We Buy Houses Erie, PA: Top 4 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 an Erie homeowner looking to sell your property fast, a We Buy Houses company in Erie, PA could be the answer you need. These companies make straightforward, all-cash offers, even for homes needing repairs or updates.
Selling to a cash buyer is ideal when you’re in a pinch—this could be due to a sudden job relocation, an out-of-state property inheritance, or a pending foreclosure.
In this post, we’ll walk you through the pros and cons of selling to an Erie house-buying company, explain how the process works, and give you some alternatives if you want to go with a different approach.
Disclaimer: This post is meant to be used for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Links and mentions of Erie area “We Buy Houses” companies should not be considered an endorsement.
Working with house-buying companies in Erie
Working with a house-buying company in Erie is designed to be a simple, straightforward process that can get cash in your hands quickly. Here’s how it works:
- Contact a company: Reach out to a few Erie-based house-buying companies to share details about your home and your reason for selling.
- Schedule a home visit: After learning more about your property, the company will likely schedule a walkthrough to assess the condition and any necessary repairs.
- Receive an offer: Based on the property condition and market conditions, the company will provide a take-it-or-leave-it cash offer for your home.
- Review the terms: Carefully read through the terms of the offer, including any fees, timelines, and as-is sale conditions.
- Accept the offer: If the offer works for you, let the company know you’re ready to move forward with the sale.
- Close the sale: With an accepted offer, you’ll proceed to a fast closing, often within a week or two, and receive your payment in cash.
Popular We Buy Houses for Cash companies in Erie
If the process of selling to a house-buying company in Erie 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’ French Norman or Tudor Revival. By selling to one of these companies, you should be able to sell your Erie home in as little as a week or two.
717 Home Buyers
717 Home Buyers, a family-owned real estate solutions company in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, is led by owner Joshua Eberly. Submit your information through their website, and they’ll respond (typically within 24 hours) with a call to discuss options best suited to your situation.
Locations: throughout Pennsylvania, including Erie
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; 717 Home Buyers cover them.
717 Home Buyers, BBB-accredited with an A+ rating since 2021, holds a 4.8-star rating on Google from over 70 reviews.
Website: 717homebuyers.com/sell-your-house/erie
Phone number: 717-639-2164
Simple Sale (a HomeLight platform)
Simple Sale, a solution from HomeLight, is an online platform where sellers in Erie (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 Erie.
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 Erie
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, Erie
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 Erie
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/pa/Erie
Phone number: 877-932-8946
Freedom Sky Real Estate
Freedom Sky Real Estate, a family-owned company in Erie, PA, was founded by Steve Szumigale. As a full-service professional home buyer, they provide real estate solutions across Pennsylvania.
Locations: Pennsylvania and surrounding areas, including Erie
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; Freedom Sky Real Estate covers them.
Freedom Sky Real Estate, BBB-accredited with an A+ rating since 2019, holds a 5.0-star rating on Google.
Website: freedomsky.com
Phone number: 814-208-9894
Why sell your Erie house for cash?
If you’ve never sold a home before, you might be curious as to why someone would want to sell their home for cash. The main reason is that typically, the seller needs to sell their home immediately, without any fear of the sale falling through. Convenience is another reason. When compared to selling on the open market, selling a home for cash is considerably faster.
In Erie, it typically takes around 75 days to sell a home on the market using an agent. That includes an average of 31 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 Erie, 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 a cash sale might provide the best solution for your situation.
- Job relocation: You’re relocating for a new job and need a quick sale to ease the transition.
- Divorce: Going through a divorce and wanting to settle shared assets without the drawn-out process of listing on the market.
- Inherited property: You’ve inherited a home you don’t plan to keep and need to simplify the sale.
- Downsizing: You’re downsizing and don’t want the hassle of open houses or showings.
- Repairs needed: Your home requires major repairs, and you lack the funds or time to complete them.
- Avoiding open houses: You prefer to skip open houses and endless showings, aiming for a faster, private sale.
