6 of the Top We Buy Houses for Cash Companies in Los Angeles
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- 15 min read
- Evelyn Waugh, Contributing AuthorCloseEvelyn Waugh Contributing Author
Evelyn Waugh is a writer based in Portland, Maine. She's covered real estate, modern interior design, home goods, and consumer trends for various outlets, including Portland Monthly Magazine and the Chicago Tribune.
- Kelsey Morrison, Former HomeLight EditorCloseKelsey Morrison Former HomeLight Editor
Kelsey Morrison worked as an editor for HomeLight's Resource Centers. She has seven years of editorial experience in the real estate and lifestyle spaces. She previously worked as a commerce editor for World of Good Brands (eHow.com and Cuteness.com) and as an associate editor for Livabl.com. Kelsey holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec, and lives in a small mountain town in Southern California.
Several Los Angeles homeowners sometimes find themselves in situations where a quick property sale is the only option. Maybe you’ve been offered a new job out of the city, or you’re facing an unexpected financial crunch. Sometimes, life doesn’t leave enough time to prepare, and when you need to sell your house fast, it can be a real challenge. Luckily, you can partner with We Buy Houses companies in Los Angeles to make the process smoother and help you get through it quicker.
These businesses make all-cash offers to sellers who lack the time, expertise, and money to prepare their properties. With their solutions, you can move quickly and receive the cash proceeds sooner when you need it.
However, before you request a cash offer, it’s important to understand how much an LA house-buying company might offer for your home and consider your options. Once you’re familiar with the process, you can opt to select a company on our list of top contenders and get moving.
Disclaimer: This post is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Links and mentions of Los Angeles area “We Buy Houses” companies should not be considered endorsements.
Working with house-buying companies in Los Angeles
We Buy Houses companies in Los Angeles typically promise to give home sellers quick, convenient all-cash offers and exceptionally speedy closings, often wrapping up the property sale in as few as seven days. These house-buying companies have polished their processes to help sellers who need to move ASAP and tend to target distressed homes in need of repairs.
Here’s how the process generally works:
- Contact the company: Find a reputable house-buying company in LA and provide them with details of your property.
- Schedule an evaluation: The company will schedule a time to visit your home and assess its condition and value.
- Receive an offer: After the evaluation, the company will present you with a cash offer, typically within 24 to 48 hours.
- Accept the offer: If you agree to the terms, you will accept the cash offer and proceed with the sale.
- Close the deal: The company will handle the necessary paperwork and coordinate the closing process, often within a few weeks.
- Receive your payment: At closing, you will receive the agreed-upon cash amount, and the transaction is complete.
Popular We Buy Houses for Cash companies in Los Angeles
If the process of selling to a house-buying company in LA sounds good to you, it’s time to find a legitimate operation you can trust.
We’ve compiled a list of some of the top companies that will pay cash for your parents’ California bungalow or Tudor cottage. By selling to one of these companies, you should be able to sell your Los Angeles home in as little as a week or two.
Note: Individual program details frequently change. Please visit the company’s website for the most up-to-date information. HomeLight always recommends doing your own research to determine which selling option is best for your situation.
SoCal Home Buyers
Founded by husband-and-wife team Doug and Andrea Van Soest in 2011, SoCal Home Buyers is a professional real estate investment company that buys all types of houses—fixer-uppers, inherited properties, turnkey homes, and more—in every condition. It even works with sellers facing foreclosure. The company boasts the ability to close in as few as seven days while also offering more flexible 10- to 30-day closing windows.
Doug and Andrea Van Soest were inspired to start their first business after reading the book Rich Dad, Poor Dad. Before they began flipping homes, they owned a kettle corn business. Their business plans changed, but their guiding principles remained. SoCal Home Buyers aims to be a “reliable, trustworthy, home-selling solution,” and has brought more than 500 hassle-free sales to closing.
Locations: Headquartered in Riverside County, SoCal Home Buyers also buys homes in San Bernardino County, Los Angeles County, Orange County, and San Diego County.
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; SoCal Home Buyers covers them.
