We Buy Houses Alaska: Top 4 Companies
- Published on
- 15 min read
-
Joseph Gordon EditorClose
Joseph Gordon EditorJoseph Gordon is an Editor with HomeLight. He has several years of experience reporting on the commercial real estate and insurance industries.
If you’re selling your property and need to do so quickly, you might want to consider a cash sale. We Buy Houses companies in Alaska make all-cash offers for homes, regardless of the property’s condition. This enables sellers who are short on time or the money for repairs to sell in a matter of days, not months.
This can be great for homeowners who might need to relocate for new employment or those grappling with an unexpected inherited Alaska property and need to settle an estate. Sellers facing foreclosure can also find relief by selling for cash.
If you need to sell your Alaska home fast, a We Buy Houses for Cash company could be the best solution. However, before you request a cash offer, it’s important to understand how much an Alaska house-buying company might offer for your home and weigh your options. Our easy-to-follow guide will walk you through the process and explain how it works.
Sell Your House Fast in Alaska With a Cash Offer
Get an all-cash, no-obligation offer through HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform whenever you’re ready. Receive your offer in 24 hours and close in as few as 10 days. No showings, no repairs, no open houses. Available to sellers throughout Alaska.
Disclaimer: This post is meant to be used for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Links and mentions of Alaska area “We Buy Houses” companies should not be considered an endorsement.
Working with house-buying companies in Alaska
Selling your Alaska home to a house-buying company can be a quick and straightforward process, designed for homeowners who need to sell fast without dealing with repairs or showings. Here’s how the process typically works, broken down into simple steps:
1. Contact the company: Reach out to a local house-buying company, usually through their website or by phone, to share basic details about your property.
2. Schedule a home evaluation: The company will arrange a time to assess your home’s condition, either through a quick walkthrough or a virtual consultation.
3. Receive a cash offer: After evaluating your home, the company will present you with a no-obligation cash offer, typically within 24-48 hours.
4. Review and accept the offer: If the offer works for you, sign the agreement to move forward with the sale.
5. Complete the closing process: The company handles the paperwork and works with a title company to finalize the sale, often within a few days.
6. Get your cash payment: Once the sale is complete, you’ll receive your cash payment and can move on to your next plans.
Popular We Buy Houses for Cash companies in Alaska
If the process of selling to a house-buying company in Alaska sounds good to you, it’s time to find a legitimate operation you can trust.
We’ve compiled some of the top companies that will pay cash for your or your parents’ log home or cabin. By selling to one of these companies, you should be able to sell your Alaska home in as little as a week or two.
We Buy Ugly Houses/HomeVestors
We Buy Ugly Houses, also known as HomeVestors, is a nationwide house-buying company that’s been in business for more than 25 years. It has franchises throughout the country, including Anchorage and its surrounding cities.
Locations: Anchorage, AK
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; HomeVestors covers them.
HomeVestors has a 4.7-star rating on Google reviews and holds an A+ rating with the BBB but is not accredited.
Website: webuyuglyhouses.com/ak/anchorage
Phone: 866-949-2985
Simple Sale (a HomeLight platform)
Simple Sale, a solution from HomeLight, is an online platform where sellers in Alaska (and across the country) can request a cash offer for their home. Simple Sale connects you to the largest network of cash buyers in the U.S. 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 different locations throughout Alaska.
With Simple Sale, you can get a no-obligation, 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 Alaska
Closing costs: No prep costs, agent commissions, or fees charged by HomeLight. Individual investor fees may vary.
Simple Sale is a HomeLight platform. HomeLight was founded in 2012 and is BBB-accredited with an A+ rating. The company has 4.8 stars on Google based on hundreds of user reviews. 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.
Learn more: homelight.com/simple
Phone: 844-488-8455
Stewardship Properties
Stewardship Properties, founded in 1989, focuses on providing win-win solutions for property sellers, communities, and lenders. It focuses on upgrading distressed properties into affordable housing while fostering positive impacts for all stakeholders.
Locations: Several states in the US, including Alaska
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; Stewardship Properties covers them.
Stewardship Properties holds a 4.2 Google rating.