- Foundation issues: You’re dealing with foundation issues that might deter traditional buyers.
- Facing foreclosure: A cash sale can help you avoid or manage foreclosure if you’re struggling with mortgage payments.
- Tenant complications: You’re selling a rental with tenants still in place and don’t want the complexity of evictions.
- Selling from out of state: You live out of state and need an easy way to sell your Erie property.
Pros and cons of house-buying companies in Erie
House-buying companies in Erie can be a great fit if you need a fast sale and want to skip the hassle of repairs. Here’s a quick look at the main pros and cons of selling to one of these companies.
Selling to a cash buyer offers two major advantages: speed and simplicity. Most house-buying companies will purchase your home as-is, meaning there’s no need for repairs or showings. Here’s a breakdown of the top benefits.
- Fast closing: Cash sales often close within a week or two, letting you avoid the lengthy traditional sale process.
- No repairs needed: You won’t have to invest in fixing or updating your home, which can save both time and money.
- Certainty of sale: Cash buyers eliminate contingencies, reducing the risk of a deal falling through.
- Minimal preparation: Skip the cleaning and staging; house-buying companies will purchase your home without requiring any preparations.
The main drawback of selling to a house-buying company is the likelihood of a lower offer. These companies often pay below market value, which may not appeal to sellers who want to maximize their proceeds. Here are some additional cons to consider.
- Lower sale price: Cash buyers generally offer less than what you’d receive by listing with an agent, impacting your total profit.
- Limited buyer competition: Without multiple offers, you may miss out on a higher price that competition among buyers can bring.
- Potential scams: Some cash-buying companies may not be legitimate, so watch out for scams or unclear terms.
- Little room for negotiation: Offers are often presented as non-negotiable, so you’ll need to decide quickly to accept or decline.
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 Erie home quickly
iBuyers: iBuyers, or instant buyers, use automated valuation models to provide near-instant cash offers. They specialize in fast, mostly online transactions for homes in good condition and typically close within days to two weeks. While iBuyers like Opendoor and Offerpad may offer closer to market value, they often charge 5%-6% in service fees. Learn about the iBuyer process.
Listing with an agent: In a seller-friendly market, partnering with a top real estate agent can help you achieve a quick sale while maximizing your home’s price. Agents provide a comparative market analysis (CMA) to set a competitive price, often for free. If you’re interested in exploring this option, HomeLight can connect you with a top-performing agent.
FAQs on Erie house-buying companies
By and large, most We Buy Houses for Cash companies in Erie 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 Erie 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 Erie Tudor Revival could sell for $209,000 after repairs, but it will need $20,000 of work to get there.
($209,000 x .70) – $20,000 = $126,300
In this example, an Erie We Buy Houses company might offer you around $126,300 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 Erie 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 Erie 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 Erie vs. top Erie 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 Erie | Sell with a top Realtor in Erie |
Selling timeline | 7 to 30 days | 75 days average; 31 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 Erie is worth about $209,000 and needs about $20,000 in repairs. Once the repairs are completed, the home might be worth around $229,000.
Sell to a We Buy Houses for Cash company in Erie | Sell with a top Realtor in Erie | |
Estimated sale price | ($229,000 x .70) – $20,000 = $140,300 | $209,000 |
Market preparations | 0 | $2,090 (1% of sale price) |
Agent commissions | 0 | $6,270 (3% of sale price) |
Closing costs | 0 | $3,135 (1.5%) |
Estimated take-home for seller | $140,300 | $197,505 |
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: Selling to a Cash-For-Homes company can offer a quick, hassle-free sale, allowing you to skip repairs, staging, and showings.
- Lower sale price: Cash offers from house-buying companies in Erie are often below market value, so you may sacrifice some profit for the convenience of a quick sale.
- No repairs needed: Cash buyers purchase homes as-is, so you won’t need to spend time or money on renovations or updates.
- Limited buyer flexibility: Offers from house-buying companies are generally non-negotiable, which can limit your flexibility compared to a traditional market sale.
- 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 Erie agent.
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