Founded in 2011, SoCal Home Buyers has been accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) since 2018 with an A+ rating. It has an impressive 4.8-star average on Google.
Customers appreciated the easy, quick sale process, which was beneficial for those selling out of state. Others noted the fair offers and the way the team delivered on their promises. The majority of customers said they would recommend SoCal Home Buyers to friends and family planning to sell their homes.
Website: socalhomebuyers.com/los-angeles
Phone: 951-331-3844
Simple Sale (a HomeLight platform)
Simple Sale, a solution from HomeLight, is an online platform where sellers in Los Angeles and across the country can request a cash offer for their home. It connects you to the largest network of cash buyers in the US, and partner investors have a wide range of investment strategies, including fix-and-flip and buy-and-hold.
This enables Simple Sale to provide cash offers for a wide array of properties, even those that need some or a lot of work, in locations throughout Los Angeles.
With Simple Sale, you can get an all-cash offer in 24 hours and sell your home in as few as 10 days, skipping the months it can take to sell the traditional way.
Locations: Nationwide, including Los Angeles
Closing costs: No prep costs, no agent commissions, and no fees charged by HomeLight. Individual investor fees may vary.
Simple Sale is a platform by HomeLight, a real estate solutions company founded in 2012. The firm is BBB-accredited with an A+ rating.
Based on hundreds of reviews, the company has 4.8 stars on Google. Below, you can hear about how Baohan Wu, a seller who used Simple Sale to sell his high-rise apartment, closed within three and a half weeks and what he thought of the process overall.
Website: homelight.com/simple
Phone: 844-488-8455
Tarek Buys Houses
Founded in 2017 by HGTV star Tarek El Moussa, Tarek Buys Houses offers to purchase outdated or distressed homes and turn your house into cash in as few as seven days. It assists clients in finding and securing financing for their next home through its partnership with US Lending.
Locations: Throughout Southern California, with featured markets including Orange County and Los Angeles County
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; Tarek Buys Houses covers them.
Tarek Buys Houses has been BBB accredited since 2021 and has an A+ rating. Its Google Business Profile has more than 60 reviews and generated a high 4.6-star rating.
Customer reviews showed the numerous homes bought for cash from people who were burdened by the home and in a bind: homes of aging relatives moved into care, inherited homes, unwanted condos, unaffordable homes after losses of income, and more. Clients expressed a painless cash sale process and clear, step-by-step communication.
Website: tarekbuyshouses.com
Phone: 866-419-4117
Mrs. Property Solutions
Founded in 2016, Mrs. Property Solutions buys LA homes for cash in seven days, or on the seller’s timeline. It buys houses in any condition — rooms packed with clutter, asphalt cracking, you name it — enabling sellers to complete the sale quickly. The company strives to facilitate a low-hassle sales process, exhibit adaptiveness, and offer personal touches to clients.
Among the ways Mrs. Property Solutions brings transparency to the quick cash sale process is by letting sellers in on the formula investors use to calculate the offer price. The team lays out the process, showing clients their home sale numbers.
Locations: Headquartered in Redondo Beach, Mrs. Property Solutions expanded to provide fast cash sales in all California markets.
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; Mrs. Property Solutions covers them.
Mrs. Property Solutions has earned a perfect 5-star Google rating, reflecting the kind of customer service the company offers. Customers mentioned the team’s friendly and authentic attitude in facilitating cash sales. Reviewers expressed satisfaction with their strong follow-through, transparency, and flexible closing dates.
Website: mrspropertysolutions.com
Phone: 323-402-5845
We Buy Los Angeles
Founded in 2021, We Buy Los Angeles specializes in providing cash offers for “burdensome homes,” like that home you inherited in a state you don’t live in, or your starter home that’s keeping you tethered in LA, when you just got a job offer in Cleveland. It makes an offer for properties in as little as seven minutes over the phone. That means you won’t need to clean, or even empty out the fridge.
Locations: Headquartered in Beverly Hills, the company buys homes for cash in Los Angeles and surrounding counties.
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; We Buy Los Angeles covers them.
