We Buy Houses Santa Ana: 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 Santa Ana property can be difficult, especially if it needs repairs and time is a factor. We Buy Houses companies in Santa Ana offer an alternative to selling via the traditional real estate market.
These companies cater to homeowners who lack the time, expertise, or money to prepare their homes for the market, letting property owners sell in a matter of days.
In this post, we’ll explore the pros and cons of working with house-buying companies in Santa Ana. By understanding these aspects, you’ll be better equipped to weigh your options and make an informed decision about selling your home quickly and efficiently.
Sell Your House Fast in Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana area “We Buy Houses” companies should not be considered an endorsement.
Working with house-buying companies in Santa Ana
If you need to sell your Santa Ana property in a matter of days, We Buy Houses companies are a good option. Here’s a brief look at how the process works:
- Contact the company: Find a reputable house-buying company in Santa Ana and provide it with details about your property.
- Schedule a home visit: Arrange for the company to visit your home to assess its condition so that it can make an offer on your property.
- Receive an offer: The company will present you with a no-obligation cash offer after evaluating your home.
- Review the offer: Consider the offer and decide if it meets your needs and expectations. There is typically no room for negotiation—the offer is “take it or leave it.”
- Accept the offer: If you agree with the offer, sign the necessary paperwork to move forward with the sale.
- Close the deal: Work with the company to complete the closing process, often within a few days, and receive your cash payment.
Popular We Buy Houses for Cash companies in Santa Ana
If the process of selling to a house-buying company in Santa Ana 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’ Spanish colonial revival or craftsman. By selling to one of these companies, you should be able to sell your Santa Ana home in as little as a week or two.
Bigger Equity
BiggerEquity is a nationwide house-buying company that began operations in 2016. The company says it can make a cash offer in as little as seven minutes and close as quickly as seven days.
Locations: BiggerEquity buys houses throughout California, including Santa Ana. The company serves homeowners in all 50 U.S. states.
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; BiggerEquity covers them.
Simple Sale (a HomeLight platform)
Simple Sale, a solution from HomeLight, is an online platform where sellers in Santa Ana (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 Santa Ana.
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 Santa Ana.
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
John Medina Buys Houses
John Medina Buys Houses, founded in 2014, is a San Pedro-based homebuying company focused on fast, simple transactions. The company prides itself on no fees and an easy, stress-free transaction process.
Locations: Santa Ana and throughout California
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; John Medina Buys Houses covers them.
John Medina Buys Houses has been BBB accredited since 2015. Many reviews cite an easy transaction process, from initial consultation through closing. The company holds an A+ BBB rating and an average of 5/5 star customer reviews. It also has a 4.6/5 star rating on Google.
Website: johnmedinabuyshouses.com/we-buy-houses-in-santa-ana-ca
Phone number: 866-333-8377
House Buyer Network
House Buyer Network is a nationwide company established in 2004 that specializes in buying houses for cash. They serve various locations throughout the country and have a reputation for helping homeowners facing challenges such as job relocation, expensive home repairs, inheritance, financial distress, and more.
Locations: Nationwide, including Santa Ana.
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; House Buyer Network covers them.
The company has received positive feedback from customers who appreciate their quick and efficient service. According to their website, homeowners have praised the company for its transparency, ease of the selling process, and the ability to buy houses in various conditions.
We Buy Houses
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 Santa Ana.
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. Customer reviews speak to its professionalism and understandable procedure.
Website: webuyhouses.com/CA/Santa_Ana
Phone number: 877-932-8946
Why sell your Santa Ana house for cash?
Selling your home for cash isn’t for everyone, but if you’re looking for a fast transaction with no strings attached, it’s a great alternative to selling on the traditional market.
In Santa Ana, it typically takes around 74 days to sell a home on the market using an agent. That includes an average of 32 days on the market plus the typical 42 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 Santa Ana, 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 selling your Santa Ana house for cash could be the right move for you:
- Job relocation: You need to move quickly for a new job opportunity and don’t have time for a traditional sale.
- Divorce: You’re going through a divorce and want to sell your shared property as quickly and smoothly as possible.
- Inherited: You’ve inherited a property and prefer a fast sale to divide the proceeds among heirs.
- Downsizing: You’re downsizing and want to sell your current home quickly to purchase a smaller one.
- Repairs: Your home requires significant repairs, and you don’t have the funds or desire to fix it up before selling.
