We Buy Houses is a franchise cash home buyer with more than 200 locations throughout the country. The company's franchisees make all cash offers on homes and can close quickly on a date of your choosing.
We Buy Houses is one of the more trusted cash buyer companies and tends to have higher standards of professionalism and integrity than some of its competitors. For sellers with hard-to-sell homes, it offers a quick and convenient solution. The tradeoff is that We Buy Houses pays significantly less than what you’d get on the open market — 70% of your home's after repair value is typical.
To avoid taking a significant loss, it's best to get quotes from multiple companies that buy houses for cash.
Clever Offers is a faster way to source offers from trusted cash buyers in your area. Simply fill out a short form with details about your home, review offers without obligation, and sell in as little as 7 days — with no added fees or commissions.
We Buy Houses at a glance
⭐ Customer rating | 4.8/5 (269 reviews) |
💲 Offer range | Likely average* |
🤝 How it works | Get a cash offer in 24–48 hours from a local real estate investor and close in as quickly as 72 hours or on a date of your choosing. Funds are deposited upon closing. Some locations offer alternative solutions, such as wraparound mortgages and seller financing. |
💵 Fees & other costs | None |
🚦 Purchase criteria | Almost any property qualifies, including homes needing significant repairs. Some franchises may refuse to purchase commercial properties or mobile homes. |
🌎 Availability | 32 states and Washington, DC |
*Based on a survey of 764 real estate investors indicating that 56% of house flippers offer no more than 70% of a home's after repair value (ARV), while fewer than 1 in 4 offer 80% or more
How much does We Buy Houses pay?
Like all cash buyers, We Buy Houses investors typically pays less for houses than a buyer might pay on the open market in a traditional home sale. If you’re selling to a company like We Buy Houses, expect an offer that’s 50–80% of your property’s after repair value (ARV).
That said, each We Buy Houses franchise decides how much it’ll offer, so the amount you get will vary depending on where you live. For example, house-flippers generally pay less for homes than investors who plan to rent out properties long-term.
The offer also depends on how much work the home needs. For example, Igor Avratiner, a licensee for We Buy Houses Philadelphia, says the offer price depends on the project length and difficulty. "Is this a house that’s been burned down, and we will have to make it safe? Or is it a house where we’re just painting, and we’ll put some flooring down?"
Like most cash buyers, We Buy Houses doesn’t charge closing costs or realtor commissions (unless you use your own realtor). And generally, the company doesn't lower its offer amounts following a second inspection, something that iBuyers and other cash buyers frequently do.
Before deciding who to sell to, it's a good idea to compare your options. One option we recommend is Clever Offers. With Clever, you can get multiple offers from vetted cash buyers, ranging from nationwide iBuyers to local investors. That way, you know you're getting the best possible price for your home.
You can also get matched with a top local realtor to see how much money you could get from a traditional listing based on your home's condition and how quickly you need to sell.
Clever Offers is free for home sellers. You can review offers without obligation and get an expert opinion of what your home is worth. Fill out a quick form to find your best offers.
We Buy Houses reviews: What customers have to say
Source | Average Rating | Review Count |
---|---|---|
4.8 | 269 | |
Weighted Average: | 4.8 | 269 |
We Buy Houses reviews are mostly positive, with an average rating of 4.80/5 (269 online reviews).
Many reviews praise We Buy Houses for its service quality and honest company representatives. Many customers also found that local We Buy Houses investors were flexible when dealing with challenging situations and made fair offers given the condition of the properties.
However, We Buy Houses is a franchise company, so service quality varies depending on the location.
A few reviewers complained about getting unsolicited phone calls from We Buy Houses. Although these consumers may have confused We Buy Houses with one of the many similarly named companies. A handful of negative reviews also noted questionable business practices on the part of certain offices.
Here's a breakdown of some of the most common themes we found in online customer reviews.
🟢 Positive review themes
- Good Communication (60% of reviews)
- Smooth Process (56%)
- Professional and Ethical Treatment (54%)
- Hassle-free Sale (53%)
- Competitive Offers (24%)
🟡 Areas for improvement
- Questionable Ethics (6% of reviews)
✅ Good Communication (60% of reviews)
Reps put sellers at ease with their upfront communication and responsiveness
Customers give We Buy Houses high praise for their exceptional communication throughout the selling process. Customers consistently highlight the company's responsiveness, clear explanations, and accessibility when questions arise, creating a sense of trust and comfort during what could otherwise be a stressful transaction.