We Buy Los Angeles has been BBB accredited since 2021 and has an A+ rating. Its Google Business Profile has an average rating of 4.9 stars. Customer reviews mention sellers’ satisfaction with the cash offers received and the knowledge and personability that We Buy Los Angeles brings to the table. In particular, reviews expressed how deftly and quickly the company was able to take a burdensome home situation and turn it into a speedy, fair cash sale.
Website: webuyla.com
Phone: 323-576-7224
John Medina Buys Houses
John Medina Buys Houses, founded in 2014, is a San Pedro-based homebuying company focused on fast, simple transactions. It advertises no fees and an easy, stress-free transaction process. Owners John and Yvette Medina are in the business of fixing and flipping houses, which means they’ll buy your home in disrepair for cash and flip it for a profit. Among the company’s core qualities listed are integrity and excellent customer service.
Locations: Los Angeles and throughout California
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; John Medina Buys Houses covers them.
John Medina Buys Houses has been BBB accredited since 2015 and has an A+ rating. On Google, the company has earned a high 4.7 rating. Customers commended the team’s professionalism and knowledge, which make selling homes for cash an efficient process.
Additionally, previous clients expressed feeling comfortable throughout the transaction because of the staff’s ongoing and thorough communication. Many reviews cited the easy transaction process, from initial consultation through closing.
Website: johnmedinabuyshouses.com
Phone: 310-928-9688
Why sell your Los Angeles house for cash?
There are plenty of valid reasons a Los Angeles home seller may choose to work with a cash-for-homes company. Leading the list are the benefits of speed, certainty, and remarkable convenience.
In Los Angeles, it typically takes about 88 days to sell a home on the market using an agent. That includes an average of 44 days on the market, plus the typical 44 days a buyer needs to close on a purchase loan.
Compare that to the typical seven to 10 days promised by many house-buying companies in LA, and it’s clear why these cash-for-homes groups are an attractive option, even though they don’t always offer top-dollar for the homes they purchase.
Here are some of the most common reasons homeowners choose to sell their homes for cash:
- Job relocation: You need to move quickly for a new job and can’t wait for a traditional home sale.
- Divorce: You want to quickly divide assets and move on with your life.
- Inherited property: You’ve inherited a house and prefer a quick sale to dealing with maintenance or renting.
- Downsizing: You’re looking to move into a smaller home or a retirement community without the hassle of prepping and showing your current home.
- Repairs needed: Your home is in poor condition, requiring significant repairs that you can’t afford or don’t want to manage.
- Open house stress: You prefer to avoid the inconvenience of multiple showings and open houses.
- Foundation issues: Your home has structural problems, making it less attractive to traditional buyers.
- Foreclosure: You’re facing foreclosure and need to sell quickly to settle your debts.
- Problem tenants: You’re a landlord tired of managing tenants and want to sell your rental property quickly.
- Out-of-state sale: You own a property in LA but live elsewhere and want the ease of a fast, remote sale.
If you are a homeowner facing any of these circumstances, requesting a cash offer from a We Buy Houses company might be a good option to consider. However, it’s prudent to think of this as a starting point in your search for solutions. You won’t know if it’s your best move until you know more about other options available to you, which we’ll help you review in a minute.
Pros and cons of house-buying companies in Los Angeles
One of the biggest advantages of working with We Buy Houses for Cash companies in LA is that you can sell your home as-is with no repairs required, and they’ll buy homes in any condition.
If your home was severely damaged in a weather event, or you’ve fallen years behind on routine maintenance, you can still sell without needing to make the extensive repairs that financed buyers may require.
Here are some other pros to consider:
Pros to We Buy Houses for Cash in Los Angeles
- Speedy transaction: You can typically sell your house in as few as seven to 10 days, providing a quick solution for urgent situations.
- As-is sale: Companies will buy your house as-is, meaning no repairs or cleaning are required before the sale.
- Sure deal: These companies offer firm cash deals with few or no contingencies, ensuring a smoother, more predictable process.
- Convenient transaction: Skip the hassle of showings, open houses, and negotiations, making the sale process much easier and less stressful.
