5 Top We Buy Houses for Cash Companies in Vancouver
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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.
Do you need to sell your home quickly in Vancouver? We Buy Houses companies might be what you need, especially if your property needs extensive repairs. These companies typically provide all-cash offers in a matter of days, in a process that’s much faster and simpler than selling your home through a real estate agent.
A cash sale typically makes the most sense if you’re short on time or resources to manage renovations. Whether you’re facing an unexpected life change or need a fast transaction, selling for cash could be the right solution.
This post will explore the pros and cons of using house-buying companies in Vancouver, guiding you to make an informed decision about selling your home for cash. We also discuss alternatives to using We Buy Houses in Vancouver, and explain how the process works.
Disclaimer: This post is meant to be used for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Links and mentions of Vancouver area “We Buy Houses” companies should not be considered an endorsement.
Working with house-buying companies in Vancouver
Working with house-buying companies in Vancouver can lead to a fast home sale, especially when time is of the essence. Here’s how to sell your Vancouver home quickly and efficiently to a cash-for-homes company.
- Contact the company: Reach out to a reputable house-buying company in Vancouver to express your interest in selling. They typically respond quickly to inquiries.
- Schedule a visit: Allow the company to inspect your home. This assessment helps them make an accurate offer based on the property’s condition and market factors.
- Receive an offer: After evaluating your home, the company will present you with an all-cash offer. This offer usually comes with no obligation, allowing you to consider it without pressure.
- Accept the offer: If the offer aligns with your expectations, you can accept it to move forward.
- Close the sale: Closing is often fast, with some companies able to complete the process in as little as a week.
- Receive your payment: Once everything is finalized, you receive the cash payment, allowing you to move on with your financial plans.
Popular We Buy Houses for Cash companies in Vancouver
If the process of selling to a house-buying company in Vancouver 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’ bungalow or Cape Cod-style house. By selling to one of these companies, you should be able to sell your Vancouver home in as little as a week or two.
Bridgeview Cash For Homes
Bridgeview Cash For Homes purchases homes in both Vancouver and Portland regions. The company operates with a dual license in real estate investment and remodeling, allowing the company to provide a premium, all-cash offer for homes. It will make fast cash purchases for a range of properties.
Locations: Portland, surrounding areas, and Vancouver, Washington.
Closing costs: Seller pays no closing costs; Bridgeview Cash for Homes covers them
Clients express high satisfaction when working with Bridgeview Cash For Homes, specifically highlighting the ease and speed of their real estate transactions. Overall, the reviews paint Bridgeview as a reliable choice for those seeking hassle-free property sales, with many clients eager to recommend or work with them again. The company’s Google rating is 5.0.
Website: cashforhomespdx.com
Phone number: 503-998-3900
Simple Sale (a HomeLight platform)
Simple Sale, a solution from HomeLight, is an online platform where sellers in Vancouver (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 Vancouver.
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 Vancouver, WA.
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
Shona Buys Houses
Shona Buys Houses will help property owners navigate challenges like foreclosure, probate, or owning burdensome properties. With their client-centric approach, Shona Buys Houses strives to help Portland homeowners move forward and focus on what they cherish most in life.
Locations: Portland and surrounding areas like Vancouver
Closing costs: Shona Buys Houses often pays for closing costs
Shona Buys Houses has received positive reviews from clients, emphasizing the company’s reliability, professionalism, and compassion. Customers appreciate the feeling of being valued and the attentive service. The company holds a Google rating of 4.7.
Website: shonabuyshouses.com
Phone number: 503-389-3122
Portland Cash Buyers
Portland Cash Buyers offers flexibility in terms and arrangements, adapting to each homeowner’s unique requirements. The company will purchase homes in a variety of conditions and will work with sellers on a time table that suits them.
Locations: Portland, OR, and Vancouver, WA
Closing costs: Seller pays no closing costs; Portland Home Buyers covers them
Portland Cash Buyers has been BBB accredited since 2019 and holds an A+ rating. Portland Cash Buyers consistently receives high praise for their accommodating and efficient service. The company’s Google rating is 5.0.
Website: portlandcashbuyers.com
Phone number: 503-389-3122
Vancouver Redevelopment
Vancouver Redevelopment is a locally owned and operated real estate investor. They invest in communities throughout Vancouver and work with homeowners to offer them all-cash offers. They company prides itself on a quick and easy process.
Locations: Vancouver, WA and the rest of the Portland metro area
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; Vancouver Redevelopment covers them.
Vancouver Redevelopment holds a 5.0 Google rating with reviews highlighting their honesty, professionalism, and swift transactions. Clients appreciate their prompt communication and fair offers, describing the process as smooth and stress-free.
Website: vancouverredevelopment.com
Phone number: 360-558-3338
Why sell your Vancouver house for cash?
