We Buy Houses Vallejo: Top 4 Companies
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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.
If you want to sell your Vallejo house quickly, working with a We Buy Houses company could be the right move. These companies specialize in making all-cash offers, often for homes that need a little TLC, so you can skip the hassle of preparing your property for traditional market buyers.
A cash sale can be ideal for homeowners who don’t have the time, money, or expertise to tackle repairs before selling.
In this post, we’ll weigh the pros and cons of Vallejo’s We Buy Houses companies, covering how they work and alternative options. Our goal is to help you make the best decision for your circumstances.
Disclaimer: This post is meant to be used for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Links and mentions of Vallejo area “We Buy Houses” companies should not be considered an endorsement.
Working with house-buying companies in Vallejo
We Buy Houses companies in Vallejo 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 is typically subject to change after they have inspected your home.
- The company performs a walk-through. This on-site property visit is typically 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 is typically 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 will initially 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 can typically 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.
Popular We Buy Houses for Cash companies in Vallejo
If the process of selling to a house-buying company in Vallejo 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’ craftsman bungalow or Victorian home. By selling to one of these companies, you should be able to sell your Vallejo home in as little as a week or two.
Rapid Home Solutions
Rapid Home Solutions is a home-buying company that focuses on providing a straightforward and hassle-free solution for homeowners looking to sell their properties quickly. They offer cash purchases, eliminating the need for lengthy traditional selling processes.
Locations: Vallejo and surrounding areas.
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; Rapid Home Solutions covers them.
Rapid Home Solutions holds a 5.0-star rating on Google.
Website: rapidhomesolutions.com
Phone number: 925-483-7327
Simple Sale (a HomeLight platform)
Simple Sale, a solution from HomeLight, is an online platform where sellers in Vallejo (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 Vallejo.
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 Vallejo.
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 Buys Houses Bay Area
John Buys Houses Bay Area makes no-obligation offers when purchasing homes in as-is conditions. It conducts a market analysis, evaluating what similar houses have sold for, to come up with competitive offers to sellers. The company rehabs properties to rent out or sell.
Locations: Bay Area, including Vallejo.
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; John Buys Houses Bay Area covers them.
John Buys Houses Bay Area has been BBB accredited since April 2020 and has an A+ rating. It has 4.9 stars on Google based on more than 200 reviews.
Website: johnbuysbayareahouses.com
Phone number: 510-730-3854
We Buy Houses, Vallejo
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 Vallejo.
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.
Website: webuyhouses.com/CA/Vallejo/
Phone number: 1-877-932-8946
Why sell your Vallejo house for cash?
Many valid reasons exist for a Vallejo home seller may choose to work with a Cash-For-Homes company. Speed, certainty, and remarkable convenience are among the primary reasons.
In Vallejo, it typically takes around 82 days to sell a home on the market using an agent. That includes an average of 38 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 Vallejo, 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.
For Vallejo homeowners, selling for cash can be an ideal route when life throws unexpected curveballs or if repairs are too costly to handle. Here are some of the most common scenarios in which a We Buy Houses company might be a fitting solution for your circumstances:
- Quick job relocation: When a new opportunity requires you to move fast, a quick cash sale can help you transition seamlessly to your next location.
- Going through a divorce: During a divorce, selling your shared home quickly for cash can simplify asset division and help both parties move forward.
- Inherited property: Selling an inherited home can be more convenient with a cash offer, especially if you’re out of state or uninterested in managing the property.
- Downsizing your home: If it’s time to downsize, a cash buyer can help you streamline the move without extended listings, open houses, or repairs.
- Costly repairs needed: When your home needs significant repairs, a cash sale allows you to skip costly fixes that traditional buyers might expect.
- Avoiding open houses: If you’d rather not prepare your home for multiple showings or open houses, selling directly to a cash buyer keeps the process private and simple.
- Foundation or structural issues: Homes with foundation problems may be difficult to sell conventionally, but cash buyers often specialize in homes needing repairs.
- Facing foreclosure: Selling for cash before foreclosure can help you settle debts and move on with a clean financial slate.
- Challenging tenants: For landlords ready to offload a property with problem tenants, cash buyers provide a straightforward way out.
- Selling from out of state: A cash sale is convenient when you’re managing a property sale remotely, reducing the need for in-person oversight.
