When life changes unexpectedly, selling your Atlanta home quickly might suddenly be at the top of your to-do list. Maybe you’ve landed a new job in another state, or perhaps an urgent medical situation with a loved one has prompted the need for a quicker transition. As you deal with the overwhelming emotional and financial pressures, you face the tough task of figuring out how to sell fast while still getting a fair deal. Fortunately, there’s a viable solution: partnering with a “We Buy Houses” Atlanta company.
Need to Sell Your House Fast in Atlanta?
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 Georgia.
These firms provide instant cash offers regardless of the property’s condition, closing in as little as a month or a week. However, before you request one, it’s important to understand how much an Atlanta house-buying company might offer for your home and weigh your options. Once you’re familiar with the process, you can opt to select a company on our list of some of the 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 Atlanta “We Buy Houses” companies should not be considered endorsements.
Working with house-buying companies in Atlanta
We Buy Houses companies in Atlanta typically promise quick, all-cash offers and ultra-fast closings, often in as few as seven days. They tend to target distressed properties in need of repairs and work with sellers who need to move ASAP.
Here’s how the process generally works:
- You request an offer and provide the company with some information about your home. Some companies may make a preliminary offer at this stage, but it’s usually subject to change once they’ve inspected your property.
- The company completes a walk-through of your property, usually within 24 to 48 hours.
- The company makes a firm offer, usually within 24 hours, but sometimes on-site after the walk-through, which you can accept or decline. Most of these companies will not negotiate on price, so the offer is a take-it-or-leave-it scenario.
- If you accept the offer, you’ll both sign a contract, and the closing process will begin. Some companies offer a large deposit or moving cost assistance, and a few may even pay for the home upfront.
- Closing and getting paid is quick, typically 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 Atlanta
If the process of selling to a house-buying company in Atlanta 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 parent’s Victorian or your Buckhead contemporary. By selling to one of these companies, you should be able to sell your Atlanta home in as little as a week or two.
Note: Individual program details frequently change. Please visit the 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.
Better House Buyers
This local house-buyer based in Smyrna, Georgia has been buying houses in Atlanta since 2014. It purchases properties in any condition and promises to give fair rather than low-ball offers on as-is homes. The company performs an inspection and presents sellers with a no-obligation offer and the flexibility to choose their closing date. Better House Buyers says they’ll pay cash in as little as seven days.
Locations: Georgia and other states, such as North Carolina and Tennessee
Closing costs: Seller pays no closing costs; Better House Buyers covers them.
With several favorable Google reviews, Better House Buyers holds a perfect 5.0-star rating. Past clients said that they enjoyed working with the team, with one calling the transaction the “greatest experience.” Others vouched for the company’s honesty and said that they would recommend Better House Buyers to homeowners needing a quick sale.
Website: betterhousebuyers.com
Phone: 404-341-4449
Simple Sale (a HomeLight platform)
Simple Sale, a solution from HomeLight, is an online platform where sellers in Atlanta (and across the country) can request a cash offer for their home. It has a vast network of cash buyers, 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 different locations throughout Atlanta. With this platform, you can get an all-cash offer in as few as 24 hours and sell your home in as little as 10 days, skipping the months it can take to sell the traditional way.
Locations: Nationwide, including Atlanta
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 accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) with an A+ rating. Based on hundreds of reviews, the company generated 4.8 stars on Google.
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
We Buy Houses Hotlanta
Founded in 2014, We Buy Houses Hotlanta is a family-owned business that specializes in “creative solutions” to help Atlanta homeowners sell their property quickly and easily. The company states that they regularly provide solutions for sellers in a pending foreclosure or facing bankruptcy and will buy houses in any condition, even homes requiring complete renovations. They advertise a simple three-step process that starts with inputting an address on the website, followed by a showing and flexible closing date. The company says that they treat every house as a customized deal unique to the particular property.
Locations: Greater Atlanta metropolitan area
Closing costs: Seller pays no closing costs; We Buy Houses Hotlanta covers them.
We Buy Houses Hotlanta earned an impressive 4.7 out of 5 stars on its Google Business Profile. Some past customers commended the team’s patience in understanding their situation and explaining home sale options. Others praised the fair offers and fast transactions. These reviewers said they’ll recommend the housebuying company’s services to other homeowners.
Website: webuyhouseshotlanta.com
Phone: 404-590-0247
Cash House Buyers 4 You
Since 2020, this company has been committed to facilitating fast home sale transactions. It provides fair, no-obligation cash offers within 24 hours of receiving property information. It purchases houses in any condition, even uninhabitable, fire-damaged properties, those with bad tenants or liens, and those upside down on the mortgage. Cash House Buyers 4 You promises flexible closings in as little as seven days.
Locations: Atlanta and surrounding areas in Georgia
Closing costs: Seller pays no closing costs; Cash House Buyers 4 You covers them.
Accredited by the BBB with an A+ rating, Cash House Buyers 4 You has generated more than 30 reviews and a 5.0-star rating. Past customers praised the company’s outstanding customer service, easy, fast transactions, and professional communications. Others noted that they were able to sell their property fast even though their house needed major repairs.
Website: cashhousebuyers4you.com
Phone: 470-486-6600
Maximum Cash Home Buyers
Founded in 2018, this company, run by husband and wife team Chris and Megan Burrow, began buying and renovating homes years before, in 2009, committed to becoming the most reliable cash house-buyer in Georgia. It offers fast closings, fair offers, and “a headache-free process.” The company says they focus on each seller’s unique situation to build a “win-win” solution. Maximum Cash Home Buyers purchases properties in any condition, even those with the presence of mold, in need of major repairs, have tax liens or problem tenants.
Locations: Atlanta, surrounding areas in Georgia
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; Maximum Cash Home Buyers covers them.
Maximum Cash Home Buyers has a 5.0-star rating from more than 70 Google reviews. Reviewers say that the company was “honest and transparent,” “friendly and professional,” and that they received a “great offer” on their home. Others said that the staff’s assistance was valuable as they navigated difficult circumstances, with one saying they were able to avoid foreclosure.
Maximum Cash Home Buyers has an A+ rating with the BBB and has been accredited since 2023.
Website: maximumcashhomebuyers.com
Phone: 678-562-6926
Georgia Fair Offer
Georgia Fair Offer guarantees a no-obligation fair cash offer for properties in any condition. This means residents can sell their homes without making any repairs or clean-ups. Since one of the company’s non-negotiables is being a helper, not a haggler, it promises to provide fair offers to clients, while helping them through tough life situations, such as foreclosure and divorce. On top of that, the team facilitates a fast closing process, completing it in as little as two weeks.
Locations: Atlanta and surrounding areas in Georgia
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; Georgia Fair Offer covers them.
Georgia Fair Offer has earned an A+ rating on BBB, having been accredited since 2021. Meanwhile, its Google Business Profile has a perfect 5.0-star rating, reflecting the company’s dedication to the highest quality of customer service. Clients appreciated the smooth transaction, great cash offers, and fast closing. Others acknowledged the staff’s in-depth real estate knowledge and local market. Additionally, sellers out of state commended the seamless process.
Website: georgiafairoffer.com
Phone: 404-855-0944
Why sell for cash in Atlanta?
There are plenty of reasons an Atlanta seller may choose to go the cash-for-homes route, with speed and certainty being chief among them.
In Atlanta, it typically takes about 91 days to sell a home on the market using an agent. That includes 47 days on the market plus the typical 44 days it takes to close on a purchase loan.
Compare that to the typical seven days promised by many We Buy Houses for Cash companies in Atlanta, and you can see why these companies remain popular, even though they don’t always offer top dollar.
Not every seller has months to prep, market, show, and close. Let’s look at some common reasons Atlanta sellers choose cash-for-homes companies over listing the traditional way.
- The home has major repair issues common in Atlanta, such as foundation damage from poor drainage and outdated electrical systems.
- The seller needs to move or cash in quickly due to divorce, job relocation, medical needs, financial stress, etc.
- The seller doesn’t have the means or desire to make repairs.
- The seller doesn’t want to bother prepping the home, dealing with showings, negotiating, or navigating a long sales process.
- The seller prefers the privacy of selling their home off-market to a cash buyer.
- The seller is in the foreclosure process and wants to sell the home and settle up with the lender before it’s too late.
- The seller inherited a property and wants to unload it as quickly as possible.
- The seller is a landlord who has problem tenants or no longer wishes to manage a rental property.
- The aging homeowner decided to downsize and move into a care facility, prompting their family to sell the home.
- The seller is living out of state and prefers the ease of a cash sale.
If any of these sounds like you, requesting a cash offer from a We Buy Houses for Cash company might be a good starting point, though it’s not your only option, and it may not be your best move (we’ll dive into your other options in just a minute).
Pros and cons of house-buying companies in Atlanta
By now, you’ve probably figured out that We Buy Houses for Cash companies in Atlanta are a bit of a mixed bag. You get speed and service, but you may be concerned about not maximizing returns from the quick home sale. Let’s walk through a few pros and cons while considering your options.
Pros to We Buy Houses for Cash in Atlanta
One of the biggest advantages of working with We Buy Houses for Cash companies in Atlanta 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:
- Speedy transaction: You can often sell your home in as few as seven days.
- Guaranteed sale: Since the company does a pre-offer walk-through, their offer is firm and comes with few (if any) contingencies. Cash-for-house companies are experts at clearing roadblocks and closing deals.
- No repairs: Again, if your home is in rough shape and you don’t have the funds or the patience to make repairs, you can skip them altogether and save yourself the stress.
- Less hassle: You don’t have to deal with staging, hosting open houses, fielding offers, negotiating with picky buyers, worrying about the appraisal, or stressing about the buyer’s financing falling through. Overall, reputable We Buy Houses for Cash companies in Atlanta offer a smooth ride from offer to close.
That all may sound pretty great to you as a seller if you’re looking to move within weeks rather than the months it might take you to list and sell your home on the market with an agent. However, there are downsides to working with cash-for-homes companies. Namely, they typically offer substantially below market value for your home.
Cons to We Buy Houses for Cash in Atlanta
When considering an offer from a We Buy Houses site, remember that these are house-buying companies, which means they’re ultimately trying to make a profit. They plan to fix up your home and either resell it or rent it out. That takes considerable time, skill, and investment.
Here are some potential downsides to consider:
- Lower offers: Most companies follow the 70% rule, meaning they’ll offer you 70% of your home’s after-repair value (or the value that your house could sell for on the market once it’s all fixed up) and then deduct repair costs. The price you get for your home may be appreciably lower than what you’d get on the market.
- Inconsistent market knowledge: Not all cash home-buying companies are equal. Some are more localized, have specific neighborhood knowledge, and are able to leverage that expertise into more competitive offers. Others are less knowledgeable about the specifics of your community, which could result in lowball bids.
- Untrustworthy companies: Some companies make extremely low offers to desperate homeowners. A few bad players may even engage in fraud, though it’s uncommon.
- Pressure tactics: These companies know that homeowners looking to sell quickly are often in dire situations, and some do take advantage of that by using pressure tactics. You should never feel forced to accept an offer, especially since there are plenty of We Buy Houses for Cash companies in Atlanta from which to choose. If anyone makes you uncomfortable, it’s time to move on to another option.
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 don’t consider if you don’t consider other avenues for a quick sale.
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 home sellers, We Buy Houses for Cash companies can be a solid solution to selling a property quickly or accessing 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.
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 Atlanta. You can also try our 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
Within the cash-for-homes business, you’ll encounter a particular group of companies known as iBuyers or instant buyers.
iBuyer companies offer sellers many of the same conveniences of other house-buying operations, but they leverage algorithmic technology, otherwise known as automated valuation models (AVMs), to make a near-instant offer on your home and provide a user-friendly, mostly online home-sale experience.
iBuyers have been around since the mid-2010s, and are widely available across Georgia. They offer all cash and can close in a matter of days to a few weeks. But unlike more traditional We Buy Houses for Cash companies, iBuyers tend to look for homes in better condition and offer much closer to market value, typically in the 85% to 95% range.
However, one thing to note is that major iBuyers like Opendoor and Offerpad usually charge sizable fees for their services, about 5% to 6%.
Sellers who may be a good fit to work with an iBuyer in Atlanta include those who prefer to skip staging and showing their home, live in an area with somewhat similar housing, and have a home in relatively good shape.
Listing with an agent
You want to sell your house quickly, not in 91 days. But hear us out! With many housing markets being largely seller-friendly, you can sell your home quickly, especially if it’s priced strategically.
Going with an agent could pay off big time. Selling on the market generally fetches the highest home price, and that’s especially true if you work with a skilled professional. Our internal transaction data at HomeLight shows that the top 5% of real estate agents sell homes for up to 10% more than average agents.
This is a big financial decision, so it may make sense to consult with a trusted real estate agent who can complete a comparative market analysis (CMA) to help you understand your home’s value and how quickly it’s likely to sell.
Your agent may even be able to connect you with cash buyers who are willing to offer closer to the property’s market value.
Plus, a CMA is usually free, and you’re under no obligation to list with the agent, so this may be a good tool to explore your options. Even if you end up deciding to work with a cash-for-homes company, at least you’ll know you’re making a sound financial decision.
Feeling overwhelmed trying to find an agent? HomeLight would be happy to connect you with a top performer in your area today.
FAQs on Atlanta house-buying companies
Most We Buy Houses for Cash companies are legitimate, as this business model has been around for decades.
However, it’s always a good idea to watch out for scams or anything that just doesn’t seem right. Always thoroughly research companies ahead of time. Verify all professional licenses, check customer reviews, get a referral if possible, and vet the company on the BBB website.
As mentioned, most cash-for-homes companies follow the 70% rule, meaning they’ll offer you 70% of your home’s after-repair value, and then deduct the repair costs.
Here’s what that simple formula looks like:
(Your home’s ARV x .70) – repair costs
Now let’s take a look at a practical example. Let’s say your Atlanta plantation house could sell for $400,000 after repairs, but it’s going to need $30,000 of work to get there.
($400,000 x .70) – $30,000 = $250,000
In this example, an Atlanta cash-for-homes company will probably offer you about $250,000 for your property.
However, different types of house-buying companies will offer varying amounts for homes. As mentioned previously, iBuyers tend to pay more like 85% to 95% of market value while charging a fee for their services.
Selling a home to a We Buy Houses for Cash company shouldn’t cost you any money, but you’ll likely get less overall for your home.
Since these companies are geared toward distressed homes, they tend to have zero fees, and will even cover your closing costs. That means the offer you get is the price you should walk away with. Make sure to ask about any hidden program fees that could eat into your bottom line.
- Research and vet house-buying companies available in your area. The above list is a great place to start.
- Submit offer requests to your top few companies.
- Schedule any on-site visits.
- Field and compare offers. Choose the best option for you.
- Close in a week to 30 days and get paid (or you can often choose a later closing date, up to 90 days after receiving the offer).
We Buy Houses for Cash in Atlanta vs. top Atlanta agent
Wondering how a We Buy Houses for Cash company stacks up against working with a real estate agent? We’ve got you covered.
| Aspect of the sale | Sell to a We Buy Houses for Cash company in Atlanta | Sell with a top Realtor® in Atlanta |
| Sale timeline | 7 to 30 days | 91 days average; 47 to attract an offer, 44 to close the loan |
| Home preparations | None | Make necessary repairs, deep clean, declutter, landscape, stage home |
| Showings | None | 10 to 25 showings average |
| Inspections / repairs | None | May need to make repairs for the buyer or renegotiate price |
| Appraisal | None | May need to lower the price if the appraisal comes in low |
| Title search | Cash-for-homes companies often handle title issues | Must clear the title before you can sell the home |
| Financing contingency | None | Mortgaged buyers use a financing contingency that could hold up the deal if the loan doesn’t clear |
| Agent commission | None | 3% to 5.8% of the sale price |
| Closing costs | None | 1% to 3% of the sale price on top of the agent commission |
Example net proceeds
Let’s say your Craftsman home in Atlanta is currently worth about $385,000 and needs about $15,000 in repairs. Once the repairs are made, the home should be worth about $400,000.
| Sell to a We Buy Houses for Cash company in Atlanta | Sell with a top Realtor® in Atlanta | |
| Estimated sale price | ($400,000 x .70) – $15,000 = $265,000 | $385,000 |
| Market preparations | 0 | $3,850 (1% of the sale price) |
| Agent commissions | 0 | $11,550 (3% of the sale price) |
| Closing costs | 0 | $5,775 (1.5% of the sale price) |
| Estimated take-home for seller | $265,000 | $363,825 |
Financially, it’s usually in your best interest to go with a top agent. Still, selling on the open market could be challenging depending on the condition of your home and any repairs needed.
Key takeaways
- We Buy Houses for Cash companies in Atlanta can help you sell your home in as few as seven days without repairs, showings, or hassles.
- There are many reputable cash home-buying companies across Atlanta, and most sellers going this route can find a company that suits their needs.
- Using a cash-for-homes company instead of a top agent or iBuyer could leave significant money on the table.
- HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform provides no-obligation, all-cash offers for homes in almost any condition in Atlanta. 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.
House-buying companies can be a good alternative for Atlanta sellers in need of a quick exit from homeownership, but they’re not without drawbacks. However you choose to sell your home, it’s important to avoid making a hasty decision.
For best results, consider your options, gather offers from multiple companies, and consult with a top agent to see how easily your property could sell on the market. