6 Top We Buy Houses for Cash Companies in Melbourne, Florida
- Published on
- 15 min read
-
Dwayne Vega, Contributing AuthorClose
Dwayne Vega Contributing AuthorDwayne Vega is a freelance writer with a specialization in real estate content. He works closely with B2C and B2B companies providing useful and engaging content that converts viewers into clients. When he isn’t writing for work, you can find him reading and writing for his ongoing MFA in Creative Writing.
-
Richard Haddad, Executive EditorClose
Richard Haddad Executive EditorRichard Haddad is the executive editor of HomeLight.com. He works with an experienced content team that oversees the company’s blog featuring in-depth articles about the home buying and selling process, homeownership news, home care and design tips, and related real estate trends. Previously, he served as an editor and content producer for World Company, Gannett, and Western News & Info, where he also served as news director and director of internet operations.
We Buy Houses companies in Melbourne, Florida, make all-cash offers for homes that often need some work, enabling sellers who lack the time, expertise, and money for repairs to move quickly and receive the cash proceeds from their home sooner if they need it.
Perhaps you need a fast home sale to start a new job. Or maybe you’re facing a major financial deadline or an unexpected health change and need to move right away. Or you may be working with a truncated timeline to cash out an inherited Melbourne property to settle an estate.
If you need to sell your Melbourne home quickly, a We Buy Houses for Cash company could be the best solution. However, before you request a cash offer, it’s important to understand how much a Melbourne house-buying company might offer for your home and then consider your options. Once you’re familiar with the process, you can opt to select a company on our list of some of the top contenders and get moving.
Need to Sell Your House Fast in Melbourne?
Get an all-cash, no-obligation offer through HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform whenever you’re ready. Receive your offer in 24 hours and close in as little as 10 days. No showings, no repairs, no open houses. Available to sellers in Florida.
Disclaimer: This post is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Links and mentions of Melbourne “We Buy Houses” companies should not be considered endorsements.
Working with house-buying companies in Melbourne
We Buy Houses companies in Melbourne typically promise to give home sellers quick, convenient all-cash offers, and exceptionally speedy closings, often wrapping up the property sale in as few as seven days. These house-buying companies have polished their processes to help sellers who need to move ASAP, and tend to target distressed homes in need of repairs.
Here’s how the process generally works:
- You request an all-cash offer. The company will ask you to provide information about your house and property. Some We Buy Houses groups will make a preliminary offer shortly after you submit the request. However, the initial offer typically is subject to change after they have inspected your home.
- The company performs a walk-through. This on-site property visit typically is completed within 24 to 48 hours. The timeframe may vary depending on the company and market.
- You receive a firm offer. Your official cash offer typically is received within 24 hours of the on-site visit, but can sometimes be presented at the end of the walk-through. At this point, you can accept or decline the offer. The majority of house-buying companies do not negotiate. They usually present a take-it-or-leave-it sale price.
- If you accept the offer, you’ll both sign a sales contract. With a signed sales agreement, the closing process will begin. Some house-buying companies initially will provide a large deposit or funds to assist the seller with moving costs. Others will pay for the property upfront.
- Close the sale and get paid quickly. We Buy Houses companies typically can close your home sale within seven days to a few weeks. This can vary by company, and sellers who work with a house-buying company often enjoy flexibility in selecting a move-out date that works for them.
Note: Individual program details frequently change. Please visit a company’s website for the most up-to-date information on each program’s fees, market coverage, business model, and more. HomeLight always recommends doing your own research to determine which selling option is best for your situation.
Popular We Buy Houses for Cash companies in Melbourne
If these benefits of selling to a house-buying company in Melbourne sound 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 parent’s Craftsman or bungalow. By selling to one of these companies, you should be able to sell your Melbourne home in as little as a week or two.
Meridian Trust
Meridian Trust is part of the PropertyForce’s ecosystem of real estate companies. The company is based out of Florida and focuses on buying and rehabbing homes in Florida, Georgia, and Alabama to create a positive impact on the communities and markets in which they do business.
