5 Top We Buy Houses for Cash Companies in Huntsville
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- 15 min read
- 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.
In Huntsville, “We Buy Houses” companies stand out by offering all-cash proposals for homes that typically require some tender loving care, which is perfect for sellers who are short on time, expertise, or funds for necessary repairs.
Whether it’s a new job that requires relocating on short notice, a financial obligation that can’t wait, an unexpected life event that demands immediate action, or the need to liquidate an inherited property quickly, these companies offer a viable solution.
Disclaimer: This post is meant to be used for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Links and mentions of Huntsville area “We Buy Houses” companies should not be considered an endorsement.
Working with house-buying companies in Huntsville
Working with house-buying companies in Huntsville offers a streamlined path to sell your home quickly, especially when you’re pressed for time or resources. Here’s how to navigate the process:
1. Find a company: Start by researching reputable “We Buy Houses” companies in Huntsville. Look for those with positive reviews and a strong presence in the local market.
2. Submit your details: Reach out to your chosen company and provide them with information about your property. This typically involves filling out a form on their website or giving them a call.
3. Receive an offer: The company will review your information and possibly conduct an on-site visit. Expect to receive a cash offer for your home shortly after.
4. Review the offer: Take some time to consider the offer. Remember, these companies usually present a no-obligation, take-it-or-leave-it deal.
5. Accept the offer: If the offer aligns with your needs, you can accept it. The company will then start the paperwork to proceed with the sale.
6. Close the sale: Closing is often quick, sometimes within a week, at a reputable local title company. You’ll receive the cash for your home soon after the paperwork is finalized.
Popular We Buy Houses for Cash companies in Huntsville
If the process of selling to a house-buying company in Huntsville 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 parents’ Craftsman or Cape. By selling to one of these companies, you can sell your Huntsville home in as little as a week or two.
We Buy Houses In Bama
We Buy Houses In Bama, owned by Jordan Woolf, is a husband-and-wife team in North Alabama. Both are named Jordan, and they provide a simple process: fill out the offer request box, and they will contact you to set up a viewing. If you accept their cash offer, they’ll handle the rest.
Locations: All surrounding areas in Alabama, including Huntsville, Madison, Athens, Decatur, Florence, and Birmingham.
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; We Buy Houses In Bama covers them.
We Buy Houses In Bama has been BBB accredited since 2021 and holds an A+ rating. We Buy Houses In Bama also holds a 5.0-star rating on Google. One review highlighted Jordan’s professionalism, friendliness, knowledge, and helpfulness throughout the process.
Website: webuyhousesinbama.com
Phone number: 256-607-4109
Local Home Buyers, Inc
Local Home Buyers, Inc., owned by Austin Cole, started in 2015. They typically make an all-cash offer within 24 hours of receiving your information. They can close as quickly as 7 days or according to your schedule, sometimes even providing a check the same day.
Locations: Huntsville and surrounding areas
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; Local Home Buyers, Inc. covers them.
Local Home Buyers, Inc. has been BBB accredited since 2019. The company has a 4.8-star rating on Google. A recent customer described their experience selling their grandmother’s estate as extremely smooth, from the offer to the closing.
Website: localhomebuyersinc.com
Phone number: 256-464-1974
Simple Sale (a HomeLight platform)
Simple Sale, a solution from HomeLight, is an online platform where sellers in Huntsville (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 Huntsville.
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 Huntsville
Closing costs: No prep costs, no agent commissions, and no 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
Madison County House Buyers
Madison County House Buyers caters to homeowners facing various challenges. After receiving your information, they typically make a fair all-cash offer within 24 hours. They can close as quickly as 7 days or according to your preferred schedule, sometimes providing a check the same day.
Locations: Madison County and nearby areas
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; Madison County House Buyers cover them.
Madison County House Buyers has a 4.9-stars on Google. One recent review appreciated the company’s care and professionalism during the property inspection. The customer also noted the company’s quick offer and their willingness to assist beyond the transaction by providing mover’s services.