Cons to We Buy Houses for Cash in Los Angeles
The most significant con of selling to a house-buying company is that they will likely offer below market value for your home compared to selling on the market with an experienced real estate agent. Here are some of the key drawbacks:
- Lower offers: Expect offers to be lower than what you might receive on the open market.
- Potential for scams: Be cautious of scams and dishonest companies. Always vet your buyers.
- Limited negotiation: There’s typically little to no room for negotiating the price.
- No agent expertise: You miss out on the professional guidance and market knowledge that a real estate agent provides.
Your home is more than a place where you make memories with family. It’s also likely your biggest asset. Sure, you want to sell quickly, but you could be leaving major money on the table if you don’t exhaust all selling approaches.
Always do your research, compare your options, and consult with a trusted advisor before accepting any offer.
Vet cash buyers and know your home’s worth
For many home sellers, We Buy Houses for Cash companies can be a solid solution to sell your property quickly or access cash for an expected life challenge. On the other hand, the “cash for your home” rehabbing business model has also led to what some housing advocates call predatory tactics.
The level of integrity and customer service you experience can vary, even within an established house-buying company that strives to maintain consistent business standards. This is because many We Buy Houses for Cash companies are franchises and often use independent investors or local wholesaling outfits. Your experience greatly depends on the character of the person or group making the offer.
If you are considering a cash offer, vet the company thoroughly. Check reviews, read testimonials, and research its presence and performance in the market. And, of course, read the buying agreement carefully before signing.
Get a home value estimate
Before committing to a We Buy Houses for Cash company, HomeLight suggests you consult with a top agent to get a better idea of what your home might be worth if sold on the open market. Then compare cash offers to what a top agent might be able to get for your home.
HomeLight can connect you with a top-performing agent in Los Angeles. Also, try our free home value estimator right now to get an initial ballpark estimate in less than two minutes.
Other options to sell your home quickly
iBuyers
Instant buyers or iBuyers use automated valuation models (AVMs) to offer near-instant home value estimates. They provide a mostly online experience, offering all-cash deals typically closer to market value for homes in good condition.
The process from offer to closing is quick, usually within a few days to two weeks. However, iBuyer companies like Opendoor and Offerpad charge service fees of 5% to 6%.
Listing with an agent
Listing with a top real estate agent can also result in a fast sale, especially in a seller-friendly market. An agent can provide a comparative market analysis (CMA), which helps determine an appropriate listing price and estimate the time to sell. Many agents offer CMAs, often free.
Partnering with a proven agent can yield the highest selling price and they may even connect you with buyers offering cash closer to market value. If you are interested in exploring the agent option, HomeLight can connect you with a top-performing real estate agent in your area today.
FAQs on Los Angeles house-buying companies
By and large, most We Buy Houses for Cash companies are legitimate businesses. Their services and transaction fees may differ, but the business model has been around for decades. If you use an established group with a track record, you can be fairly confident that it’s legitimate.
That said, as with any financial transaction, it’s a good idea to be on alert for scams. Always research companies before you sign a contract. Check customer reviews, look at their online presence, verify professional licenses, get a referral if possible, and vet the company on the BBB website. Watch for anything that just doesn’t seem right.
Most We Buy Houses for Cash companies apply the 70% rule, meaning they’ll offer you about 70% of your home’s after-repair value (ARV) and then deduct their estimated repair costs.
Here’s an example of what a simplified formula might look like:
(Your home’s ARV x .70) – repair costs
To see how this might work in a real-world scenario, let’s take a look at an example offer equation. Let’s say your Palmdale bungalow could sell for $510,000 after repairs, but it’s going to need $30,000 of work to get there.
($510,000 x .70) – $30,000 = $327,000
In this example, a Los Angeles We Buy Houses company might offer you about $327,000 for your home.
However, different types of house-buying companies will offer varying amounts for homes. As mentioned previously, iBuyers tend to pay more than We Buy Houses companies because iBuyers look for homes in better condition. An iBuyer might pay you 90% or more of market value while charging a fee for their services.
When you accept an offer from a We Buy Houses for Cash company, you likely will be coming to grips with a two-edged sword. On one side, it shouldn’t cost you any additional money because these companies make an offer and handle almost everything once the offer is accepted. On the other side, you’ll likely get less money overall for your home.
