We Buy Houses Calera: Top 5 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.
We Buy Houses companies in Calera make all-cash offers for homes regardless of the condition, giving sellers who lack the time, expertise, or money for repairs to sell their property quickly—often in a matter of days.
Sometimes life gets in the way. Maybe you are forced to relocate for a new job, or you’re trying to stave off a pending foreclosure. Perhaps you are dealing with an unexpected inheritance from out of state, and you just want to get rid of the property.
Whatever the reason, when you need to sell your Calera home quickly, a We Buy Houses for Cash company is a great alternative to the traditional market.
Our guide will give you an understanding of how these companies work, what you can expect, some local We Buy Houses companies in your area, who they are best suited for, and some alternatives worth considering.
Sell Your House Fast in Calera 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 Calera area “We Buy Houses” companies should not be considered an endorsement.
Working with house-buying companies in Calera
We Buy Houses companies in Calera offer convenient all-cash offers and extremely fast closings, letting you sell your home in a matter of days, sometimes even the same day.
Here’s how the process generally works:
- Reach out to a company: Contact a reputable house-buying company in Calera and provide basic details about your home.
- Schedule a property visit: The company will usually schedule a walkthrough to assess your home’s condition and confirm the details you provided.
- Receive a cash offer: After evaluating your property, the company will present a no-obligation cash offer.
- Review the offer: Take time to consider the offer and decide if it aligns with your goals and needs.
- Sign the agreement: If you accept the offer, sign the purchase agreement to move forward.
- Close and get paid: Closing can happen in as little as a few days, after which you’ll receive your cash payment.
Popular We Buy Houses for Cash companies in Calera
If the process of selling to a house-buying company in Calera 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 and Victorian. By selling to one of these companies, you should be able to sell your Calera home in as little as a week or two.
Birmingham Homebuyers LLC
Birmingham Homebuyers has been helping property owners in Birmingham, Alabama, since 2018, offering cash, as-is offers on houses, land, and apartment buildings. Sellers can close on their own timeline and leave behind unwanted items, making it a stress-free experience.
Locations: Birmingham and Huntsville, Alabama, and surrounding areas, including Calera
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; Birmingham Homebuyers covers them.
Birmingham Homebuyers, BBB accredited since 2016 with an A+ rating, has a 4.6-star Google review score.
Website: cashforhousesbham.com
Phone number: 205-502-2161
Simple Sale (a HomeLight platform)
Simple Sale, a solution from HomeLight, is an online platform where sellers in Calera (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 Calera.
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 Calera
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
We Buy Houses
WeBuyHouses.com was founded in 1997 and buys houses in 200 markets and 30 states in any condition. According to their website, they have been trusted by 1 million homeowners and can present a cash offer even if the homeowner is behind on their mortgage or facing foreclosure.
Locations: Nationwide, including Calera
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; WeBuyHouses.com covers them
WeBuyHouses.com has been BBB accredited since August 2020 and has an A+ rating.
Website: webuyhouses.com/AL/Calera
Phone number: 205-304-0032
River Region Home Buyers
River Region Home Buyers, a family-owned company in Prattville, Alabama, buys all types of real estate statewide, including homes, condos, and land. They offer fair cash deals after receiving basic property details, with closings in as little as five to seven days. You choose the closing date, and if cash isn’t ideal, they’ll help explore other solutions tailored to your needs.
Locations: Statewide, including Calera
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; River Region Home Buyers cover them.
River Region Home Buyers, though not BBB-accredited, holds an A+ rating and a 5-star Google score.
Website: riverregionhomebuyers.com
Phone number: 334-554-3129
Yellowhammer Home Buyers
Yellowhammer Home Buyers, owned by Brandon Hardiman, is a Huntsville-based company purchasing homes As-Is for cash. They operate across Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Florida, offering convenient solutions for sellers throughout the Southeast.
Locations: Serves Alabama and surrounding areas
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; Yellowhammer Home Buyers cover them.
Yellowhammer Home Buyers, BBB-accredited since 2023 with an A rating, holds a 5.0-star Google rating from over 30 reviews.
Website: yellowhammerhomebuyers.com
Phone number: 256-795-3014
Why sell your Calera house for cash?
Why sell your Calera home for cash? Often, homeowners using these companies need to sell quickly, unable to wait for their home to change hands on the open market.
In Calera, it typically takes around 81 days to sell a home on the market using an agent. That includes an average of 37 days on the market plus the typical 44 days a buyer needs to close on a purchase loan.
Below are common scenarios where a cash offer could be the right fit:
- Job relocation: Moving quickly for a new job opportunity often requires a fast and hassle-free home sale.
- Divorce: Simplify the division of assets during a divorce with a quick cash sale.
- Inherited property: Selling an inherited home can save you from the burden of maintenance and repairs.
- Downsizing: A cash sale can make it easier to transition to a smaller home or a retirement community.
- Costly repairs: Avoid spending money on major home repairs by selling as-is.