Website: stewardshipproperties.com/alaska
Phone: 1-855-808-5208
HouseCashin
HouseCashin is dedicated to helping homeowners sell their houses quickly and efficiently. They buy homes in any condition for cash, eliminating the need for agent commissions, closing costs, and repair costs. HouseCashin can close on a property in as little as three to 30 days.
Locations: Nationwide, including Alaska
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; HouseCashin covers them
HouseCashin holds a 4.7-star rating on Google.
Website: housecashin.com/ak
Phone: 281-612-5261
Why sell your Alaska house for cash?
There are plenty of valid reasons an Alaska home seller may choose to work with a Cash-For-Homes company. Speed, certainty, and remarkable convenience lead the list.
In Alaska, it typically takes around 73 days to sell a home on the market using an agent. That includes an average of 28 days on the market plus the typical 45 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 Alaska, 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 common scenarios where Alaska homeowners might benefit from selling to a house-buying company:
- Job relocation: You need to sell your home quickly to move for a new job opportunity.
- Divorce: A fast sale can simplify the division of assets during a divorce.
- Inherited property: You’ve inherited a house and want to sell immediately to avoid managing an inherited property.
- Downsizing: You’re moving to a smaller home or a retirement community and want to sell without the headaches of the open market..
- Repairs needed: Your home requires major repairs that you can’t afford or don’t have time to handle.
- Avoiding open houses: You want to skip the effort of prepping your home and hosting open houses.
- Foundation issues: You can’t afford to address a myriad of foundation problems and it’s cheaper and easier to sell for cash.
- Facing foreclosure: A quick sale can help you settle your debts and avoid the lasting effects of foreclosure.
- Tenants: You’re tired of managing renters or a problem tenant in your rental property.
- Selling from out of state: Living elsewhere makes it easier to sell your home through an out-of-state process.
Pros and cons of house-buying companies in Alaska
Working with a house-buying company in Alaska has several upsides, including the ability to sell your house quickly and in as-is condition without needing repairs or staging. However, these companies often offer below market value for your property. Here are some of the biggest pros and cons to keep in mind:
Pros of house-buying companies
House-buying companies make the process of selling your home simple. Here are the main benefits:
- Quick sale: These companies specialize in fast closings, often completing the sale within days or weeks, perfect for urgent situations.
- Buy in as-is condition: They purchase homes as-is, saving you from costly repairs or upgrades.
- No staging or showings: Skip the hassle of prepping your home for open houses or multiple showings.
- No contingencies: These companies typically make cash offers without the delays of contingencies, streamlining the process.
Cons of house-buying companies
While the process is convenient, there are significant downsides to selling your Alaska home to a house-buying company.
- Below market value: Offers are typically below market value, meaning you might receive less than you would through a traditional sale.
- Limited negotiation: These offers are usually non-negotiable, leaving you with a “take it or leave it” situation.
- Potential for scams: Some companies operate unethically or engage in scams, so it’s crucial to research thoroughly.
- Less transparency: Without an agent, you may lack insights into your home’s actual market value or other selling options.
Curious What Your Home Is Worth?
Get a near-instant real estate house price estimate from HomeLight for free. Our tool analyzes the records of recently sold homes near you, your home’s last sale price, and other market trends to provide a preliminary range of value in under two minutes.
Vet cash buyers and know your home’s worth
The level of service and integrity you experience from a We Buy Houses for Cash company in Alaska can vary widely. Before accepting an offer, follow these steps to protect your interests:
- Check reviews and testimonials: Look up online reviews and customer testimonials to gauge other sellers’ experiences with the company.
- Research market presence: Investigate how long the company has been operating in Alaska and its reputation for delivering on promises.
- Compare offers: Reach out to multiple companies to compare offers and terms for a better understanding of your options.
- Read the agreement carefully: Review the buying agreement thoroughly to ensure you understand the terms and avoid hidden fees or unfavorable conditions.
HomeLight suggests you consult with an experienced local agent to better understand what your home might be worth if sold on the open market. Then, compare your cash offer. HomeLight can connect you with a top-performing agent in your market. You can also use HomeLight’s Home Value Estimator to get an initial ballpark estimate in less than two minutes.