- "Peyton is excellent he kept me informed with every step of the process"
- "No matter what I asked or how detailed I asked them to be, there were no issues with them getting back to me in a timely manner"
- "they communicated with me what seems like every day"
- "He was both friendly and professional and quite responsive to all of our emails and phone calls."
- "Matt did a great job on explaining how selling your house for cash worked"
✅ Smooth Process (56% of reviews)
Process is easy, quick, and seamless
A number of reviews commend We Buy Houses for how easy the entire home selling process was. Many sellers were in situations where they needed to sell quickly and couldn’t afford to have problems come up at the last minute. Fortunately, We Buy Houses franchisees are often experienced investors, which helps avoid unexpected surprises.
For example, home seller Yvonne told us by phone that selling her mother-in-law’s house to We Buy Houses was a seamless process and that everything was taken care of by the company.
Other sellers felt similarly:
- "I needed to sell quick with no time to fix everything up so they bought it as is"
- "the whole process took less than 10 days"
- "I was thrilled not to deal with having to do repairs and no closing cost was amazing."
- "The ease of being able to walk away without making a single repair or spending a single penny"
- The contract was simple and straightforward, and there were no inspections required on our part."
- "We sold in less than a month and got our asking price. Very efficient and professionally done."
✅ Professional and Ethical Treatment (54% of reviews)
Company is honest and transparent about the service
Many sellers said that We Buy Houses treated them professionally and were honest about the process. The company was originally founded as a way to ensure sellers could more easily identify honest and experienced investors. Local We Buy Houses investors must be experienced and well-capitalized and adhere to a code of ethics.
We Buy Houses was often upfront about the fact that selling to a cash buyer is not right for everyone. For example, Igor Avratiner of We Buy Houses Philadelphia told us, "There are cases where I'll get on the phone with somebody and we're talking and it could be depending on the price that they're looking for, it could be other factors, and I'll ask them, ‘Hey, have you thought about maybe listing with a real estate agent?’"
Honesty and straightforwardness were noted in many customer reviews. Sellers consistently said that We Buy Houses behaved ethically and took the time to listen to any concerns they had.
- "Peyton has been honest, transparent & did everything he said he would do."
- "They treated me more like family than a business transaction."
- "No pressure, no gimmick, no hidden agendas"
- "No extras were added on to the sale unless we discussed and hashed out the details."
- "I instantly felt comfortable and fairly certain they were the guys that would buy my house!"
- "They understood my concerns, they listened to my needs, and they helped me to get way more than I thought I could for my house."
✅ Hassle-free Sale (53% of reviews)
Sellers are given flexible terms to suit their situations
Many sellers come to We Buy Houses facing difficult situations, such as foreclosure or the death of a loved one. We found many reviews where sellers said that We Buy Houses investors showed compassion for their situations and were extremely flexible, such as with closing dates, cleanup, and out-of-state sales.
For example, we spoke to one seller, Yvonne O., who was located in North Carolina but helping her elderly mother-in-law sell her house in Philadelphia. She said that We Buy Houses was extremely flexible with her closing date, took care of cleaning up any clutter and unwanted items left behind, and even let her husband retrieve items from the property after her mother-in-law had moved out.
[We Buy Houses] just ran down the process and said, ‘No, it's not up to us, it's up to you, it's on your time. If you don't want to do it now you can do it later and we'll be here,’ and that's really how it was."
— Yvonne O., Mar. 2024
Several other We Buy Houses customers reported similar experiences in their online reviews:
- "He let me pick my closing date, and he also gave us 7 days to get everything out after our closing"
- "He even said we could leave behind what we didn't want and his company would haul it away for us."
- "We are renting the house until we leave and they only charged us $70 more than the mortgage"
- "Hoarders house sold as is with no delays or red tapes just cold hard cash!"
- "My mom's house needed a lot of work that I just didn't have the time for"
- "This company really saved me a lot of time, money, and stress."
✅ Competitive Offers (24% of reviews)
Offers seem fair given the circumstances
While We Buy Ugly Houses rarely offers what you could get on the open market with a real estate agent, many reviews said that the offers were fair. Sellers pointed out that investors offered reasonable prices given the challenging situations they were in, such as needing to sell a distressed property or trying to avoid foreclosure.
We Buy Houses' professionalism, flexibility, and seamless process helped customers feel even more satisfied with the offers they received.
- "Helped my elderly mom out of a hoarder home for top dollar"
- "I was surprised how much they offered me."
