We Buy Houses companies in Los Angeles make all-cash offers for homes that often need some work, enabling sellers who lack the time, expertise, and money for repairs to move quickly and receive the cash proceeds from their home sooner if they need it.
Perhaps you need to leave Southern California fast for an employment opportunity in another state. Or maybe you’re facing an unplanned life change or a major financial challenge with an impending deadline. Or you may need to cash out an inherited property to settle an estate. Whatever your reasons, selling your LA home quickly to a We Buy Houses for Cash company could be the best solution.
Need to Sell Your House Fast in Los Angeles?
Get an all-cash, no-obligation offer through HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform whenever you’re ready. Receive your offer in as little as 24 hours and close in as few as 10 days. No showings, no repairs, no open houses. Available to sellers in the Los Angeles area.
However, before you request a cash offer, it’s important to understand how much an LA house-buying company might offer for your home and consider your options. Once you’re familiar with the process, you can opt to select a company on our list of top contenders and get moving.
Disclaimer: This post is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Links and mentions of Los Angeles area “We Buy Houses” companies should not be considered endorsements.
Working with house-buying companies in Los Angeles
We Buy Houses companies in Los Angeles typically promise to give homesellers 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:
- Contact the company: Find a reputable house-buying company in LA and provide them with details of your property.
- Schedule an evaluation: The company will schedule a time to visit your home and assess its condition and value.
- Receive an offer: After the evaluation, the company will present you with a cash offer, typically within 24 to 48 hours.
- Accept the offer: If you agree to the terms, you will accept the cash offer and proceed with the sale.
- Close the deal: The company will handle the necessary paperwork and coordinate the closing process, often within a few weeks.
- Receive your payment: At closing, you will receive the agreed-upon cash amount, and the transaction is complete.
Note: Individual program details frequently change. Please visit a company’s website for the most up-to-date information. HomeLight always recommends doing your own research to determine which selling option is best for your situation.
Popular We Buy Houses for Cash companies in Los Angeles
If these benefits of selling to a house-buying company in LA sound good to you, it’s time to find a legitimate operation you can trust.
We’ve compiled a list of some of the top companies that will pay cash for your parents’ California bungalow or Tudor cottage. By selling to one of these companies, you should be able to sell your Los Angeles home in as little as a week or two.
SoCal Home Buyers
Founded by husband-and-wife team Doug and Andrea Van Soest in 2011, SoCal Home Buyers is a professional real estate investment company that buys all types of houses — fixer-uppers, inherited properties, turnkey homes and more — in every condition, and they even work with sellers who are facing foreclosure. They boast the ability to close in as few as seven days, but they also offer more flexible 10- to 30-day closing windows.
Doug and Andrea Van Soest were inspired to start their first business after reading the book Rich Dad, Poor Dad. Before they began flipping homes, they owned their own kettle corn business. Their business plans changed, but their guiding principles remained. SoCal Home Buyers aims to be a “reliable, trustworthy, home-selling solution,” and has brought more than 500 hassle-free sales to closing.
Locations: Headquartered in Riverside County, SoCal Home Buyers also buys homes in San Bernardino County, Los Angeles County, Orange County, and San Diego County.
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; SoCal Home Buyers covers them.
SoCal Home Buyers was founded in 2011 and has been BBB accredited since 2018 with an A+ rating. They also boast a 4.8-star average on Google. Customer reviews for SoCal Home Buyers speak to a highly understandable transaction process with lots of flexibility for closing dates, fulfilled promises, and friendly, courteous service. Many reviews express feeling “in the loop” and cared for throughout the process, and being delighted by the team’s personalized, handwritten thank you notes, Starbucks gift cards, and frequent check-ins.
Simple Sale (a HomeLight platform)
Simple Sale, a solution from HomeLight, is an online platform where sellers in Los Angeles 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, and 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 locations throughout Los Angeles.
With Simple Sale, you can get an 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 Los Angeles
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 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.
Website: homelight.com/simple
Phone: 844-488-8455
Tarek Buys Houses
Founded in 2017 by HGTV star Tarek El Moussa, Tarek Buys Houses is a cash homebuyer. The company offers to purchase your outdated or distressed home and turn your house into cash in as few as seven days. They’ll even help you find and secure financing for your next home through their partnership with US Lending.
Locations: Throughout Southern California, with featured markets including Orange County and Los Angeles County
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; Tarek Buys Houses covers them.
Tarek Buys Houses has been BBB accredited since 2021 and has an A+ rating. On Google, the company has more than 60 reviews and a 4.6-star rating. Customer reviews for Tarek Buys Houses speak to the numerous homes bought for cash from people who were burdened by the home and in a bind: homes of aging relatives moved into care, inherited homes, unwanted condos, unaffordable homes after losses of income, and more. They express a painless cash sale process and clear, step-by-step communication.
