5 Top We Buy Houses for Cash Companies in San Bernardino
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Kelsey Morrison Former HomeLight EditorClose
Kelsey Morrison Former HomeLight EditorKelsey Morrison worked as an editor for HomeLight's Resource Centers. She has seven years of editorial experience in the real estate and lifestyle spaces. She previously worked as a commerce editor for World of Good Brands (eHow.com and Cuteness.com) and as an associate editor for Livabl.com. Kelsey holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec, and lives in a small mountain town in Southern California.
Need to sell your San Bernardino home fast, even if it needs some TLC? “We Buy Houses” companies make it easy to sell your home in its current condition, without the expense of repairs or the inconvenience of showings.
These companies provide no-obligation, all-cash offers, which can be an appealing option for homeowners dealing with unexpected or urgent situations that require them to sell. Whether it’s a job relocation, financial distress, or any other pressing matter, selling for cash offers an easy exit.
In this article, we’ll weigh the pros and cons of selling to a “We Buy Houses” company and direct you to some of the most reliable cash investors in the Inland Empire. Our goal is to help you make a decision you can feel good about, whether you opt for a cash offer or decide to work with a top real estate agent.
Sell Your San Bernardino House Fast With a Cash Offer
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 few as 10 days. No showings, no repairs, no open houses. Available to sellers throughout San Bernardino.
Disclaimer: This post is meant to be used for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Links and mentions of San Bernardino area “We Buy Houses” companies should not be considered an endorsement.
Working with house-buying companies in San Bernardino
Thinking about selling your San Bernardino home to a house-buying company? Here’s how the process generally works:
1. Find a company: Research reputable “We Buy Houses” companies in San Bernardino County. Look for ones with positive reviews and a strong presence in the Inland Empire.
2. Submit details: Provide the company with details about your property. This usually involves filling out a form on their website or making a phone call.
3. Schedule a walk-through: Many home-buying companies will want to tour your property in person to evaluate its condition and market value before extending an offer.
4. Receive an offer: Expect to receive a cash offer quickly, often within 24 to 48 hours of the walk-through.
5. Accept the offer: If the offer meets your needs, you can accept it. Remember, these offers are typically non-negotiable, so what you see is usually what you get.
6. Close the sale: Closing can occur in as little as a week, allowing you to access your funds quickly and move on with your plans.
7. Move out: Once the sale closes, you’ll need to vacate the property by the agreed-upon date, completing the process from start to finish.
Popular We Buy Houses for Cash companies in San Bernardino
If the process of selling to a San Bernardino house-buying company appeals to you, the next step is crucial: finding a legitimate business you can trust.
We’ve compiled a list of some of the top companies that will pay cash for your parents’ historic Craftsman or charming bungalow. By selling to one of these companies, you should be able to sell your San Bernardino home in as little as a week or two.
Priority Home Buyers
Priority Home Buyers, established in 2008 in Las Vegas by CEO Aleks Grigoriev, has grown across the Sun Belt and the US. They provide a fast, fair cash offer process, promising offers within one hour and closings in as little as seven days. With no obligation and 22 offices nationwide, homeowners can easily get a live consultation. They are active in San Bernardino and have a local market specialist on staff.
Locations: Nationwide
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; Priority Home Buyers covers them.
Priority Home Buyers has been accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) since 2023 and holds an A+ rating. The San Bernardino chapter also has a 5.0 Google star rating. Reviewers say the company responds quickly, provides fair offers, and works with sellers’ timelines. They have been particularly helpful to sellers who inherited an estate, helping them sell quickly with “zero gimmicks.”
Website: priorityhomebuyers.com
Phone number: 909-640-3797
Simple Sale (a HomeLight platform)
Simple Sale, a solution from HomeLight, is an online platform where sellers in San Bernardino (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 US. 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 San Bernardino County.
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 San Bernardino
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
Pat Buys Houses Cash
Pat Buys Houses Cash is a family-owned real estate solutions company based in San Bernardino, specializing in assisting homeowners facing foreclosure, extensive repairs, mold, water, or fire damage, and other difficult situations. They offer cash offers within 24 hours and cover all closing costs. They purchase houses in nine cities across San Bernardino County and Riverside County.
Locations: San Bernardino and surrounding areas
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; Pat Buys Houses Cash covers them.