Other options to sell your Alaska home quickly
If you’re exploring fast-sale alternatives, here are two options beyond working with a cash-for-homes company:
iBuyers: Companies like Opendoor and Offerpad offer a streamlined, mostly online process using automated valuation models. They provide all-cash offers, often closer to market value, for homes in good condition.
The process is quick, typically taking a few days to two weeks, but service fees of 5%-6% may apply. Learn more about the iBuyer process.
Listing with an agent: Working with a top agent can still result in a fast sale, especially in a seller’s market. Agents provide tools like a comparative market analysis — often free — to help you price your home strategically. An agent may even connect you with cash buyers for a higher price. If you’re interested, HomeLight can connect you with a top-performing agent in your area.
FAQs on Alaska house-buying companies
By and large, most We Buy Houses for Cash companies in Alaska 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 legit.
That said, as with any financial transaction, it’s a good idea to be on the 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 Better Business Bureau website. Watch for anything that just doesn’t seem right.
As described in our pros and cons list above, most Alaska We Buy Houses for Cash companies apply the 70% rule, meaning they’ll offer you about 70% of your home’s after-repair value minus 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 Alaska log home could sell for $350,000 after repairs, but it will need $30,000 of work to get there.
($350,000 x .70) – $30,000 = $215,000
In this example, an Alaska We Buy Houses company might offer you around $215,000 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 an Alaska We Buy Houses for Cash company, you will likely be coming to grips with a double-edged sword. On the one side, it shouldn’t cost you any additional money because these companies make an offer and handle almost everything once it is accepted. Conversely, 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 will be the price you walk away with at the end of the deal. Of course, asking the company if any hidden program fees might impact your bottom line is always a good idea.
1. Research and vet the house-buying companies that serve your Alaska area. Our list above is a good place to start.
2. Submit offer requests to a few of the companies you like best.
3. Schedule any required on-site property visits.
4. Compare offers. Weigh the pros and cons and choose the best option for you.
5. 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 Alaska vs. top Alaska 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 glance 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 Alaska | Sell with a top Realtor in Alaska |
| Selling timeline | 7 to 30 days | 73 days average; 28 to attract an offer, 45 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 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%-5.8% average |
| Closing costs | None | 1% to 3% of the home sale price on top of agent commission |
Example net proceeds
Below, we’ve compiled 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 home in Alaska is worth about $450,000 and needs about $25,000 in repairs. Once the repairs are completed, the home might be worth around $475,000.
| Sell to a We Buy Houses for Cash company in Alaska | Sell with a top Realtor in Alaska | |
| Estimated sale price | ($475,000 x .70) – $25,000 = $307,500 | $450,000 |
| Market preparations | 0 | $4,500 (1% of sale price) |
| Agent commissions | 0 | $13,500 (3%) |
| Closing costs | 0 | $6,750 (1.5%) |
| Estimated take-home for seller | $307,500 | $425,250 |
As this example illustrates, financially, it’s usually in your best interest to partner with an experienced real estate agent.
However, net proceeds are not the only consideration when selling a home. What’s best in your situation will depend on the condition of your property, what level of repairs are 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
When deciding whether to sell your Alaska home to a Cash-For-Homes company, keep these key points in mind:
- Speed and convenience: Cash-for-homes companies offer quick closings and eliminate the need for repairs, making them ideal for urgent situations.
- Lower offers: Expect an offer that’s often below market value, as these companies aim to profit from reselling your home.
- As-is sales: You can sell your home without making repairs, staging, or preparing it for showings.
- Varied experiences: The level of integrity and service can vary, so research and vet any company you’re considering.
- Alternatives available: iBuyers and top agents offer other fast-sale solutions that might better fit your needs and goals.
- Know your home’s worth: Always be aware of your property’s estimated market value before you proceed with a cash-offer company.
At HomeLight, we’re happy to lend a guiding hand in navigating your real estate journey. Let us help you make an informed and confident decision, whether you’re looking for a no-obligation cash offer through a trusted platform like Simple Sale or seeking to consult with a top Alaska agent.
Header Image Source: (Marcel Sulborski/ Unsplash)
At HomeLight, our vision is a world where every real estate transaction is simple, certain, and satisfying. Therefore, we promote strict editorial integrity in each of our posts.
