We Buy Houses Athens, TN: Top 4 Companies
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Joseph Gordon EditorJoseph Gordon is an Editor with HomeLight. He has several years of experience reporting on the commercial real estate and insurance industries.
Working with a We Buy Houses company might be a smart option if you need to sell your Athens home fast. These companies offer all-cash deals for homes, often in as-is condition, allowing you to skip costly repairs or updates.
A cash sale can be especially appealing if you’re in a situation where time is a factor. Whether you’re facing an unexpected event or simply need to move quickly, selling to a house-buying company can provide the financial relief to move on with your plans.
In this guide, we’ll cover the pros and cons of working with We Buy Houses companies in Athens, helping you weigh your options and make an informed decision about your home sale.
Sell Your House Fast in Athens With a Cash Offer
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Disclaimer: This post is meant to be used for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Links and mentions of Athens area “We Buy Houses” companies should not be considered an endorsement.
Working with house-buying companies in Athens
When you need to sell your Athens home quickly, working with a house-buying company can be a straightforward process. These companies typically follow a simple and predictable process. Here’s an overview of the basic steps involved.
1. Contact the company: Find a We Buy Houses company, either online or by phone, and provide basic information about your property.
2. Schedule a home evaluation: A representative will visit your property to assess its condition and gather details to make an offer.
3. Receive a cash offer: After evaluating your home, the company will present a no-obligation, all-cash offer, usually within 24 to 48 hours.
4. Review and accept the offer: Take time to consider the offer. If you accept, the company will move forward with the paperwork.
5. Close the sale: Once everything is in order, you’ll close the sale, typically within a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on your schedule.
6. Receive your payment: After closing, you’ll receive your cash payment, and the company takes ownership of the home.
Popular We Buy Houses for Cash companies in Athens
If the process of selling to a house-buying company in Athens 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’ Ranch style or Craftsman. By selling to one of these companies, you should be able to sell your Athens home in as little as a week or two.
TN Homebuyers
TN HomeBuyers, established in 2002, will buy houses from sellers, offering cash offers and flexible closing dates. The company specializes in buying various types of residential real estate, including single-family houses, condos, townhouses, and multifamily houses.
Locations: All over Tennessee.
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; TN HomeBuyers will cover them.
TN HomeBuyers has been BBB accredited since 2004 and holds an A+ rating and an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars.
Website: 299cash.com
Phone number: 615-299-5525
Simple Sale (a HomeLight platform)
Simple Sale, a solution from HomeLight, is an online platform where sellers in Athens (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 Athens.
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 Athens
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
New Horizon Home Buyers
New Horizon Home Buyers purchase homes nationwide, regardless of condition. After filling out a short form on its website, the company will present you with a cash offer. Offers can be received in as little as seven days.
Locations: All over the United States, including Tennessee.
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; New Horizon Home Buyers will cover them.
New Horizon Home Buyers has been BBB accredited since 2020 and holds an A+ rating. On Google, clients give the company an average of 4.9 stars.
Website: newhorizonhomebuyers.com
Phone number: 423-509-8393
Integrity House Buyers
Integrity House Buyers, based in Clarksville, caters to homeowners seeking solutions for various situations, including foreclosure or burdensome properties. They buy houses directly, paying cash and closing quickly without fees or commissions, regardless of the property’s condition.
Locations: Statewide
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; Integrity House Buyers structures an offer so there are no out-of-pocket expenses.
Integrity House Buyers has been BBB accredited since 2022 and holds an A+ rating. On Google, they hold a 4.8-star rating and garner praise for their exceptional service.
Website: buyerswithintegrity.com
Phone number: 931-213-6951
Why sell your Athens house for cash?
Is selling your Athens homes for cash the right move for you? If you value a fast transaction, a near-guaranteed sale, and a simple process, it’s worth considering. Let’s look at how it stacks up to selling a home on the traditional market.
In Athens, it typically takes around 93 days to sell a home on the market using an agent. That includes an average of 50 days on the market plus the typical 43 days a buyer needs to close on a purchase loan.
Compare that to the typical seven to ten days promised by many house-buying companies in Athens, 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.
Selling your Athens home for cash can be a great solution when life throws unexpected challenges your way. Here are some common scenarios where a cash sale may be the right choice.
- Job relocation: If you need to move quickly for your new job, a cash sale can help you avoid the delays of a traditional listing.
- Divorce: Divorce situations can often require a quick sale, and a cash buyer can make the process less stressful.
- Inherited property: If you’ve inherited a house and don’t want to manage its upkeep, selling to a house-buying company could be a convenient option.
- Downsizing: When downsizing, cash buyers allow you to sell without the hassle of prepping the home for sale.
- Repairs: If your home needs significant repairs, a cash buyer can take it off your hands without requiring you to invest in fixing it up first.