There are plenty of valid reasons a Vancouver home seller may choose to work with a Cash-For-Homes company, with speed, certainty, and remarkable convenience often cited as some of the primary reasons.
In Vancouver, it typically takes around 81 days to sell a home on the market using an agent. That includes an average of 39 days on the market, plus around 42 days or so that 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 Vancouver, 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’s a look at common situations where selling to a house-buying company might be beneficial:
- Job relocation: When you need to move quickly for a new job opportunity, selling for cash can expedite your transition.
- Divorce: Simplify the division of assets and gain a quicker resolution during a divorce by selling your home for cash.
- Inherited property: If managing or maintaining an inherited property is overwhelming, a cash sale can be an efficient solution.
- Downsizing: Ready to move to a smaller home or a retirement community? Cash sales can streamline the process.
- Major repairs needed: Avoid the hassle and expense of major repairs by selling as-is to a cash buyer.
- Avoiding open houses: If you prefer not to have open houses, selling directly for cash offers a private, no-fuss alternative.
- Foundation issues: Foundation problems can be a deal-breaker in traditional sales, but cash buyers often purchase homes ‘as-is.’ Learn more about foundation issues.
- Facing foreclosure: Get ahead of foreclosure by choosing a quick cash sale to settle debts.
- Dealing with tenants: Sell your rental property as-is, even with tenants in place, to avoid landlord responsibilities. Learn more about selling with tenants.
- Selling from out of state: Manage a smooth sale from afar by opting for a straightforward cash transaction.
Pros and cons of house-buying companies in Vancouver
Selling your home to a house-buying company in Vancouver has its up and downs. Here are some of the biggest pros and cons that you should consider:
Pros:
- Quick closing: House-buying companies can typically close within a week, allowing you to access cash quickly without the usual waiting period for buyer financing.
- No repairs needed: You can sell your house as-is, avoiding the cost and hassle of making repairs, which is ideal if your home needs significant work.
- No staging or showings: Eliminate the need for staging and continuous showings, saving you time and inconvenience.
- Simplified process: The sale involves fewer contingencies, which means fewer complications and a straightforward transaction.
Cons:
- Lower offers: You will likely receive an offer below market value, as these companies need to profit from reselling the property.
- Limited negotiation: Offers from these companies are typically non-negotiable, take-it-or-leave-it deals, leaving you with less control over the sale price.
- Potential for scams: Not all house-buying companies are reputable. Some may engage in scams, so it’s crucial to perform due diligence.
- Less market exposure: Selling directly to a cash buyer means missing out on potential higher offers that might come from broader market exposure.
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 Vancouver home quickly
iBuyers
iBuyers, or instant buyers, use automated valuation models (AVMs) to quickly offer near-market value cash for homes that are in good condition. These companies provide a streamlined, mostly online selling process that can close in days. Established companies like Opendoor and Offerpad may charge fees of around 5%-6%. Learn more about the iBuyer process.
Listing with an agent
Though not the fastest route, listing your home with a real estate agent can yield higher selling prices, especially in seller-friendly markets. Agents offer valuable market insights through a comparative market analysis (CMA), which is often free. This detailed analysis helps set competitive pricing to potentially attract quick offers, some even in cash. For connecting with top agents, HomeLight can help.
FAQs on Vancouver house-buying companies
By and large, most We Buy Houses for Cash companies in Vancouver 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 Vancouver 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 Vancouver bungalow could sell for $490,000 after repairs, but it will need $30,000 of work to get there.
($490,000 x .70) – $30,000 = $313,000
In this example, a Vancouver We Buy Houses company might offer you around $313,000 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 Vancouver 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 Vancouver 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 Vancouver vs. top Vancouver 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 Vancouver | Sell with a top Realtor in Vancouver |
Selling timeline | 7 to 30 days | 81 days average; 39 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 Vancouver is worth about $450,000 and needs about $25,000 in repairs. Once the repairs are completed, the home might be worth around $475,000.
Sell to a We Buy Houses for Cash company in Vancouver | Sell with a top Realtor in Vancouver | |
Estimated sale price | ($475,000 x .70) – $25,000 = $307,500 | $450,000 |
Market preparations | 0 | $4,500 (1% of sale price) |
Agent commissions | 0 | $26,100 (5.8% of sale price) |
Closing costs | 0 | $6,750 (1.5%) |
Estimated take-home for seller | $307,500 | $412,650 |
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
- Speed of sale: Selling your Vancouver home to a house-buying company can be one of the fastest ways to close on your property.
- No repairs necessary: You can sell your home as-is, avoiding the time and expense of making any repairs.
- Simple process: The selling process is straightforward, with fewer steps and less paperwork than traditional real estate transactions.
- Consider market value: Be aware that you might receive less than the market value when you sell to a cash-for-homes company.
- 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 Vancouver agent.
Header Image Source: (Roger Starnes Sr/Unsplash)