- Open houses: You want to avoid the hassle and intrusion of open houses and multiple showings.
- Foundation: Your home has foundation issues, and you’re worried about the cost and complexity of repairs.
- Foreclosure: You’re facing foreclosure and need to sell your home quickly to settle debts with the lender.
- Tenants: You own a rental property with tenants and want to sell without dealing with lease agreements.
- Selling from out of state: You’re living out of state and want the convenience of a quick, remote sale.
Pros and cons of house-buying companies in Santa Ana
There are pros and cons to selling your home for cash to a We Buy Houses company. Here’s a quick look at both of then:
- Quick sale: House-buying companies can close the deal in as little as a week, offering a swift solution.
- As-is purchase: You can sell your home in its current condition without needing to make repairs or improvements.
- No contingencies: Sales typically come with no contingencies, ensuring a smooth and straightforward process.
- Certainty of closing: Cash offers mean you won’t face financing issues or delays from the buyer’s side.
The biggest drawback is that these companies usually offer below market value for your home compared to what you might get with an experienced real estate agent. Here are some of the downsides:
- Lower offers: Expect to receive less than your home’s market value.
- Scams: There are potential scams and disreputable companies in the industry.
- No negotiation: Offers are typically take-it-or-leave-it, with little room for negotiation.
- Service fees: Some companies may charge fees that reduce your net proceeds.
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 selling your Santa Ana home to a house-buying company, the integrity and service you experience can vary widely. Here are key steps to vet cash buyers and know your home’s worth:
- Check reviews: Look up online reviews and ratings to see what other sellers have said about their experiences.
- Read testimonials: Go through customer testimonials on the company’s website to gauge satisfaction and reliability.
- Research market presence: Investigate the company’s history and performance in the Santa Ana market.
- Evaluate the offer: Compare the cash offer with your home’s market value to ensure it’s fair.
- Read the agreement: Carefully read the buying agreement to understand all terms and conditions 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 Santa Ana home quickly
iBuyers
iBuyers are a type of cash buyer using automated valuation models (AVMs) to provide near-instant home value estimates. They offer a mostly online experience, making all-cash offers closer to market value for homes in good condition.
The iBuyer process is quick, often closing in days to two weeks. Note that companies like Opendoor and Offerpad typically charge service fees of 5%-6%. iBuyers are suitable for homes in homogeneous areas and good condition.
Listing with an agent
While seeking a fast sale, consider listing with a top real estate agent. In a seller-friendly market, this can yield quick sales and potentially higher prices. An agent provides a comparative market analysis (CMA) to help set a competitive price, often for free.
Agents may also connect you with cash buyers closer to your home’s market value. If you decide to explore this option, HomeLight can connect you with a top-performing agent in your area.
FAQs on Santa Ana house-buying companies
By and large, most We Buy Houses for Cash companies in Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana Spanish colonial revival home could sell for $815,000 after repairs, but it will need $30,000 of work to get there.
($815,000 x .70) – $30,000 = $540,500
In this example, a Santa Ana We Buy Houses company might offer you around $540,500 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 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 Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana vs. top Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana | Sell with a top Realtor in Santa Ana |
| Selling timeline | 7 to 30 days | 74 days average; 32 to attract an offer, 42 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 | 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 Santa Ana is worth about $815,000 and needs about $25,000 in repairs. Once the repairs are completed, the home might be worth around $840,000.
| Sell to a We Buy Houses for Cash company in Santa Ana | Sell with a top Realtor in Santa Ana | |
| Estimated sale price | ($840,000 x .70) – $25,000 = $563,000 | $815,000 |
| Market preparations | 0 | $8,150 (1% of sale price) |
| Agent commissions | 0 | $47,270 (5.8% of sale price) |
| Closing costs | 0 | $12,225 (1.5%) |
| Estimated take-home for seller | $563,000 | $747,355 |
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 sales: House-buying companies in Santa Ana can close deals in as little as a week, providing a fast solution for urgent needs.
- As-is purchases: You can sell your home without making any repairs or improvements, saving time and money.
- Lower offers: Expect offers to be below market value, which might not meet your financial expectations.
- No negotiations: Offers are typically take-it-or-leave-it, with little room for haggling.
- Service fees: Some companies charge fees that can reduce your net proceeds, so be sure to read the fine print.
- 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 Santa Ana agent.
Header Image Source: (Ronnie George / Unsplash)
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