- "They gave us a cash offer at the end of the tour that we couldn't deny as it literally paid off all our debts and the house itself."
- "We Buy Houses made us an exceptional offer"
- "get a cash offer and avoid paying any real estate or closing fees"
- "gave us a fair price for our house"
❌ Questionable Ethics (6% of reviews)
Scattered reviews mention questionable business practices
While most home sellers have a great experience, a small handful of reviews — mostly for We Buy Houses' Memphis location — contain allegations of dishonesty, bait-and-switch tactics, and failure to honor written commitments.
- "Gave us 3 offers in writing and backed out on each one..we finally agreed on 1, then all of a sudden he said he had too many homes to look at and introduced a man as his manager, and said he would finish the rest of the paperwork..not knowing this guy didn't even work for the company"
- "E**** H****, who represents Reedy Company came out and flipped me to another company, who stole my house"
- "They relentlessly harassed my grandparents until they became ill from the stress."
- "They were not transparent at all as far as the wholesale market."
However, it's worth noting that reviews even for the Memphis office are mostly positive.
We also found some negative reviews of We Buy Houses that accuse the company of making unsolicited calls and texts. However, we suggest taking these complaints with a grain of salt. Multiple We Buy Houses franchisees said they don’t do unsolicited marketing and that they’re often confused with the many similarly named companies that do.
For example, one person complained:
If I could give zero stars I would. Calling and texting people on the Do Not Call registry nonstop is illegal and just wrong. I'll tell everyone I know about these illegal practices and to avoid this 'business.'"
— Chris M., Feb. 2024, Google
The local We Buy Houses franchise owner responded:
We are sorry you are experiencing this type of communication but we do not have you in our customer database and our company has not been reaching out to you as we only contact those who have reached out to us. Unfortunately, many companies in our industry refer to themselves as 'We Buy Houses' and with that, you reviewed the wrong company.
— WeBuyHouses.com Virginia, Feb. 2024
Because We Buy Houses is a franchise company, it is possible that some individual locations fail to adhere to the company’s ethical standards and may engage in unsolicited marketing. But given We Buy Houses’ focus on transparency and professionalism, we believe that complaints about unsolicited marketing are usually the result of consumers confusing We Buy Houses with less reputable companies.
Top We Buy Houses alternatives
We Buy Houses can be a good option if you need to sell fast or you have a distressed property. However, other cash home-buying companies may make more competitive offers or be more suitable to your particular needs.
The following competitors all purchase homes for cash and can close fast. Depending on your home's condition and location, they may offer you more money than We Buy Houses.
Customer Rating
Service Fee
Time to Close
Our take
Details
Eligibility
Clever Offers provides a hassle-free way to 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.
Pros
- One source for multiple competing offers
- Buyers are screened for experience and proven success at closing deals
- Dedicated support to ensure a smooth closing and find you other offers if needed
Cons
- Cash offer options may be limited in some areas
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%.
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
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
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We Buy Ugly Houses (also known as HomeVestors) is a good option for hard-to-sell homes. The company makes near-instant offers and it buys homes as-is, so you can walk away with zero hassle. However, with more than 1,000 offices nationwide, service quality can vary by location.
Pros
- You can typically get an offer in 24–48 hours
- Closing can happen in as little as three weeks
- Company is known for purchasing homes in any condition
Cons
- Pays significantly less than what you could net on the open market
- Service quality varies between franchises
Customer Rating
Service Fee
Time to Close
Our take
Details
Eligibility
MarketPro Homebuyers makes our list for its pricing transparency and customer service. Customers repeatedly praise its fair offers and willingness to accommodate their unique circumstances. The company offers extended close dates, mobile notaries for closing paperwork, and the ability to leave behind unwanted belongings.
Pros
- Get an offer in 24–48 hours and choose your own closing date
- Multiple customer reviews mention fair, transparent offers
- Company offers packing and moving assistance
Cons
- Pays less than what you could get on the open market
- Homeowners not interested in selling say it's difficult to get off their mailing list
» MORE: Want to find more cash buyers near you? Check out our guide to the best companies that buy houses for cash.
We Buy Houses vs. a realtor
You’ll almost certainly get more money for your house if you sell the traditional way with a real estate agent. By listing with an agent, you can attract a larger pool of potential buyers, which helps generate competition and often a higher sale price.