Website: madisoncountyhousebuyers.com
Phone number:256-666-1256
Veritas Buyers
Veritas Buyers, owned by Cesar Garcia, is in Huntsville, Alabama. Their process begins with a free consultation. After a house tour, they typically make an offer within 24 hours. You can also reach out through their online form, with confidentiality and privacy respected.
Locations: Huntsville and nearby areas
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; Veritas Buyers covers them.
Veritas Buyers has a 5.0-star rating on Google. A recent customer described their experience as a breeze, with a seamless and straightforward process from start to finish. They appreciated the fair offer and the company’s attention to detail.
Website: veritasbuyers.com
Phone number: 256-488-4055
Why sell your Huntsville house for cash?
There are plenty of valid reasons a Huntsville home seller may choose to work with a Cash-For-Homes company, primarily for the ease of the process, speed, and the certainty of sale.
In Huntsville, it typically takes around 87 days to sell a home on the market using an agent. That includes an average of 40 days on the market plus the typical 47 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 Huntsville, 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.
The decision to sell your Huntsville home quickly can be daunting, but certain scenarios make a cash offer from a “We Buy Houses” company particularly appealing. Here’s when considering such an option could be the right move:
- Job relocation: If you’re relocating for a job and need to sell your house swiftly, a cash offer provides a quick exit strategy.
- Divorce: During a divorce, selling your home for cash can expedite the separation of assets, allowing both parties to move on faster.
- Inherited property: Dealing with an inherited home can be overwhelming. A cash sale simplifies the process, especially if you’re not local or interested in the property.
- Downsizing: For those downsizing or moving into retirement living, a quick cash sale can ease the transition without the wait of traditional market sales.
- Major repairs needed: If your home requires significant repairs and you prefer not to invest further, selling for cash means no renovation headaches.
- Avoiding open houses: For sellers who wish to bypass the disruptions of open houses and private showings, a cash offer eliminates this step.
- Foundation issues: Homes with serious foundation problems can be difficult to sell traditionally, making a cash offer more attractive.
- Facing foreclosure: A cash sale can offer a way out for homeowners facing foreclosure, helping to avoid credit damage and providing a fresh start.
- Problematic tenants: For landlords with problematic tenants, selling the property for cash offers a hassle-free way to divest.
- Selling from out of state: If you’re managing a sale from out of state, a cash
Next we’ll weigh the pros and cons of selling your home for cash, helping you to make a more informed decision.
Pros and cons of house-buying companies in Huntsville
When considering the sale of your Huntsville home to a house-buying company, speed and simplicity are the standout advantages. These companies cater to sellers looking for a quick exit, purchasing homes in any condition without the need for costly repairs or staging.
Pros:
- Quick sale: The most significant benefit is the speed of the transaction. Many companies can close within a week, allowing you to move on quickly.
- Buy as-is: These companies buy your home as-is, meaning you don’t have to spend time or money on repairs, renovations, or even cleaning up.
- No contingencies: Selling to a cash buyer typically involves fewer contingencies, reducing the risk of the sale falling through at the last minute.
- Simplicity: The process is straightforward, with fewer documents and no need for open houses, showings, or negotiations.
However, this convenience can come at a cost, primarily that you might receive an offer below market value for your property. This is often the biggest hurdle for sellers when deciding whether to proceed with a house-buying company.
Cons:
- Below market value: You are likely to be offered less than what your home could fetch on the open market, impacting your financial return.
- Limited negotiation: Offers from these companies are usually non-negotiable, leaving little room to discuss terms or price adjustments.
- Risk of scams: While many companies are legitimate, the sector is ripe for scams. It’s crucial to research thoroughly and work with reputable buyers.
- Less profit: Even accounting for the costs saved on repairs and agent fees, the lower offer might still result in less profit compared to traditional sales methods.
In the next section, we’ll guide you through assessing cash offers and ensuring you’re making a well-informed decision.
Vet cash buyers and know your home’s worth
Deciding to sell your Huntsville home to a “We Buy Houses for Cash” company means navigating a landscape where the level of integrity and service can significantly vary. The experience you’ll have largely depends on the character of the individual or group behind the offer.