The company has been around for more than 15 years, employs almost 100 people, and has helped thousands of customers dealing with problem properties. They specialize in buying a wide range of properties, including single-family homes, multi-family homes, and apartment buildings.
Locations: Florida, including Melbourne, and Georgia and Alabama
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; Meridian Trust covers them.
Meridian Trust has been accredited with the Better Business Bureau since 2012 and has an A+ rating. The company has a 4.5-stars rating on Google reviews, and customers say they appreciate fair prices, friendliness, and professionalism of its agents. Reviewers convey appreciation for this company’s empathy during challenging selling circumstances, pointing to Meridian Trust if you need to sell your home quickly.
Website: meridiantrust.com
Phone: 954-807-9087
Simple Sale (a HomeLight platform)
Simple Sale, a solution from HomeLight, is an online platform where sellers in Melbourne and across the country can request a cash offer for their home. Simple Sale has a network of cash buyers on its platform, and 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 locations throughout Melbourne.
With Simple Sale, you can get an 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 Melbourne
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 and holds 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
The Buy Guys
The Buy Guys specialize in purchasing homes for cash across Florida, Georgia, and Alabama, offering a fast and easy virtual process. They buy single-family, multi-family, townhouses, and apartments in any condition, without requiring repairs or renovations. Homeowners can get a free, no-obligation consultation by calling or filling out a form. With five simple steps, sellers can receive a cash offer, review the contract, and close the deal, often within 10 business days. The Buy Guys assist with challenging situations, such as inherited properties, homes needing repairs, or rental properties with difficult tenants.
Locations: Florida, including Melbourne, and Georgia and Alabama
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; The Buy Guys covers them
The Buy Guys has been BBB accredited since 2016 and has an A+ rating. The company has no Google presence, but on Yelp, the company has 2.3 out of 5 stars based on three reviews. One 5-star review from 2022, speaks to the company’s speed, professionalism, and willingness to help out a disabled vet in need.
Website: thebuyguys.com
Phone: 888-204-7603
Florida Cash Home Buyers
Gabriel Garcia met Omer Reiner while searching for a suitable place to practice yoga. The class was canceled, and Omer gave Gabriel his business card. As luck would have it, Omer was in real estate and Gabe was a real estate investor. They collaborated on some deals before partnering up in 2014 and founding Florida Cash Home Buyers. Since then, the pair has closed on more than 800 homes. Yoga and karma inform their business practices. As such, they focus on running their business morally and ethically with honesty and fairness.
Locations: Across Florida, including Melbourne
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; Florida Cash Home Buyers covers them.
Florida Cash Home Buyers has been BBB accredited since 2015 and has an A+ rating. The company has a 4.9-star rating on 98 Google, and customer reviews speak to the efficiency of the process and the care they took with handling the difficult selling situations some customers faced. They express appreciation for the acquisition agents’ professionalism and responsiveness. Also, they appreciate the friendliness and speed with which the team handled the transactions from start to finish
Website: floridacashhomebuyers.com
Phone: 954-519-7040
House Heroes
House Heroes is a real estate company co-founded by Lucas Machado and Earl White, dedicated to buying houses, condos, vacant land, and apartments. Starting their journey in 2013 with a shared passion for real estate, Lucas and Earl have grown the company into a trusted buyer with more than 150 completed transactions. House Heroes operates on four core values: Small Team, Big Service, Performance as Promised, A+ Experience, and Creative Thinking. House Heroes is known for closing fast and as-is, offering reliable solutions for property sellers, and the team focuses on building close customer relationships based on honesty and creative problem solving.
Locations: Across Florida, including Melbourne
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; House Heroes covers them.
House Heroes has been BBB accredited since 2017 and holds an A+ rating. The company has a 4.9-star rating on Google reviews, and customers speak to the free-flowing communication, professionalism, and honesty in their dealings. They especially appreciated Lucas’s attentiveness to their specific issue and willingness to find a solution. They expressed relief and thankfulness that the company helped sellers with the stressful process of selling a home under challenging circumstances.