Pat Buys Houses Cash has a 5.0 Google rating. Reviewers praise Pat, the owner, for being easy to work with, trustworthy, professional, and efficient. Several people mentioned that the offers put forth by Pat Buys Houses Cash were the highest they received. “[Pat] made me feel comfortable and didn’t judge the mess,” wrote one client.
Website: patbuyshousescash.com
Phone number: 951-476-3231
SoCal Home Buyers
SoCal Home Buyers, founded by husband and wife duo Doug and Andrea Van Soest, is a professional real estate investment company. They’ve been working in the Inland Empire for over two decades and buy houses in more than 25 cities across San Bernardino County and Riverside County. They purchase all types of properties in any condition. SoCal Home Buyers offers a simple sellers’ agreement, and they can close in as little as seven days with no closing costs for the seller.
Locations: San Bernardino, Riverside, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Orange counties
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; SoCal Home Buyers covers them.
SoCal Home Buyers has been BBB-accredited since 2018 and touts an A+ rating. The company also has a 4.8-star rating on Google. A recent customer wrote that SoCal Home Buyers made the process as easy as possible despite hiccups caused by probate and COVID-19. Another reviewer wrote, “Not only did they provide a fair price, but they made the process very easy.”
Website: socalhomebuyers.com/san-bernardino
Phone number: 951-331-3844
We Buy Houses San Bernardino
We Buy Houses, established in 1997, purchases homes in 200 markets across 30 states, regardless of condition. Trusted by 1 million homeowners, they offer cash even for those behind on mortgages or facing foreclosure. After the homeowner provides their basic property information, the company will reach out to schedule an in-person walkthrough. You can get an offer within 24–48 hours, and can typically close in 7–14 days.
Locations: Nationwide, including San Bernardino
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; WeBuyHouses.com covers them.
We Buy Houses has been BBB-accredited since August 2020 and has an A+ rating. Customer reviews speak to the company’s professionalism, responsiveness, and straightforward buying process. “Moving cross-country is challenging enough, but selling my house through We Buy Houses was easy and convenient,” wrote one reviewer.
Website: webuyhouses.com/CA/San_Bernardino
Phone number: 1-877-932-8946
Why sell your San Bernardino house for cash?
Selling your San Bernardino house for cash can be an attractive option for many homeowners, especially when time is of the essence. In San Bernardino, it typically takes around 87 days to sell a home on the market using a real estate 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.
Here are some scenarios where choosing a house-buying company could be the right solution:
- Job relocation: If you’re relocating for a job and need to sell quickly, a cash sale can simplify the transition.
- Divorce: Selling your home for cash can expedite the process of dividing assets during a divorce.
- Inherited property: If you’ve inherited a property you’re not prepared to manage, selling for cash is a straightforward way to deal with it.
- Downsizing: When it’s time to downsize, a quick cash sale can help you move on to the next chapter in your life without delay.
- Major repairs needed: If your home requires significant repairs you can’t afford or manage, a cash sale can relieve you of the burden.
- Avoiding open houses: If the thought of open houses and constant showings is overwhelming, selling for cash offers privacy and convenience.
- Foundation issues: Selling a house with foundational problems is easier when you opt for a cash sale.
- Foreclosure looming: To avoid foreclosure, a fast cash sale can settle debts quickly.
- Problematic tenants: For landlords wanting to sell properties with tenants in place, cash sales offer a simple solution.
- Selling from out of state: If you’re selling a San Bernardino home while living elsewhere, a cash sale is convenient and quick.
Choosing to sell your San Bernardino home for cash can be a smart decision in these and other pressing situations, offering a fast and hassle-free way to move forward.
Pros and cons of house-buying companies in San Bernardino
Selling your San Bernardino home fast comes with trade-offs. Let’s explore the pros and cons of working with house-buying companies to help you decide.
Pros
The major advantages of working with a San Bernardino house-buying company are the speed of the sale and the convenience of selling “as-is.”
- Fast closing: These companies can often close on your home within a week, offering a quick solution when time is of the essence.
- No repairs needed: You can sell your house as-is, avoiding the time and expense of making repairs.
- No real estate commissions: Selling to a house-buying company means you won’t have to pay a commission to real estate agents, potentially saving thousands of dollars.
- Less stress: The process eliminates many of the typical selling stresses, such as staging your home, scheduling open houses, and dealing with buyer contingencies.
Cons
While the convenience is appealing, the most significant drawback is receiving an offer that is below market value for your home. Here are some drawbacks to consider:
- Lower offers: Expect to receive less than what your home might fetch on the open market.
- Limited negotiation: The offer you receive is typically non-negotiable, offering little room for bargaining.
- Potential for scams: While many companies are reputable, the industry has its share of scams. It’s crucial to research and verify the legitimacy of the company.
- Less market exposure: Selling directly to a company means your home won’t be listed on the open market, potentially limiting how much you could make from the sale.
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
When deciding to sell your San Bernardino home to a We Buy Houses for Cash company, remember that the level of integrity and service you receive can vary. Your experience will largely depend on the character and professionalism of the person or group making the offer. It’s important to vet the company thoroughly before signing on the dotted line. Take the time to check reviews, read testimonials from previous sellers, and research the company’s presence and performance in the San Bernardino market.
Before committing to any cash offer, carefully read the buying agreement. Understand every detail to ensure there are no surprises later on. This step is essential in protecting your interests and ensuring you’re fully informed about the terms of the sale. Being cautious and informed can make all the difference in your selling experience.
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 San Bernardino home quickly
iBuyers
iBuyers, or instant buyers, leverage automated valuation models (AVMs) to provide near-instant, all-cash offers for homes in good condition, typically closer to market value. The iBuyer process is completed mostly online, and sales can close in as little as a few days to two weeks. However, service fees of around 5%–6% apply. This route is ideal for sellers in areas with uniform housing. Opendoor and Offerpad are some of the most well-known iBuyers in the market.
Listing with an agent
Listing with an agent might seem counterintuitive when you’re looking for a fast sale, but it can be highly effective in seller-friendly markets like San Bernardino. A top real estate agent can secure a quick sale at a potentially higher price, thanks to strategic pricing and marketing.
Agents provide a comparative market analysis (CMA) — often for free — to help set a competitive price, increasing the likelihood of a quick sale. For those considering an agent, HomeLight can connect you with top performers in your area. A well-connected agent could potentially find a cash buyer willing to pay near-market value for your home.
FAQs on San Bernardino house-buying companies
By and large, most We Buy Houses for Cash companies in San Bernardino 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. Read 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 San Bernardino 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 San Bernardino Mediterranean could sell for $475,000 after repairs, but it’s going to need $30,000 of work to get there.
($475,000 x .70) – $30,000 = $302,500
In this example, a San Bernardino We Buy Houses company might offer you around $302,500 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 good 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 San Bernardino We Buy Houses for Cash company, you will likely be coming to grips with a two-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. On the other side, 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 the Inland Empire. 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 San Bernardino vs. top San Bernardino 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 San Bernardino | Sell with a top Realtor in San Bernardino |
| 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 San Bernardino is currently worth about $375,000 and needs about $25,000 in repairs. Once the repairs are completed, the home might be worth around $400,000.
| Sell to a We Buy Houses for Cash company in San Bernardino | Sell with a top Realtor in San Bernardino | |
| Estimated sale price | ($400,000 x .70) – $25,000 = $255,000 | $375,000 |
| Market preparations | 0 | $3,750 (1% of sale price) |
| Agent commissions | 0 | $21,750 (5.8% of sale price) |
| Closing costs | 0 | $5,625 (1.5%) |
| Estimated take-home for seller | $255,000 | $343,875 |
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, the level of repairs are needed, and your selling goals. It could be that selling on the open market will be a challenge in your neighborhood, or the agent timeline might not fit your immediate needs.
Key takeaways
- Speed and simplicity: Selling your San Bernardino home to a Cash-For-Homes company can be much faster than selling on the open market.
- No repairs needed: You can sell your house as-is, avoiding the cost and time of making repairs.
- Below market offers: Be prepared for offers that may be below market value for your San Bernardino home.
- Vet carefully: To avoid scams, ensure you thoroughly research any company you’re considering selling to and know your home’s value.
- Explore options: HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform provides no-obligation, all-cash offers for homes in almost any condition in San Bernardino County and beyond. 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.
- Professional advice: Consulting with a top San Bernardino agent can provide valuable insight into your home’s potential market value and selling time.
Sellers in San Bernardino who are thinking about selling to a “We Buy Houses” company should gather multiple offers and compare them carefully. Don’t rush to accept the first offer you receive — take your time to get the best possible price for your home. It’s also a good idea to consult with a top San Bernardino agent about your home’s market value and potential selling timeline on the open market.
Remember, selling your home is a big decision. If you’re looking for expert guidance and assistance, HomeLight is here to help!
Header Image Source: (Jose Rago/ Unsplash)
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