We Buy Houses San Mateo County: Top 5 Companies
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Joseph Gordon EditorJoseph Gordon is an Editor with HomeLight. He has several years of experience reporting on the commercial real estate and insurance industries.
Selling your home in San Mateo County doesn’t always mean making extensive repairs or a lengthy process. We Buy Houses companies offer an alternative, making cash offers for homes, regardless of the condition, selling in a matter of days.
A cash sale can be beneficial if you don’t have the time, expertise, or money to tackle renovations.
In this post, we’ll explore the pros and cons of working with house-buying companies in San Mateo County. We will also explain how the process works and provide you with some companies in your area.
Sell Your House Fast in San Mateo County With a Cash Offer
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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 Mateo County area “We Buy Houses” companies should not be considered an endorsement.
Working with house-buying companies in San Mateo County
If you’re a homeowner in San Mateo County and need to sell your house fast, working with a We Buy Houses company is a great solution to the traditional market. Here’s a brief look at how it works:
- Contact the company: Reach out to a house-buying company through their website or by phone to provide basic details about your home.
- Schedule a home visit: A representative will visit your property, evaluate its condition, and determine its cash value.
- Receive a cash offer: After the evaluation, the company will present a no-obligation cash offer, typically within 24-48 hours.
- Accept or decline the offer: Review the offer and decide whether to proceed. Most offers are firm with little to no negotiation.
- Sign the paperwork: If you accept, the company will guide you through the necessary paperwork to finalize the sale.
- Close the deal: The transaction closes at a local title company, and you receive your cash payment, often within a week.
Popular We Buy Houses for Cash companies in San Mateo County
If the process of selling to a house-buying company in San Mateo County 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’ ranch-style or craftsman bungalow. By selling to one of these companies, you should be able to selll your San Mateo County home in as little as a week or two.
John Buys Bay Area Houses
John Buys Bay Area Houses is a local home-buying company that specializes in helping homeowners in San Mateo and surrounding areas sell their houses quickly. The company offers fair cash deals and flexible closing options.
Locations: San Mateo and surrounding areas.
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; John Buys Bay Area Houses covers them.
John Buys Bay Area Houses has a 4.9-star rating on Google with a strong reputation for excellent customer service.
Website: johnbuysbayareahouses.com
Phone number: 510-491-0915
Simple Sale (a HomeLight platform)
Simple Sale, a solution from HomeLight, is an online platform where sellers in San Mateo County (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 San Mateo 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 Mateo County
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
Rapid Home Solutions
Rapid Home Solutions is a real estate investment company that offers cash home-buying services, helping homeowners sell their properties in a matter of days. They specialize in solutions for sellers who need to sell fast due to various situations, including foreclosure, inherited properties, and other circumstances.
Locations: San Mateo County and surrounding areas.
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; Rapid Home Solutions covers them.
Rapid Home Solutions has been BBB accredited since 2016 and has an A+ rating. The company also has a 5.0-star rating on Google with a strong reputation for excellent customer service.
Website: rapidhomesolutions.com
Phone number: 925-483-7327
Twin Home Buyer
Twin Home Buyer is a property investment company that purchases homes directly from homeowners in any condition. They aim to make the selling process straightforward, handling repairs and renovations themselves so homeowners don’t need to worry about prepping the property.
Locations: Throughout California, including San Mateo County.
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; Twin Home Buyer covers them.
Twin Home Buyer has been BBB accredited since 2022 and has an A rating. The company also has a 4.8-star rating on Google.
Website: twinhomebuyer.com
Phone number: 510-800-1662
California Cash Buyer
California Cash Buyer caters to various homeowner needs, including those facing foreclosure, needing to downsize, or dealing with inherited properties. The company emphasizes fast closings, often within days, and aims to offer fair cash offers while handling all associated costs.
Locations: San Mateo County and surrounding areas.
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; California Cash Buyer covers them.
California Cash Buyer has been BBB accredited since 2022 and has an A+ rating. The company also has a 5.0-star rating on Google.
Website: californiacashbuyer.com
Phone number: 415-384-9992
Why sell your San Mateo County house for cash?
If you need to sell your home without delay, consider a We Buy Houses company in San Mateo. This is significantly faster than selling on the open market, with fewer headaches.
In San Mateo County, it typically takes around 67 days to sell a home on the market using an agent. That includes an average of 23 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 San Mateo County, 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.
If you’re unsure whether selling for cash is right for you, here are some common situations where it could be a perfect fit.
- Job relocation: You need to move quickly for a new opportunity and don’t have time for a lengthy sale process. Learn more about job relocation.
- Divorce: Selling quickly can help you and your spouse move on without prolonged financial ties. Discover more about selling a house after divorce.