Website: househeroes.com
Phone: 954-676-1846
We Buy Houses Florida
This locally owned and operated group of experienced investors buys, sells, and leases all types of real estate throughout Central Florida. With more than 30 years in the Orlando area and roots in the real estate business since the early 1990s, they are committed to providing reliable and ethical services. Not a fly-by-night operation or affiliated with large corporations, the company has handled several hundred real estate transactions. One of the principals is a licensed real estate broker with Sand Dollar Realty Group Inc., adhering to the Realtor’s Code of Ethics. Their services cover all areas of Florida, and they assist sellers facing foreclosure, title issues, or difficult tenants. The company also buys land and works with investors, ensuring a straightforward, no-obligation process with a commitment to privacy and transparency.
Locations: Florida, including Melbourne, and South Georgia
Closing costs: The company indicates that the seller may have to pay 2% to 3% in closing costs.
We Buy Houses Florida has been BBB accredited since 2003 and has an A+ rating. The company has a 4.4-star rating on Google reviews, and customers speak to the professionalism and responsiveness of the company. Rob, in particular, is praised for being ethical and helpful during the selling process. They appreciate Rob’s attentiveness and availability to answer emails, calls, or texts. The negative reviews seem to have conflated this company with another, and the owner responds to clarify on Google and takes pains to make note of the possible scams with similarly named companies in the area.
Website: webuyhousesflorida.com
Phone: 407-739-5773
Why sell your Melbourne house for cash?
There are plenty of valid reasons a Melbourne home seller may choose to work with a cash-for-homes company. Leading the list are the benefits of speed, certainty, and remarkable convenience.
In Melbourne, it typically takes about 110 days to sell a home on the market using an agent. That includes an average of 66 days on 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 Melbourne, 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.
These companies are becoming increasingly popular, particularly among sellers who don’t have the usual weeks or months to prepare, market, and complete a traditional home sale. Here are some of the most common reasons why sellers may choose a top We Buy Houses for Cash company in Melbourne instead of going the traditional listing route.
- Job relocation: You need to move quickly for a new job and can’t wait for a traditional home sale.
- Divorce: You want to quickly divide assets and move on with your life.
- Inherited property: You’ve inherited a house and prefer a quick sale to dealing with maintenance or renting.
- Downsizing: You’re looking to move into a smaller home or retirement community without the hassle of prepping and showing your current home.
- Repairs needed: Your home requires significant repairs that you can’t afford or don’t want to manage.
- Avoiding open houses: You prefer to avoid the stress and inconvenience of multiple showings and open houses.
- Foundation issues: Your home has structural problems, making it less attractive to traditional buyers.
- Foreclosure: You’re facing foreclosure and need to sell quickly to settle your debts.
- Problem tenants: You’re a landlord tired of managing tenants and want a quick sale of your rental property.
- Selling from out of state: You own a property in Melbourne but live elsewhere and want the ease of a fast, remote sale.
If you are a homeowner facing any of these circumstances, requesting a cash offer from a We Buy Houses company might be a good option to consider. However, it’s important to think of this as a starting point in your search for solutions. You won’t know if it’s your best move until you know more about other options available to you, which we’ll help you review in a minute.
Pros and cons of house-buying companies in Melbourne
By now, you’ve likely noticed that We Buy Houses for Cash companies in Melbourne can bring up a mix of emotions that can be hard to navigate. While the speed and convenience may appeal to you, it can be challenging to weigh those benefits against the potential premium you may pay for a cash-offer service.
In this next section, we’ll walk you through some of the pros and cons of using a We Buy Houses company so you can better understand your options.
Pros to We Buy Houses for Cash in Melbourne
One of the biggest advantages of working with We Buy Houses for Cash companies in Melbourne is that you can sell your home as-is with no repairs required, and they’ll buy homes in any condition.
