6 of the Top We Buy Houses for Cash Companies in Los Angeles

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.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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

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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