However, selling with a realtor takes more time if you don’t live in a hot market — although most agents can adjust their strategies to aim for a faster sale. You may also need to invest time and money in repairs to get more buyer interest, but that may not be as feasible for you as selling your house as is to We Buy Houses.
Real estate agents also charge commission on top of closing fees, while We Buy Houses doesn’t charge any fees. The average real estate commission is around 2–3% to list a house. You may also need to offer a concession to help cover the buyer’s agent commission.
However, some low commission brokerages charge a lower rate for the seller’s agent commission while still providing full service. That lower rate can help make up for the price cut you’d likely take due to your home’s condition or need to sell fast.
How does We Buy Houses work?
Getting a cash offer from We Buy Houses is fairly straightforward. Here’s how it works:
- Submit your information. You can either call your local We Buy Houses office or complete an online form with details about your home.
- Schedule an inspection. After collecting some basic information, a member of your local We Buy Houses team will reach out to gather more details about your home and schedule an in-person inspection.
- Complete an inspection. During the inspection, the We Buy Houses investor will assess your home’s overall quality and note any necessary repairs.
- Receive an offer. You’ll receive an all-cash offer often on the same day, but at most within 24–48 hours.
- Close the deal. If you accept the offer, you'll choose your closing date, which can be as fast as 72 hours, and you’ll receive the funds in your account on that date.
We Buy Houses fees and other costs
We Buy Houses doesn’t charge any fees, commissions, or closing costs. All closing costs are absorbed into the final sale price, so sellers don't have to worry about them.
It's normal for cash buyers not to charge fees. As Brett Johnson, owner of Cash For House Pro in Denver, Colorado, says, "Many reputable cash buyers refrain from charging fees or commissions and cover all closing costs."
However, iBuyers, such as Opendoor and Offerpad, do charge fees, including a service fee of around 5% on top of traditional closing costs. iBuyers typically offer a bit more than cash buyers like We Buy Houses, but those extra fees can significantly reduce how much you’ll walk away with.
Is We Buy Houses legitimate?
Yes, We Buy Houses is a legitimate cash buyer with offices in 32 states plus Washington, DC, and We Buy Houses reviews are generally positive. The company is based in Bedford, Texas, and was founded in 2012 by entrepreneur Jeremy Brandt, who wanted to create a national cash buyer brand that would help sellers identify honest and trustworthy investors.[1]
We Buy Houses sets national standards that its licensees are required to meet, making it one of the more credible cash buyer options. Before opening a new We Buy Houses company office, real estate investors are evaluated on criteria such as:
- The number of homes they’ve purchased
- Their local reputation
- Whether they have enough capital for home purchases
Licensees are also required to sign a Standard of Ethics, pledging that they’ll act honestly while dealing with customers.
We spoke to one We Buy Houses licensee who said that the company is proactive about maintaining its brand and will reach out to franchisees if there’s a complaint about a potential violation.
However, each franchise is independently owned and operated, so your experience may vary depending on which office you work with.
What kinds of homes does We Buy Houses buy?
We Buy Houses purchases almost any type of property, including single-family homes, multi-family properties, rentals, and fix-and-flips. Some locations also buy commercial properties and mobile homes.
The company is known for purchasing homes in almost any condition or in cases where the owner is facing difficult circumstances. Some of these situations include:
- Delinquent taxes and liens
- Foreclosure and missed mortgage payments
- Short sales
- Areas with high crime or depreciating value
- Probate home sales
- Structural or foundational issues
- Outdated HVAC, plumbing, or electrical systems
- Uninhabitable or distressed properties
- Problem tenants and squatters
Where is We Buy Houses available?
We Buy Houses offices are located in more than 200 cities across 32 states and the District of Columbia.
• Alabama • Arizona • California • Colorado • District of Columbia • Florida • Georgia • Idaho • Illinois • Indiana • Iowa | • Kansas • Louisiana • Maryland • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • Mississippi • Missouri • Nevada • New Jersey • New Mexico | • North Carolina • Ohio • Oklahoma • Oregon • Pennsylvania • Tennessee • Texas • Utah • Washington • West Virginia • Wisconsin |
The company is growing, with investors able to purchase an exclusive license for territories that aren’t currently covered by an existing franchise.
Bottom line: Is We Buy Houses right for you?
While you'll leave some money on the table, We Buy Houses may be worth it if you:
- Need to sell your house fast (like if you’re facing foreclosure)
- Have a property that may otherwise struggle to attract buyers, like a home in need of major repairs.