If your home was severely damaged in a weather event, or you’ve fallen years behind on routine maintenance, you can still sell without needing to make the extensive repairs that financed buyers may require.
Here are some other pros to consider:
- Speed: You typically can sell your house in as few as seven to 10 days.
- More certainty: With a pre-offer walk-through, a house-buying company can provide a firm cash offer that comes with few contingencies, or no contingencies at all. We Buy Houses companies have refined their transaction methods in such a way that they can clear away many traditional roadblocks so sellers can plan with more confidence.
- No repairs: If your home is in need of repairs you can’t afford, you can skip them altogether. Or, if you don’t have the desire or time to tackle repairs, a We Buy Houses company can be a fitting solution to sell a home in poor condition.
- Less hassle: You won’t need to worry about showings, open houses, fielding offers, negotiating, low appraisals, or the risk of the buyer’s financing falling through. When you work with a reputable We Buy Houses for Cash company in Melbourne, you’re likely going to experience a smooth journey from offer to close.
That all may sound pretty great to you as a seller if you’re looking to move within weeks rather than the months it might take you to list and sell your home on the market with an agent. However, there are downsides to working with cash-for-homes companies. Namely, they typically offer substantially below market value for your home.
Cons to We Buy Houses for Cash in Melbourne
When considering an offer from a We Buy Houses site, remember that these are house-buying companies, which means they’re ultimately trying to make a profit. They plan to fix up your home and either resell it or rent it out. That takes considerable time, skill, and investment.
Here are some potential downsides to consider:
- Lower-priced offers: Most companies follow the 70% rule, meaning they’ll offer you about 70% of your home’s after-repair value (ARV) — the value that your house could sell for on the market once it’s all fixed up, minus repair costs. This means the cash offer you receive may be markedly lower than what you could get for your home on the market.
- Inconsistent market knowledge: There can be a vast difference in a house-buying company’s knowledge of a market. One may have localized information, such as specific neighborhood data, which enables the company to leverage that knowledge into more competitive cash offers. A company without this expertise may give you a lowball offer.
- A company may be untrustworthy: As with any industry, there’s a risk of falling in with a less trustworthy company. Some cash-offer outfits deliberately make low offers to desperate homeowners and then pressure them into making a fast, unvetted decision. An unprincipled group may even engage in fraud tactics, though it’s rare.
- Pressure tactics: We Buy Houses for Cash companies know that homeowners in need of a quick sale are often facing a desperate situation. While many offer real solutions, some companies take advantage of this urgency by applying pressure tactics. If you feel pressured to accept an offer, step away and reassess your options. There are a good number of established We Buy Houses for Cash companies in Melbourne from which to choose.
Your home is more than a place where you make memories with family; it’s also likely your biggest asset. Sure, you want to sell quickly, but you could be leaving major money on the table if you choose to work with one of these We Buy Houses for Cash companies.
Always do your research, compare your options, and consult with a trusted advisor before accepting any offer.
Vet cash buyers and know your home’s worth
For many home sellers, We Buy Houses for Cash companies can be a solid solution to get a property sold quickly or to access cash for an expected life challenge. On the other hand, the “cash for your home” rehabbing business model also has led to what some housing advocates say are predatory tactics.
The level of integrity and customer service you experience can vary, even within an established house-buying company that strives to maintain consistent business standards. This is because many We Buy Houses for Cash companies are franchises and often use independent investors or local wholesaling outfits. Your experience greatly depends on the character of the person or group making the offer.
If you are considering 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.
Get a home value estimate
Before committing to a We Buy Houses for Cash company, HomeLight suggests you consult with a top agent to get a better idea of what your home might be worth if sold on the open market. Then compare cash offers to what a top agent might be able to get for your home. HomeLight can connect you with a top-performing agent in your market.
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.
You also can use HomeLight’s free Home Value Estimator right now to get an initial estimate in less than two minutes.
