We Buy Houses Citrus Heights: Top 5 Companies
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Joseph Gordon EditorCloseJoseph Gordon Editor
Joseph Gordon is an Editor with HomeLight. He has several years of experience reporting on the commercial real estate and insurance industries.
If you’re considering selling your Citrus Heights home, you may have come across We Buy Houses for cash companies in Citrus Heights. These companies offer cash for homes, especially those needing repairs or updates. If you’re a homeowner who doesn’t have the time or resources to tackle renovations, a cash sale can be an easy way to sell your property.
In the event that you need to sell your home quickly, perhaps due to an unwanted inheritance or a sudden job relocation, “We Buy Houses for Cash” companies in Citrus Heights can be a good alternative to the traditional market.
With this in mind, we’ll explore the pros and cons of working with these companies, show you how they work, and provide you with a list of companies to consider.
Disclaimer: This post is meant to be used for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Links and mentions of Citrus Heights area “We Buy Houses” companies should not be considered an endorsement.
Working with house-buying companies in Citrus Heights
Selling your home in Citrus Heights to a house-buying company can be a fast and efficient process, especially when you’re in need of a quick sale. In other words, it’s a great way to move your property fast. Here’s a look at the basic steps you’ll typically follow when working with a cash-for-homes company.
- Contact a company: Reach out to a We Buy Houses company to share details about your property.
- Schedule a home evaluation: The company will send a representative to inspect your home and assess its condition.
- Receive a cash offer: After the evaluation, the company will present a cash offer, often within 24-48 hours.
- Review the offer: Take time to consider the take-it-or-leave-it cash offer, understanding that there’s little room for negotiation.
- Sign the agreement: If you accept the offer, you’ll sign a purchase agreement to proceed.
- Close the sale: After completing the paperwork, the sale closes, and you’ll receive your payment, usually within a few days to a week.
Popular We Buy Houses for Cash companies in Citrus Heights
If the process of selling to a house-buying company in Citrus Heights 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’ Contemporary house or California bungalow. By selling to one of these companies, you should be able to sell your Citrus Heights home in as little as a week or two.
Rework Cash Offers
Rework Cash Offers buys and renovates houses all over the Sacramento area. For sellers who can’t move until they sell, Rework Cash Offers provides rent-back options wherein the company buys your house and then rents it back to you so you have the cash and the time you need to move to your next home.
Locations: Sacramento area, including Citrus Heights
Closing costs: You pay no closing costs; Rework Cash Offers cover them.
Rework Cash Offers has an A+ rating from the BBB and has been accredited since 2022. The company holds a 5-star rating on Google.
Website: www.reworkcashoffers.com
Phone: 916-866-3327
Simple Sale (a HomeLight platform)
Simple Sale, a solution from HomeLight, is an online platform where sellers in Citrus Heights (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 Citrus Heights.
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 Citrus Heights
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
Laurel Buys Houses
Laurel Buys Houses offers a stress-free alternative to selling a house without the added fees of a traditional realtor. The company will buy your house in any condition and make an offer that works on your timeline, often in a matter of days.
Locations: Sacramento area, including Citrus Heights
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; Laurel Buys Houses covers them.
Laurel Buys Houses has been BBB accredited since 2017 and holds an A+ rating. The company also has a 4.7-star rating on Google.
Website: www.laurelbuyshouses.com
Phone: 916-476-2381
Fast Home Buyer California
Fast Home Buyer California focuses on purchasing properties for cash throughout the state. It prides itself on ethical, professional business practices, treating clients respectfully and transparently.
Locations: California, including Sacramento
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; Fast Home Buyer California covers them.
Customer Google reviews for Fast Home Buyer California attest to the company’s professionalism, efficiency, and knowledgeable team. They are also BBB accredited with an A+ rating.
Website: fasthomebuyercalifornia.com
Phone: 916-235-3805
Sell Quick California, LLC
Sell Quick California buys homes in any condition, with no repairs or cleaning required. If you’re overwhelmed with clutter or your home is in complete disarray, Sell Quick California will take the burden off your hands.
Locations: All of California, including Desert Hot Springs
Closing costs: You pay no closing costs; Sell Quick California covers them.
Sell Quick California maintains a perfect 5-star rating on Google. Sell Quick California has also been accredited with the Better Business Bureau since 2019 and has an A+ rating.
Website: sellquickcalifornia.com
Phone: 1-866-497-8248
Why sell your Citrus Heights house for cash?
If you are in a situation that requires selling your home as quickly as possible, you might be interested in a “We Buy Houses for Cash” company in Citrus Heights, but unsure why it’s a good option. In truth, it’s a strong substitute for selling via traditional means, as the process can be completed much more quickly.
In Citrus Heights, it typically takes around 57 days to sell a home on the market using an agent. That includes an average of 14 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 10 days promised by many house-buying companies in Citrus Heights, 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.
While it may be true that you can make more money selling via a real estate agent, sometimes a cash sale is exactly what you need. Here are some common scenarios where selling for cash might make sense.