- Don’t have the time or money to invest in major renovations.
- Are in a difficult situation that makes a traditional sale impossible (such as problem tenants or a hoarding situation).
The company offers a fast and flexible closing timeline, and you won’t have to pay closing fees or real estate agent commission like you would in a traditional sale.
As Yvonne O., who helped her mother-in-law sell her home to We Buy Houses Philadelphia, told us,
"If somebody else really was interested in that process and didn’t want to go through the normal channels of the realtor or things like that, and didn’t have the time or the resources to fix up their home first before they sell it, I would definitely refer them. The process was really flawless and it was smooth and it was quick and for us that's exactly what we needed."
But if your home is in relatively good condition and you're under no particular pressure to sell, you have better options available:
- If you want to sell your home as is, but at a higher price than you'd get from an investor, you might consider an iBuyer. While most iBuyers have stricter selling criteria and added fees, iBuyers often offer more money for homes than cash investors.
- If you want to make the most on your home sale, working with a realtor who offers better-than-average commission rates is the way to go. Many discount brokers provide full service at a fraction of the cost and work on your selling timeline. They can also help you sell your home as is, signaling to buyers that you don't want to make any repairs.
- If you want the speed and certainty that a cash buyer can provide, getting competing offers from multiple cash home buyers is the best way to ensure you get a good deal. Free services like Clever Offers help you find the best offers from vetted cash buyers in your area.
Curious how much cash you could get for your home? Answer a few quick questions, and get competing offers from investors, iBuyers, and more. You can review offers without obligation and sell in as little as 7 days – with no added fees or obligation to move forward.
Frequently asked questions
Is We Buy Houses a rip-off?
We Buy Houses pays less for houses than what you can get on the open market, usually around 5070%, but this is true of most companies that buy houses for cash. In exchange, youll get a quick sale, flexible closing date, and no closing fees. If you want to sell fast for a better price, check out some of the top alternatives to We Buy Houses.
What are common complaints about We Buy Houses?
The biggest drawback of We Buy Houses is that it wont offer top dollar for your home. Like all cash buyers, it pays a lot less than what you can get on the open market. Also, because the We Buy Houses company is a franchise, the quality of service you receive can vary between locations. Check out our ratings of top cash buyers.
What is the fastest way to sell a house?
The fastest way to sell a house is through a cash buyer, like We Buy Houses, or through an iBuyer. Both can help you close in just a couple of weeks. However, they also have drawbacks. Cash buyers offer a lot less than fair market value, and iBuyers have strict criteria and are available only in select major metropolitan areas. Learn more about how to sell fast without losing money.
Who owns We Buy Houses?
The founder and CEO of We Buy Houses is Jeremy Brandt, an entrepreneur in the DallasFort Worth area. Brandt also owns other cash-offer real estate companies and is regularly featured on news networks as an expert in the real estate field. Local franchises of We Buy Houses are independently owned and operated.
Related reading
We Buy Ugly Houses Reviews: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: You might have seen "We Buy Ugly Houses" online ads, fliers, or signs around town. But what is "We Buy Ugly Houses"? Is it a scam? We created an in-depth review to help you gauge whether We Buy Ugly Houses is the right solution for your real estate transaction.
What to Know Before Selling a House in Poor Condition: Finding the right buyer can be tough if your home is in poor condition. Read our guide to learn all your options, including the fastest ways to sell and how to get the best possible offer.
Are "We Buy Houses" Companies a Rip-off? Selling your home to a "we buy houses" company can be a hassle-free solution — or a decision you might regret, depending on your specific circumstances. Learn when it make sense to accept a cash offer instead of listing your property on the open market.
Top 12 Best for Sale by Owner Websites: Wondering what the best house selling website is when you don’t have a real estate agent? In this guide, we rank the best websites for DIY home sellers, including which websites are cheapest and which offer the best value for money.
About our reviews
Our company reviews are powered by hundreds of hours of research. To evaluate and rank cash home-buying companies, we analyze thousands of online reviews across 3rd party sites including the Better Business Bureau, Consumer Affairs, Google, Trustpilot, reviews.io, Yelp, and Zillow.
In addition to tallying total review counts and average customer ratings, we conduct an AI-driven sentiment analysis across each company's review set to look for positive and negative themes related to the following core cash buyer criteria:
- Offer quality
- Service quality
- Credibility and integrity
Whenever possible, we also talk to customers, company reps, and industry professionals (such as real estate agents) who have direct experience working with the brand.