Other options to sell your home quickly
iBuyers
iBuyers, or instant buyers, use automated valuation models (AVMs) to offer near-instant home value estimates. They provide a mostly online experience, offering all-cash deals typically closer to market value for homes in good condition. The iBuyer process from offer to closing is quick, usually within a few days to two weeks. However, companies like Opendoor and Offerpad charge service fees of 5% to 6%.
Listing with an agent
Listing with a top real estate agent can also result in a fast sale, especially in a seller-friendly market. An agent can provide a comparative market analysis (CMA), which helps determine an appropriate listing price and estimate the time to sell. Many agents offer CMAs, often free.
Partnering with a proven agent can yield the highest selling price and they may even connect you with buyers offering cash closer to market value. If you are interested in exploring the agent option, HomeLight can connect you with a top-performing real estate agent in your area today.
Key takeaways
- We Buy Houses for Cash companies in Melbourne can make it possible to conveniently sell your home in as few as seven days with no repairs, open houses, or showings.
- There are a number of reputable cash-for-homes companies serving Melbourne.
- Using a We Buy Houses company could mean leaving a significant amount of money on the table compared to an agent-assisted or iBuyer sale.
- HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform provides no-obligation all-cash offers for homes in almost any condition in Melbourne. Because the platform has partner investors with different buying parameters across the region, it can be a great starting point if you aren’t sure who would buy your home.
FAQs on Melbourne house-buying companies
Most We Buy Houses for Cash companies 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 legitimate.
That said, as with any financial transaction, it’s a good idea to be on 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.
Most We Buy Houses for Cash companies apply the 70% rule, meaning they’ll offer you about 70% of your home’s after-repair value (ARV), 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 Melbourne ranch-style home could sell for $350,000 after repairs, but it’s going to need $30,000 of work to get there.
($350,000 x .70) – $30,000 = $215,000
In this example, a Melbourne We Buy Houses company might offer you about $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.
Accepting an offer from a We Buy Houses for Cash company can feel like a double-edged sword. On one hand, you won’t have to worry about extra costs since these companies handle most of the process after the offer is accepted. However, on the other hand, you’re likely to receive less money for your home overall.
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 ask the company if there are any hidden program fees that might affect your bottom line.
- Research and vet the house-buying companies that serve your 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. Consider 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 Melbourne vs. a top Melbourne 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 look at how various aspects of the sale might unfold and compare potential proceeds.
| Aspect of the sale | Sell to a We Buy Houses for Cash company in Melbourne | Sell with a top Realtor® in Melbourne |
| Selling timeline | 7 to 30 days | 110 days average; 66 days to attract an offer, 44 days 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 | 3% to 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 Mediterranean-style home in Melbourne is currently worth about $400,000 and needs about $15,000 in repairs. Once the repairs are completed, the home might be worth about $415,000.
| Sell to a We Buy Houses for Cash company in Melbourne | Sell with a top Realtor in Melbourne | |
| Estimated sale price | ($415,000 x .70) – $15,000 = $275,500 | $400,000 |
| Market preparations | 0 | $4,000 (1% of sale price) |
| Agent commissions | 0 | $12,000 (3% of sale price) |
| Closing costs | 0 | $6,000 (1.5%) |
| Estimated take-home for seller | $275,500 | $378,000 |
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.
House-buying companies can be a good alternative for Melbourne sellers in need of a quick home sale, but it’s important to consider both the benefits and drawbacks. When it comes to selling your home, it’s wise to avoid making any hasty decisions.
Before making a commitment to a cash-for-homes company, gather multiple offers and take the time to weigh your options. Consider consulting with a top agent for expert insights on how soon, and for how much, your property might sell on the market. Whatever you decide, HomeLight would be happy to help with your real estate needs!
Header Image Source: (amasterimage / Depositphotos)
At HomeLight, our vision is a world where every real estate transaction is simple, certain, and satisfying. Therefore, we promote strict editorial integrity in each of our posts.
Homelight
321-339-1740
Melbourne, FL