- Open houses: You can avoid the stress of preparing for open houses and frequent showings by selling directly to a cash-for-homes company.
- Foundation issues: Homes with foundation problems can be hard to sell traditionally, but cash buyers are usually more flexible.
- Facing foreclosure: If you’re facing foreclosure, selling for cash can help you avoid worsening your financial situation.
- Problem tenants: Cash buyers can make it easier to sell your rental property, even if you have tenants in place.
- Selling from out of state: If you own property in Athens but live elsewhere, selling from out of state to a cash buyer is often the easiest way to finalize the sale.
Pros and cons of house-buying companies in Athens
Working with a house-buying company in Athens offers both advantages and disadvantages. Whether speed and convenience are your top priorities or you’re hoping for a high return, it’s essential to understand both sides before deciding. Let’s start by looking at some key benefits of working with these companies.
Selling your house to a house-buying company in Athens has major advantages like speed and flexibility. These companies buy homes as-is, meaning you won’t need to make repairs or prepare your house for sale. Here are some of the biggest benefits.
- Fast sale: House-buying companies can close in as little as a week, providing quick financial relief when you need to sell fast.
- No repairs: You can sell your home in any condition, even if it needs major repairs, without worrying about fixing anything.
- No showings or staging: Skip the hassle of preparing your home for open houses, showings, and staging, which can be time-consuming and stressful.
- Simple closing process: With no contingencies or drawn-out negotiations, the closing process is typically much quicker and easier than a traditional sale.
While the speed and convenience of working with a house-buying company are appealing, there are significant drawbacks to consider. The most notable is that you’ll likely receive below market value for your home compared to selling with a real estate agent. Here are other potential downsides.
- Lower offer: These companies typically offer less than your home’s market value, which means you may walk away with less money than you would from a traditional sale.
- Potential for scams: Some scams target vulnerable sellers, so it’s crucial to vet companies carefully before proceeding with a sale.
- Limited buyer competition: You only receive one offer from the company, so you miss out on the opportunity to receive competitive bids from multiple buyers.
- Less flexibility with timing: While quick, the closing date is often set by the company, giving you less control over the timing of the sale.
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
When working with a We Buy Houses for Cash company in Athens, the integrity and service you receive can vary based on the person or group making the offer. To ensure a smooth and trustworthy process, here are a few tips:
- Check reviews: Look for online reviews and testimonials from other homeowners who have sold to the company to gauge its reputation.
- Research the company: Investigate how long the company has been in business and its standing in the local market.
- Read the agreement: Review the buying agreement carefully to understand all terms and conditions before you sign.
- Verify legitimacy: Confirm the company is legitimate and not part of a scam by checking for accreditation and licenses.
HomeLight suggests you consult with an experienced local agent to get a better idea of 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 Athens home quickly
iBuyers
iBuyers like Opendoor and Offerpad use automated valuation models (AVMs) to generate fast, all-cash offers for homes in good condition. The iBuyer process is mostly online and can close in as little as two weeks. However, they charge fees of 5%-6%, making them best for sellers with well-maintained homes.
Listing with an agent
While house-buying companies offer speed, listing with a top agent can result in a higher sale price, especially in a strong market. A top agent can provide a comparative market analysis (CMA) to estimate your home’s value, and many offer CMAs often for free. If you’d like to explore this option, HomeLight can connect you with a top-performing agent.
FAQs on Athens house-buying companies
By and large, most We Buy Houses for Cash companies in Athens 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 Athens 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 Athens [common type of house in the region] 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, a Athens 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 a Athens 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 Athens 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 Athens vs. top Athens 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 Athens | Sell with a top Realtor in Athens |
| Selling timeline | 7 to 30 days | 93 days average; 50 to attract an offer, 43 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 Athens is worth about $475,000 and needs about $25,000 in repairs. Once the repairs are completed, the home might be worth around $500,000.
| Sell to a We Buy Houses for Cash company in Athens | Sell with a top Realtor in Athens | |
| Estimated sale price | ($500,000 x .70) – $25,000 = $325,000 | $475,000 |
| Market preparations | 0 | $4,750 (1% of sale price) |
| Agent commissions | 0 | $14,250 (3%* of sale price) |
| Closing costs | 0 | $7,125 (1.5%) |
| Estimated take-home for seller | $325,000 | $448,875 |
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
- Fast sale: Selling to a cash-for-homes company allows you to sell quickly, often closing within a week or two.
- No repairs needed: You can sell your home in as-is condition without making any repairs or upgrades.
- Less hassle: Skip the stress of showings, open houses, and staging by opting for a cash sale.
- Lower offers: Be aware that cash offers are typically lower than market value, which could impact your final profit.
- 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 Athens agent.
Header Image Source: (James Anthony/ Pexels)
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