Website: tarekbuyshouses.com
Phone: 866-419-4117
Mrs. Property Solutions
Founded in 2016, Mrs. Property Solutions buys LA homes for cash in seven days, or on the seller’s timeline. Testimonials mention the low-hassle sales process, adaptiveness, and personal touches this company strives to bring sellers.
Among the ways Mrs. Property Solutions brings transparency to the quick cash sale process is by letting sellers in on the formula investors use to calculate the offer price. Their team lays out the process for you, showing you your home’s numbers. They also buy houses in any condition — rooms packed with clutter, asphalt cracking, you name it — so you can complete the sale quickly, and have more money in your pocket.
Locations: Headquartered in Redondo Beach, Mrs. Property Solutions expanded to provide fast cash sales in all California markets.
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; Mrs. Property Solutions covers them.
While Mrs. Property Solutions is not currently BBB accredited, but has an A+ rating. The company has earned a perfect 5-star rating from customers on Google with nearly 40 reviews. Customer reviews for Mrs. Property Solutions speak to the friendly and authentic ethos they bring to cash sales. Reviews express satisfaction with the team’s strong follow-through, transparency, and flexible closing dates.
Website: mrspropertysolutions.com
Phone: 323-402-5845
We Buy Los Angeles
Founded in 2021, We Buy Los Angeles specializes in providing cash offers for “burdensome homes” — like that home you inherited in a state you don’t live in, or your starter home that’s keeping you tethered in LA, when you just got a job offer in Cleveland — and they boast making an offer for your home in as little as seven minutes over the phone. That means you won’t need to clean, or even empty out the fridge.
Locations: Headquartered in Beverly Hills and buying homes for cash in Los Angeles and surrounding counties
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; We Buy Los Angeles covers them.
We Buy Los Angeles has been BBB accredited since 2021 with an A+ rating. Customer reviews for We Buy Los Angeles average 4.9 stars on Google and speak to the seller’s satisfaction with the cash offers they’ve received and the knowledge and personability that We Buy Los Angeles brings to the table. In particular, reviews express how deftly and quickly We Buy Los Angeles was able to take a burdensome home situation and turn it into a speedy, fair cash sale.
Website: webuyla.com
Phone: 323-576-7224
John Medina Buys Houses
John Medina Buys Houses, founded in 2014, is a San Pedro-based homebuying company focused on fast, simple transactions. They advertise no fees and an easy, stress-free transaction process. Owners John and Yvette Medina are in the business of fixing and flipping houses, which means they’ll buy your home in disrepair for cash and flip it for a profit. Among the company’s core qualities listed are integrity and excellent customer service.
Locations: Los Angeles 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 with an A+ rating and a 5-star rating. Customer reviews for John Medina Buys Houses speak to the professionalism and the knowledge that the company’s team brings to selling your home for cash. They express feeling comfortable because of the company’s ongoing and thorough communication. In addition, many reviews cite the easy transaction process, from initial consultation through closing. That service has earned them a 4.7-star rating on Google.
Website: johnmedinabuyshouses.com
Phone: 310-928-9688
Why sell your Los Angeles house for cash?
There are plenty of valid reasons a Los Angeles homeseller may choose to work with a cash-for-homes company. Leading the list are the benefits of speed, certainty, and remarkable convenience.
In Los Angeles, it typically takes about 82 days to sell a home on the market using an agent. That includes an average of 39 days on the market, plus the typical 43 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 LA, 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 of the most common reasons homeowners choose to sell their homes for cash:
If you are a homeowner facing any of these circumstances, requesting a cash offer from a We Buy Houses company might be a good option to consider. However, it’s prudent to think of this as a starting point in your search for solutions. You won’t know if it’s your best move until you know more about other options available to you, which we’ll help you review in a minute.
Pros and cons of house-buying companies in Los Angeles
One of the biggest advantages of working with We Buy Houses for Cash companies in LA is that you can sell your home as-is with no repairs required, and they’ll buy homes in any condition.
If your home was severely damaged in a weather event, or you’ve fallen years behind on routine maintenance, you can still sell without needing to make the extensive repairs that financed buyers may require.
Here are some other pros to consider:
Pros to We Buy Houses for Cash in Los Angeles
Speed: You can typically sell your house in as few as seven to 10 days, providing a quick solution for urgent situations.
Buy as-is: Companies will buy your house as-is, meaning no repairs or cleaning are required before the sale.
Certainty: These companies offer firm cash deals with few or no contingencies, ensuring a smoother, more predictable process.
Convenience: Skip the hassle of showings, open houses, and negotiations, making the sale process much easier and less stressful.
Cons to We Buy Houses for Cash in Los Angeles
The most significant con of selling to a house-buying company is that they will likely offer below market value for your home compared to selling on the market with an experienced real estate agent. Here are some of the key drawbacks:
Lower offers: Expect offers to be lower than what you might receive on the open market.