- Inherited property: You’ve inherited a house and want to sell it without managing repairs or listing it on the market. Read more about selling an inherited property.
- Downsizing: You’re ready to move into a smaller home and want to streamline the process without hassle. Learn about downsizing options.
- Costly repairs: The house needs significant repairs, and you lack the resources or desire to make them before selling. Find out more about selling a house that needs repairs.
- Tired of open houses: You prefer to skip the stress of prepping for open houses and multiple showings. Here’s more on what an open house entails.
- Foundation issues: The property has serious foundation problems, and you’d rather sell as-is than make expensive fixes. Learn about selling a house with foundation issues.
- Foreclosure concerns: You’re behind on payments and need a fast sale to avoid foreclosure. Explore more about selling to avoid foreclosure.
- Tenants in place: Managing tenants has become challenging, and you’re ready to sell the rental property. Find out how to sell a property with tenants in place.
- Selling from out of state: You own a property in San Mateo County but live elsewhere, and coordinating a sale is complicated. Learn about the process of selling from out of state.
Pros and cons of house-buying companies in San Mateo County
Selling to a house-buying company in San Mateo County offers several advantages, with speed being one of the most important. Additionally, you can sell your home in as-is condition without worrying about repairs or preparations. Here’s a quick look at the main benefits:
- Quick sale: These companies typically close within days or weeks, making them ideal if you need to sell fast.
- No repairs: You don’t have to make any repairs, as the company will buy your house in its current condition.
- No showings: Skip the hassle of open houses and showings—house-buying companies don’t require your home to be staged.
- No contingencies: Most house-buying companies don’t require any contingencies, which helps ensure a quicker, smoother sale process.
However, there are downsides to consider. The biggest drawback is that house-buying companies typically offer below-market value for your home. Here’s an overview of some of the main disadvantages:
- Lower offer: Expect a cash offer that’s significantly lower than what you’d get by selling on the open market with a real estate agent.
- Limited negotiation: These companies usually present take-it-or-leave-it offers with no room for negotiation.
- Potential for scams: Some companies engage in scams, so you’ll need to be cautious about who you’re dealing with.
- Missed opportunities: Selling to a traditional buyer may result in a better offer and the chance to earn more from your property.
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
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 San Mateo County home quickly
iBuyers
iBuyers, such as Opendoor and Offerpad, offer instant cash offers by using automated valuation models (AVMs) to estimate your home’s value quickly. These online-based companies typically offer all-cash deals for homes in good condition, often closing in just days. However, service fees range from 5%-6%, and iBuyers are best suited for homes in more standardized markets. Learn more about the iBuyer process.
Listing with an agent
Even if you want a fast sale, listing with a top real estate agent could still be a great option. Agents can offer a comparative market analysis (CMA)—often for free—to help price your home competitively. Working with an agent may also connect you with cash buyers and yield a higher sale price. HomeLight can connect you with a top agent to explore this option.
FAQs on San Mateo County house-buying companies
By and large, most We Buy Houses for Cash companies in San Mateo County 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 San Mateo County 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 Mateo County ranch-style could sell for $1,900,000 after repairs, but it will need $30,000 of work to get there.
($1,900,000 x .70) – $30,000 = $1,300,000
In this example, a San Mateo County We Buy Houses company might offer you around $1,300,000 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 San Mateo County 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 San Mateo County 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 San Mateo County vs. top San Mateo County 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 Mateo County | Sell with a top Realtor in San Mateo County |
| Selling timeline | 7 to 30 days | 67 days average; 23 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 San Mateo County is worth about $1,900,000 and needs about $25,000 in repairs. Once the repairs are completed, the home might be worth around $1,925,000.
| Sell to a We Buy Houses for Cash company in San Mateo County | Sell with a top Realtor in San Mateo County | |
| Estimated sale price | ($1,925,000 x .70) – $25,000 = $1,322,500 | $1,900,000 |
| Market preparations | 0 | $19,000 (1% of sale price) |
| Agent commissions | 0 | $57,000 (3% of sale price) |
| Closing costs | 0 | $28,500 (1.5%) |
| Estimated take-home for seller | $1,322,500 | $1,795,500 |
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
- Quick sale: House-buying companies in San Mateo County can close the deal fast, often within a week or two.
- No repairs needed: These companies will buy your house as-is, so you don’t have to worry about making any fixes.
- Lower offers: Cash offers are typically below market value, which may result in less profit than selling through a real estate agent.
- No open houses or showings: You can skip the hassle of preparing for open houses and scheduling showings.
- Fast cash: You’ll receive cash for your home quickly, which can be helpful in urgent situations.
- Few contingencies: House-buying companies usually don’t include contingencies, making the process straightforward and less risky.
- 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 San Mateo County agent.
Header Image Source: (Svetlana SF / Deposit Photos)
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