- Job relocation: If you’re moving for work and need to sell quickly, a cash offer lets you close the sale fast without delays.
- Divorce: In the process of divorce, selling for cash can speed up the division of assets and simplify the separation.
- Inherited property: If you’ve inherited a home you don’t plan to keep, selling for cash avoids the hassle of preparing it for the market.
- Downsizing: If you’re moving to a smaller home, a cash sale could help you transition quickly without the stress of multiple showings.
- Costly repairs: When your home needs extensive repairs, selling for cash can eliminate the financial burden and effort of fixing it before selling.
- Avoiding open houses: If you don’t want the stress of hosting multiple open houses, a cash sale allows you to skip that step entirely.
- Foundation issues: Selling a home with foundation problems can be difficult on the traditional market, but cash buyers will often take it as-is.
- Facing foreclosure: A fast cash sale can help you avoid foreclosure and the damage it does to your credit.
- Problematic tenants: If you’re tired of managing rental property or dealing with difficult tenants, a cash sale offers a quick exit.
- Selling from out of state: If you own a property in another state, a cash buyer can save you from making costly trips to handle the sale in person.
Pros and cons of house-buying companies in Citrus Heights
When considering selling to a house-buying company in Citrus Heights, it’s important to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of this option. Below, we’ll outline the main pros and cons so you can get a clearer picture of what to expect.
Pros of selling to a house-buying company
One of the biggest advantages of working with a house-buying company is speed. For one thing, these companies will buy your home in as-is condition without requiring repairs or any preparation. Here’s a quick summary of the key benefits:
- Speed of sale: Cash buyers can often close within days or a week, offering a much faster process compared to traditional sales.
- No repairs needed: You can sell your home as-is, which means you don’t have to spend time or money on fixing anything before the sale.
- No open houses or showings: Skip the hassle of preparing your home for showings or managing multiple open houses.
- No contingencies: A cash sale usually comes with fewer or no contingencies, reducing the risk of delays or cancellations.
Cons of selling to a house-buying company
Another key point to consider is that selling to a house-buying company will likely result in a lower offer than what you’d get on the open market. These companies typically pay below market value. Here’s a summary of the drawbacks to consider:
- Lower sale price: You’ll often receive less money compared to what your home could sell for on the open market with a real estate agent.
- Potential for scams: You need to be cautious of scams in the cash-for-homes industry, as not all companies are reputable.
- Limited offers: Most companies provide a take-it-or-leave-it cash offer with no room for negotiation.
- No competitive bidding: Without putting your home on the market, you miss out on the chance for multiple buyers to drive up the price.
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 Citrus Heights home quickly
iBuyers
iBuyers like Opendoor and Offerpad use automated valuation models (AVMs) to provide fast, all-cash offers, typically for homes in good condition. The iBuyer process is mostly online and can close in a few days to two weeks. However, iBuyers often charge 5%-6% service fees, making them best for sellers with homes in uniform housing markets.
Listing with an agent
While house-buying companies are great for speed, don’t overlook listing with an agent if you’re in a seller-friendly market. A top agent can offer a comparative market analysis (CMA), often free, which helps set the best price. If you decide to sell traditionally, HomeLight’s data shows top agents can sell homes for up to 10% more. HomeLight can connect you with a proven professional to explore this option.
FAQs on Citrus Heights house-buying companies
By and large, most We Buy Houses for Cash companies in Citrus Heights 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 Citrus Heights 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 Citrus Heights California bungalow could sell for $500,000 after repairs, but it will need $30,000 of work to get there.
($500,000 x .70) – $30,000 = $320,000
In this example, a Citrus Heights We Buy Houses company might offer you around $320,000 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 Citrus Heights 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 Citrus Heights 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 Citrus Heights vs. top Citrus Heights 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 Citrus Heights | Sell with a top Realtor in Citrus Heights |
Selling timeline | 7 to 30 days | 57 days average; 14 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 Citrus Heights is worth about $500,000 and needs about $25,000 in repairs. Once the repairs are completed, the home might be worth around $525,000.
Sell to a We Buy Houses for Cash company in Citrus Heights | Sell with a top Realtor in Citrus Heights | |
Estimated sale price | ($525,000 x .70) – $25,000 = $342,500 | $500,000 |
Market preparations | 0 | $5,000 (1% of sale price) |
Agent commissions | 0 | $15,000 (3%) |
Closing costs | 0 | $7,500 (1.5%) |
Estimated take-home for seller | $342,500 | $472,500 |
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
- Speed of sale: Cash-for-homes companies can close deals quickly, often within a week, making them ideal for urgent situations.
- No repairs needed: You can sell your home as-is, skipping costly repairs or upgrades.
- Convenience: You avoid the hassle of open houses, showings, and negotiating with multiple buyers.
- Lower sale price: Cash offers are typically below market value, which could mean leaving money on the table compared to a traditional sale.
- Limited negotiation: Most cash-for-homes companies present take-it-or-leave-it offers with little room for changes.
Header Image Sources: (felixtm / Depositphotos)