purchased a house that had been completely trashed by the former tenants. Eric visited the house the day after the seller called, emailed an offer two days later, and closed nine days after the contract was signed.

🥉 SoCal Home Buyers: Trusted family business

SoCal Home Buyers, a family-run real estate investment company since 2007, buys homes throughout Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Orange Counties. The Murrieta-based business says it will buy all types of houses, including teardowns, foreclosures, and tenant- or squatter-occupied properties.

The company allows sellers to choose their closing dates and can close in roughly seven days. SoCal Home Buyers says it can accommodate an even faster closing process if necessary, but sellers typically opt for a 10-to-30-day closing.

SoCal Home Buyers ranks third on our list because of its high customer ratings and local expertise. The co-founders are California real estate veterans with some 20 years of combined experience, and the company has closed hundreds of transactions.

Seller feedback on SoCal Home Buyers is extremely positive, making it one of the best-reviewed We Buy Houses in San Diego companies. Reviewers comment on the caring, professional team and the fair offers, easy process, and fast closings the company delivered. Highlights include:

• “Was a fast and painless process and the offer was pretty good.”
• “Everyone was patient and kind during a very stressful time for me… the whole crew made the experience pleasant when I was a ball of nerves.”
• SoCal Home Buyers closed on a house despite the fact that there was an unauthorized tenant who would not move out due to California’s eviction moratorium. The sale was closed at an acceptable price, quickly, and with no issues.

4. California Family Homebuyers: Local expertise 

California Family Homebuyers is a family-owned business that purchases homes in and around Sacramento. It makes an initial cash offer within 24 hours, pays for your closing costs, and can close in 7 days or when you choose.

The company makes our list because of its local expertise and positive reviews. California Family Homebuyers has several positive reviews on Facebook and Google, with former sellers noting that the company followed through on its agreements and saved them time and money.

We couldn’t find any recent reviews, though, so compare your options to other local cash buyers on this list before you accept a cash offer from California Family Homebuyers.

5. Express Homebuyers: Speed and convenience

Express Homebuyers, a nationwide cash buyer since 2003, purchases homes throughout California, including in Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, and Sacramento. The company earns a place on our list because of its established reputation for fast, easy sales.

Express Homebuyers makes an all-cash offer after visiting a property and can close in as little as seven days. The company says it can buy your California home even if it’s damaged by fire or mudslides or not built to code for earthquakes.

In our in-depth review of the nationwide Express Homebuyers brand, we found that many sellers are satisfied by the company’s quick service and fair prices. Examples of positive feedback include:

• “Everything was so smoothly done. Express Home buyers took care of everything. Not a hitch.”
• “The estimator that came out… was professional, friendly, and honest,” helping the reviewer’s elderly in-laws sell their house with minimum effort at a “slightly below-market price.”
• “Smooth, fast and secure transaction. Mostly highly recommended.”

Express Homebuyers has also received a number of negative reviews, mostly from sellers who complain that the company “can’t take no for an answer.” Many reviewers say the company continued to pester them after making an outrageously low cash offer on their home.

Remember that you should never agree to sell your home because you feel pressured. Instead, be prepared to walk away if the offer seems unfair.

6. We Buy Ugly Houses California: Well-known national brand

We Buy Ugly Houses, also known as HomeVestors, is a network of cash buyer franchises that has been purchasing homes throughout the U.S. since 1996. It can buy houses for cash in all of California’s major metro areas including Los Angeles, San Diego, the Bay Area, and Orange County.

The company can make a final cash offer after completing a property walkthrough and close in as few as three weeks. We Buy Ugly Houses California makes our list for its nationwide reputation and fast service, but mixed reviews in California suggest it may be riskier than other options.

Rick Haynes, owner of the HomeVestors franchise for California’s Central Valley Fresno area, has all five-star reviews on Zillow, with one reviewer saying he is “a great help in selling or purchasing a home.” But reviews of other HomeVestors franchises in California tend to be poor:

• One former seller in San Diego noted that the company dropped its cash offer by $50,000 a day or two after opening escrow.
• A number of reviewers complain of low offers and aggressive spamming by the company.
• One reviewer in Los Angeles says We Buy Ugly Houses made an offer and then tried to sell the deal to another investor.

Judging by reviews outside California, sellers who are simply looking to get an unwanted property off their hands with speed and ease are typically satisfied with We Buy Ugly Houses. Positive reviews focus on the company’s fast and smooth service delivery.

Your experience may vary, so we recommend speaking to a local rep directly and comparing all of your options before you sign anything.

» MORE: Our complete review of We Buy Ugly Houses

Not seeing the right company for you? Check out our list of the top companies that  buy houses for cash across the country!

Who should sell to a California cash home buyer?

Companies that buy houses for cash are best for people who need to sell their house immediately, even if it means leaving a lot of money on the table.

You may benefit from a We Buy Houses in California company if:

• You’re at risk of losing your home to foreclosure
• Your property needs extensive repairs that you can’t afford
• You need to unload an unwanted property in a matter of days

But even if you’re in a rush, most sellers should consult a real estate agent before accepting an offer from a cash buyer. Many local real estate agents are experienced in quick sales, and they may be able to help you sell your home on a tight timeline — for a lot more money.

If you’re considering selling to a company that buys houses for cash, we highly recommend getting a free home valuation from a local real estate agent. You can compare the agent’s opinion on your home’s worth and expected time to closing with the cash offer — and choose the option that’s best for you. 

Consulting a realtor is the best way to ensure that you keep the most equity in your pocket while still selling on your timeline.

Many realtors have relationships with top local cash buyers (and can help you avoid companies that only make lowball offers). Your agent can help you get cash offers from local companies that have good reputations. They can also help you understand your options to find the best way to sell your home within your timeline for as much money as possible.