Because We Buy Houses for Cash companies tend to focus on distressed homes, they typically have zero fees. Many will even cover your closing costs. In most cases, this means that the cash offer you receive is going to be the price you walk away with at the end of the deal. Of course, it’s always a good idea to ask the company if there are any hidden program fees that might affect your bottom line.
- Research and vet the house-buying companies that serve your area. Our list above is a good place to start.
- Submit offer requests to a few of the companies you like best.
- Schedule any required on-site property visits.
- Compare offers. Consider the pros and cons and choose the best option for you.
- Close the sale in a week to 30 days and get paid. Some companies will let you choose a closing date up to 90 days after accepting the offer, which can be helpful when planning a move.
We Buy Houses for Cash in Los Angeles vs. top Los Angeles agent
Another helpful exercise is to compare how a We Buy Houses for Cash company might stack up against working with a real estate agent. Let’s take a look at how different aspects of the sale might look, and compare possible proceeds.
Aspect of the sale | Sell to a We Buy Houses for Cash company in Los Angeles | Sell with a top Realtor® in Los Angeles |
Selling timeline | 7 to 30 days | 88 days average; 44 to attract an offer, 44 to close the loan |
Home preparations | None | Deep clean, declutter, make necessary repairs, landscape, stage home |
Showings | None | 10 to 25 showings average |
Inspections / repairs | None | May need to make additional repairs for the buyer or renegotiate the price |
Appraisal | None | May need to lower your asking price if the appraisal comes in low |
Title search | Cash-for-homes companies often handle title issues | Must clear the title before you can sell the home |
Financing contingency | None | Mortgaged buyers use a financing contingency that could hold up the deal if the buyer’s loan doesn’t clear |
Agent commission | None | 3% to 5.8% of the home’s sale price |
Closing costs | None | 1% to 3% of the home’s sale price on top of agent commission |
Example net proceeds
Below, we’ve put together one example of how net proceeds may differ between selling a home to a We Buy Houses for Cash company and an agent-assisted sale.
Let’s say your condo in Downtown LA is currently worth about $970,000 and needs about $25,000 in repairs. Once the repairs are completed, the condo might be worth about $995,000.
Sell to a We Buy Houses for Cash company in Los Angeles | Sell with a top Realtor in Los Angeles | |
Estimated sale price | ($995,000 x .70) – $25,000 = $671,500 | $970,000 |
Market preparations | 0 | $9,700 (1% of the sale price) |
Agent commissions | 0 | $29,100 (3% of the sale price) |
Closing costs | 0 | $14,550 (1.5%) |
Estimated take-home for seller | $671,500 | $916,650 |
As this example illustrates, it’s usually in your best financial interest to partner with an experienced real estate agent. However, net proceeds are not the only consideration when selling a home.
What’s best for your situation will depend on the condition of your property, the level of repairs needed, and your selling objectives. It could be that selling on the open market will be a challenge in your area, or the agent timeline might not fit your immediate needs.
Key takeaways
- We Buy Houses for Cash companies in Los Angeles enable you to conveniently sell your home in as few as seven days with no repairs, open houses, or showings.
- There are a number of reputable cash-for-homes companies serving Los Angeles, but it’s important to vet each potential partner carefully to ensure they align with your selling objectives and needs.
- Using a We Buy Houses company could mean leaving a significant amount of money on the table compared to an agent-assisted or iBuyer sale.
- HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform provides no-obligation, all-cash offers for homes in almost any condition in Los Angeles — and nationwide. Because the platform has partner investors with different buying parameters across the region, it can be a great starting point if you aren’t sure who would buy your home.
House-buying companies can be a good alternative for Los Angeles sellers in need of a quick home sale, but it’s important to consider both the benefits and drawbacks. When it comes to selling your home, it’s wise to avoid making any hasty decisions.
Before committing to a cash-for-homes company, gather multiple offers and take the time to weigh your options. Consider consulting with a top agent for expert insights on how soon and for how much your property might sell on the market. Whatever you decide, HomeLight would be happy to help with your real estate needs.
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