Potential for scams: Be cautious of scams and dishonest companies; always vet your buyers.
Limited negotiation: There’s typically little to no room for negotiating the price.
No agent expertise: You miss out on the professional guidance and market knowledge that a real estate agent provides.
Your home is more than a place where you make memories with family; it’s also likely your biggest asset. Sure, you want to sell quickly, but you could be leaving major money on the table if you choose to work with one of these We Buy Houses for Cash companies.
Always do your research, compare your options, and consult with a trusted advisor before accepting any offer.
Vet cash buyers and know your home’s worth
For many homesellers, We Buy Houses for Cash companies can be a solid solution to get a property sold quickly or to access cash for an expected life challenge. On the other hand, the “cash for your home” rehabbing business model has also led to what some housing advocates call predatory tactics.
The level of integrity and customer service you experience can vary, even within an established house-buying company that strives to maintain consistent business standards. This is because many We Buy Houses for Cash companies are franchises and often use independent investors or local wholesaling outfits. Your experience greatly depends on the character of the person or group making the offer.
If you are considering 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.
Get a home value estimate
Before committing to a We Buy Houses for Cash company, HomeLight suggests you consult with a top agent to get a better idea of what your home might be worth if sold on the open market. Then compare cash offers to what a top agent might be able to get for your home. HomeLight can connect you with a top-performing agent in your market.
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.
You can also use HomeLight’s free home value estimator right now to get an initial ballpark estimate in less than two minutes.
Other options to sell your home quickly
iBuyers
iBuyers, or instant buyers, use automated valuation models (AVMs) to offer near-instant home value estimates. They provide a mostly online experience, offering all-cash deals typically closer to market value for homes in good condition. The iBuyer process from offer to closing is quick, usually within a few days to two weeks. However, companies like Opendoor and Offerpad charge service fees of 5% to 6%.
Listing with an agent
Listing with a top real estate agent can also result in a fast sale, especially in a seller-friendly market. An agent can provide a comparative market analysis (CMA), which helps determine an appropriate listing price and estimate the time to sell. Many agents offer CMAs, often free.
Partnering with a proven agent can yield the highest selling price and they may even connect you with buyers offering cash closer to market value. If you are interested in exploring the agent option, HomeLight can connect you with a top-performing real estate agent in your area today.
Key takeaways
- We Buy Houses for Cash companies in Los Angeles can make it possible to conveniently sell your home in as few as seven days with no repairs, open houses, or showings.
- There are a number of reputable cash-for-homes companies serving Los Angeles.
- Using a We Buy Houses company could mean leaving a significant amount of money on the table compared to an agent-assisted or iBuyer sale.
- HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform provides no-obligation all-cash offers for homes in almost any condition in Los Angeles — and nationwide. 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.
FAQs on Los Angeles house-buying companies
By and large, most We Buy Houses for Cash companies 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 legitimate.
That said, as with any financial transaction, it’s a good idea to be on 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.
Most We Buy Houses for Cash companies apply the 70% rule, meaning they’ll offer you about 70% of your home’s after-repair value (ARV), 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 Palmdale bungalow could sell for $510,000 after repairs, but it’s going to need $30,000 of work to get there.
($510,000 x .70) – $30,000 = $327,000
In this example, a Los Angeles We Buy Houses company might offer you about $327,000 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 We Buy Houses for Cash company, you likely will be coming to grips with a two-edged sword. On 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 ask the company if there are any hidden program fees that might affect your bottom line.
- Research and vet the house-buying companies that serve your 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. Consider 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 Los Angeles vs. top Los Angeles 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 look 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 Los Angeles | Sell with a top Realtor® in Los Angeles |
| Selling timeline | 7 to 30 days | 82 days average; 39 to attract an offer, 43 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 condo in Downtown LA is currently worth about $970,000 and needs about $25,000 in repairs. Once the repairs are completed, the condo might be worth about $995,000.
| Sell to a We Buy Houses for Cash company in Los Angeles | Sell with a top Realtor in Los Angeles | |
| Estimated sale price | ($995,000 x .70) – $25,000 = $671,500 | $970,000 |
| Market preparations | 0 | $9,700 (1% of sale price) |
| Agent commissions | 0 | $56,260 (5.8% of sale price) |
| Closing costs | 0 | $14,550 (1.5%) |
| Estimated take-home for seller | $671,500 | $889,490 |
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.
House-buying companies can be a good alternative for Los Angeles sellers in need of a quick home sale, but it’s important to consider both the benefits and drawbacks. When it comes to selling your home, it’s wise to avoid making any hasty decisions.
Before committing to a cash-for-homes company, gather multiple offers and take the time to weigh your options. Consider consulting with a top agent for expert insights on how soon, and for how much, your property might sell on the market. Whatever you decide, HomeLight would be happy to help with your real estate needs!
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