Before taking any steps forward, it’s important to vet the company thoroughly. Checking online reviews, reading testimonials, and researching the company’s presence and performance in the Huntsville market can provide valuable insights into what your experience might be like.
Additionally, understanding the true value of your home is essential before committing to a cash offer. Don’t rush into signing the buying agreement without reading it carefully. Ensuring you know your home’s worth and the terms you’re agreeing to can safeguard you from potential pitfalls and ensure that the deal you’re entering is in your best interest.
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 for an initial ballpark estimate in less than two minutes.
Other options to sell your Huntsville home quickly
Exploring alternatives to traditional house-selling methods can lead to quicker sales, potentially aligning more closely with your goals and timeframe.
iBuyers: Instant buyers, or iBuyers, utilize automated valuation models (AVMs) to offer a fast, often online selling experience. Originating in the mid-2010s, iBuyers provide competitive all-cash offers for homes in decent condition, with the entire iBuyer process from offer to close taking just a few days to a couple of weeks. Note that iBuyers typically charge service fees of 5%-6%.
Listing with an Agent: While selling through house-buying companies is fast, don’t overlook the potential benefits of listing with a real estate agent, especially in seller-friendly markets. A skilled agent can secure a swift sale at a price that might exceed offers from cash-for-homes companies.
A key advantage of consulting with an agent is the comparative market analysis (CMA), which is often free and helps set a competitive listing price. Agents may also connect you with cash buyers looking for properties like yours, ensuring you make a well-informed decision. If you’re considering an agent, HomeLight can connect you with top performers in your area.
FAQs on Huntsville house-buying companies
By and large, most We Buy Houses for Cash companies in Huntsville 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 Huntsville 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 Huntsville Cape could sell for $390,000 after repairs, but it’s going to need $30,000 of work to get there.
($390,000 x .70) – $30,000 = $243,000
In this example, a Huntsville] We Buy Houses company might offer you around $243,000 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 Huntsville 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 the offer 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 is going to be the price you walk away with at the end of the deal. Of course, it’s always a good idea to flat-out ask the company if there are any hidden program fees that might impact your bottom line.
1. Research and vet the house-buying companies that serve your Huntsville 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 Huntsville vs. top Huntsville 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 Huntsville | Sell with a top Realtor in Huntsville |
Selling timeline | 7 to 30 days | 87 days average; 40 to attract an offer, 47 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 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 | 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 put together 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 Huntsville is currently worth about $385,000 and needs about $30,000 in repairs. Once the repairs are completed, the home might be worth around $415,000.
Sell to a We Buy Houses for Cash company in Huntsville | Sell with a top Realtor in Huntsville | |
Estimated sale price | ($415,000 x .70) – $30,000 = $260,500 | $385,000 |
Market preparations | 0 | $3,850 (1% of sale price) |
Agent commissions | 0 | $22,330 (5.8% of sale price) |
Closing costs | 0 | $5,775 (1.5%) |
Estimated take-home for seller | $260,500 | $353,045 |
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
- Quick sale: Selling to a house-buying company in Huntsville can significantly speed up the process, allowing you to move on quickly.
- Sell as-is: You can sell your property in its current condition, avoiding the cost and time associated with repairs or renovations.
- Simple process: The sale involves fewer steps, making it less stressful and more straightforward than traditional real estate transactions.
- Below market offer: Be prepared that the offer you receive might be less than what you could achieve on the open market.
- Know your home’s worth: Always be aware of your property’s estimated market value before you proceed with a cash-offer company.
- Research is key: Thoroughly vetting potential buyers and understanding the value of your home are crucial steps in the process.
Consulting with a top Huntsville real estate agent can provide you with expert insights on how quickly and for how much your property might sell on the open market. If you’re looking for assistance with navigating your real estate journey, let HomeLight help you connect with the resources and expertise you need to make informed decisions.
Header Image Source: (Jared Brashier/ Unsplash)