How do cash home buyers work?

Companies that buy houses for cash in California are typically owned by real estate investors. These investors look for deals, most often by searching for distressed or unwanted properties that tend to be less desirable to ordinary home buyers.

They purchase the homes by making fast, all-cash offers that allow them to buy at a discounted price. Then, they make the necessary repairs and re-sell the properties for a profit.

Cash buyer pros and cons for California home sellers

How much do cash buyers in California pay?

Companies that buy houses for cash and local real estate investors in California generally use the 70% rule: never pay more than 70% of a home’s after-repair value (ARV), minus repair costs. You can get a ballpark idea of your home’s ARV by looking at listing/sale prices of comparable homes in your neighborhood that have been renovated recently.

The median listing price of homes in California is $759,500. Assuming cash buyers believe that your home will be worth that after they’ve made the necessary repairs ($50,000 in this example), they would pay you around $481,650.

(After repair value x 0.70) – Repair costs = Purchase price

($759,500 x 0.70) – $50,000 = $481,650

When is accepting a cash offer from a company worth it?

Selling to companies that buy houses for cash may be worth it if you need to sell your home quickly and don’t have time to make any repairs.

But most sellers will be able to sell their home for a much higher price by listing on the open market.

You need to sell your house fast

	🗓 Time to sell	💰 Median listing price
California	29 days	$759,500
United States	50 days	$427,250

The average time to sell in California is 29 days — but some sellers need to unload a property more quickly than that.

One of the biggest advantages to a cash buyer company is that it can make you fast, cash offer that gets you to the closing table in as little as a week. You’ll also avoid paying closing costs.

But the drawback is that these companies typically make low cash offers. In many cases, a local realtor who specializes in fast closings will be able to help you sell your home quickly to a traditional buyer or an investor who will buy houses for cash — for a lot more money.

You’re selling a house in poor condition

Another great benefit of a cash buyer in California is that it will purchase homes in as-is condition. If your home is in need of extensive repairs or is structurally unsound, it may be easier to sell to a cash buyer company instead of finding a buyer on the open market.

That said, we recommend talking to an experienced real estate agent before accepting offers from companies that buy houses for cash. In today’s market, there are buyers who are willing to purchase fixer-uppers, and you’ll almost always get more money for your home by selling on the open market. You’ll get a free expert home valuation to make sure you’re getting a fair price.

Better alternatives for California home sellers

There are two main types of alternatives to selling to companies that buy houses for cash in California: selling to an iBuyer or listing with a traditional agent.

If you’re selling a newer home that doesn’t need extensive repairs, we recommend getting an offer from an iBuyer.

Listing with a real estate agent is the best way to sell your home for its full value — and an agent can help you compare cash offers to what your home may get on the open market.

Sell to an iBuyer

Like other companies that buy houses for cash, iBuyers make all-cash offers on homes. They offer the same fast closing timelines, but they typically pay much closer to market value. 

But there’s a reason iBuyers pay more than traditional We Buy Houses companies. iBuyers have much stricter purchase criteria and are only available in select areas. If your home was built recently and only needs minor repairs, it may be a good candidate for an iBuyer. Otherwise, it probably won’t qualify.

If you need to sell your California home quickly and it’s in good shape, we recommend seeing if there are any iBuyers available in your area. Requesting a cash offer only takes a few minutes, and you can walk away with no obligation if the offer is lower than what you think your home is worth.

List with a California realtor who specializes in quick sales

Every seller should start their selling journey with an expert home valuation from a local real estate agent — even if you ultimately decide to sell to accept a cash offer from a company that buys houses for cash or iBuyer.

Getting a home valuation is free, no-risk, and allows you to ensure that you’re making the right decision.

In the current California real estate market, many top agents can still sell your home quickly. They can even target individual buyers and investors who buy houses for cash, allowing you to sell your home as-is while still getting top dollar for your home.

FAQs about We Buy Houses companies in California

More We Buy Houses for Cash resources

Want to learn more about how “we buy houses” companies work and what you should watch out for as a home seller? Check out these great resources!

Companies That Buy Houses for Cash [In-Depth Guide]: You might be willing to sell to a “we buy houses” company if you’re in a bind, but is it worth it? Find out how companies that buy houses operate. 

Are “We Buy Houses” Companies a Ripoff? Cardboard signs at the side of the road don’t seem very professional, so what’s the deal with all of these companies that advertise “We Buy Houses in California” on highway billboards? Learn how to tell the difference between a legitimate cash buyer and a scam.

How Much Will an Investor Pay for My House? Investors don’t buy houses because they love them — they buy them to make a profit. Learn more about how an investor would price your home if they were interested in buying it.

More California home selling guides

Selling a House in California: This in-depth guide covers everything you need to know about selling your property in California, from finding the best real estate agent to negotiating with buyers and navigating closing costs.

The TRUE Cost of Selling a House in California Revealed: The cost of selling a house varies across the country — here’s how much you can expect to pay as a California home seller. Learn what closing costs to watch out for and how to save in this complete guide.

How to Sell a House Without a Realtor in California: If you’re looking to save on realtor fees, you may be considering selling your home for sale by owner (FSBO). Here’s what you should know as a California home seller about the FSBO process.

Average Realtor Fees in California: Realtor fees are the largest closing costs that most sellers will have during the real estate process. In this article, we explain how much you should expect to pay as a California homeowner — and give you some tips on how to save!

The 3 Best Flat-Fee MLS Companies in California: If you’re thinking about selling your home for sale by owner, a flat-fee MLS company is a good way to ensure that your listing gets in front of potential buyers. Learn how to choose the best flat-fee MLS brokerage for your situation.