- Avoiding open houses: Skip the inconvenience and lack of privacy associated with hosting open houses.
- Foundation problems: A cash buyer can purchase your home even if it has foundation issues.
- Facing foreclosure: Selling for cash may help you avoid foreclosure and move forward with your finances.
- Difficult tenants: Let go of the stress of managing tenants in your rental property by selling for cash.
- Selling from out of state: A cash sale allows you to sell your home from a distance without handling logistics in person.
Pros and cons of house-buying companies in Calera
House-buying companies in Calera can be a great option for homeowners needing a fast sale. These companies buy homes in as-is condition, allowing you to skip repairs, staging, and the uncertainty of traditional listings. Here are the key pros and cons worth considering:
Pros of house-buying companies
House-buying companies prioritize speed and simplicity, often closing deals in days. You don’t need to clean, stage, or handle any repairs, making them ideal for urgent or challenging situations. Here’s a quick summary of the benefits:
- Fast closing times: Many cash buyers close within a week, letting you sell your home and move forward quickly.
- Sell as-is: House-buying companies will purchase your home in as-is condition, saving you the time and expense of repairs or improvements.
- No showings or open houses: Skip the inconvenience and privacy concerns of hosting showings or open houses.
- Few or no contingencies: Cash buyers often make offers without contingencies, reducing the risk of the deal falling through.
Cons of house-buying companies
The biggest downside is that house-buying companies typically pay below market value for homes. While the speed is attractive, you may lose out on significant equity. Here are the main drawbacks:
- Lower offers: These companies will pay significantly less than what your home could sell for on the open market.
- Limited negotiation: Offers are usually take-it-or-leave-it, with little flexibility to adjust the terms.
- Potential scams: Some buyers may operate unethically, so watch out for scams or questionable practices.
- No competitive market exposure: Selling to a cash buyer means bypassing traditional marketing that might attract higher offers from buyers.
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 integrity and service you experience from a We Buy Houses for Cash company can vary, even within an established house-buying group that strives to maintain high standards. This is because many Cash-For-Homes companies are franchises and often use independent investors or wholesaling outfits. Your experience depends on the character of the person or group making the offer.
Before committing to 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.
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 Calera home quickly
If a house-buying company doesn’t feel like the right fit, you may consider other fast-sale options, such as working with iBuyers or listing with an agent.
iBuyers
iBuyers, such as Opendoor and Offerpad, provide all-cash offers through automated valuation models that quickly estimate your home’s worth. These companies offer convenience with a streamlined, mostly online process and faster closings—often within a few days to two weeks. While iBuyers typically pay closer to market value than traditional house-buying companies, they often charge service fees of 5%-6%. iBuyers are ideal for homes in good condition in areas with uniform housing.
Listing with an agent
Partnering with a top-performing real estate agent can result in a fast sale, especially if your home is priced strategically and located in a seller-friendly market. Agents often provide a comparative market analysis (CMA) to help you set the right price. A CMA is often free and evaluates your property against similar homes in the area. Plus, agents may connect you with buyers willing to offer cash closer to market value. If you decide to sell traditionally, HomeLight can connect you with a top agent in your area.
FAQs on Calera house-buying companies
By and large, most We Buy Houses for Cash companies in Calera 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 Calera 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 Calera Ranch could sell for $268,000 after repairs, but it will need $30,000 of work to get there.
($268,000 x .70) – $30,000 = $157,600
In this example, a Calera We Buy Houses company might offer you around $157,600 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 Calera 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.
- Research and vet the house-buying companies that serve your Calera 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. Weigh 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 Calera vs. top Calera 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 Calera | Sell with a top Realtor in Calera |
| Selling timeline | 7 to 30 days | 81 days average; 37 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 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 Calera is worth about $260,000 and needs about $25,000 in repairs. Once the repairs are completed, the home might be worth around $285,000.
| Sell to a We Buy Houses for Cash company in Calera | Sell with a top Realtor in Calera | |
| Estimated sale price | ($285,000 x .70) – $25,000 = $174,500 | $260,000 |
| Market preparations | 0 | $2,600 (1% of sale price) |
| Agent commissions | 0 | $7,800 (3%) |
| Closing costs | 0 | $3,900 (1.5%) |
| Estimated take-home for seller | $174,500 | $245,700 |
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 and convenient: House-buying companies in Calera offer a quick, hassle-free option, often closing in just days and purchasing your home as-is.
- Lower offers: Expect to receive less than market value, as these companies prioritize speed and simplicity over maximizing your profit.
- iBuyers are an alternative: If your home is in good condition, an iBuyer might pay closer to market value while still providing speed and convenience.
- Agents can maximize profit: Listing with a top real estate agent can help you achieve a higher sale price, especially in a favorable market.
- Do your homework: Research offers, understand fees, and ensure you’re working with a reputable company or professional to avoid scams and pitfalls.
- 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 Calera agent.
Header Image Source: (Pixabay / Pexels)
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