Pros and cons of house-buying companies in Vallejo
Selling your Vallejo house to a house-buying company can offer certain advantages and drawbacks, depending on your priorities. Below, we’ve outlined some of the key pros and cons to help you decide if this route is right for you.
Working with a house-buying company in Vallejo provides speed and convenience. They’ll buy your house in any as-is condition, so you don’t need to spend time or money on repairs. Here are some of the major benefits.
- Quick sale: Cash buyers can close in as little as a week, allowing you to move forward without the lengthy timelines of a traditional sale.
- No repairs needed: Sell your house without fixing a single thing, as house-buying companies purchase properties in any condition.
- Simple transaction: These sales often skip traditional contingencies, providing a direct process with minimal paperwork.
- Guaranteed cash offer: Most house-buying companies provide a no-obligation cash offer within 24-48 hours of visiting the property, so you can decide quickly.
While house-buying companies offer convenience, the biggest downside is the price. They often pay below market value, which can mean less profit compared to selling through a real estate agent. Here are some common drawbacks to consider.
- Lower offers: Cash buyers often pay less than what you could earn on the open market, so you may lose out on potential equity.
- Limited negotiation: Most house-buying companies provide a take-it-or-leave-it offer, leaving you with little room to negotiate.
- Potential for scams: Unfortunately, some scams exist in the cash-for-homes industry, so you’ll need to carefully vet buyers.
- Missed market exposure: By skipping the open market, you might miss opportunities for competing offers that could drive up your sale price.
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 Vallejo home quickly
When you’re exploring quick-sale options, iBuyers and agents can offer valuable alternatives to traditional house-buying companies.
iBuyers: These instant buyers use automated valuation models to make near-instant cash offers, typically at closer-to-market values for homes in good condition. They offer a mostly online process that can close in days, though fees range from 5%-6%. Companies like Opendoor and Offerpad specialize in regions with uniform housing, providing a fast, hassle-free option for homes that meet their criteria.
Listing with an agent: If your property is market-ready, a top real estate agent can help you list strategically for a fast sale, especially in a strong seller’s market. Selling through an agent can yield a higher price and includes a comparative market analysis (CMA)—often free—that evaluates similar local sales to help price your home accurately. A CMA can inform you of your decision on whether to list or accept a cash offer. HomeLight can connect you with an agent who may even attract cash buyers who are willing to offer closer to market value.
FAQs on Vallejo house-buying companies
By and large, most We Buy Houses for Cash companies in Vallejo 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 Vallejo 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 Vallejo craftsman bungalow could sell for $530,000 after repairs, but it will need $30,000 of work to get there.
($530,000 x .70) – $30,000 = $341,000
In this example, a Vallejo We Buy Houses company might offer you around $341,000 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 Vallejo 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 Vallejo 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 Vallejo vs. top Vallejo 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 Vallejo | Sell with a top Realtor in Vallejo |
Selling timeline | 7 to 30 days | 82 days average; 38 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% 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 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 Vallejo is worth about $530,000 and needs about $25,000 in repairs. Once the repairs are completed, the home might be worth around $555,000.
Sell to a We Buy Houses for Cash company in Vallejo | Sell with a top Realtor in Vallejo | |
Estimated sale price | ($555,000 x .70) – $25,000 = $363,500 | $530,000 |
Market preparations | 0 | $5,300 (1% of sale price) |
Agent commissions | 0 | $15,900 (3% of sale price) |
Closing costs | 0 | $7,950 (1.5%) |
Estimated take-home for seller | $363,500 | $500,850 |
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
When considering selling your Vallejo home to a house-buying company, keep these key points in mind:
- Speed and convenience: Cash-for-homes companies offer a quick and simple process, often closing within days, which can be beneficial for urgent situations.
- No repairs needed: Cash buyers typically purchase properties in any condition, allowing you to skip repairs and updates before selling.
- Lower sale price: Be prepared for an offer that may be below market value, as these companies prioritize speed over maximizing price.
- Limited negotiation: Most house-buying companies offer take-it-or-leave-it terms, leaving little room to adjust the offer.
- Consider all options: Exploring other quick-sale options, like iBuyers or listing with a skilled agent, may yield a higher sale price.
- 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 Vallejo agent.
Header Image Source: (Paul Hanaoka/Unsplash)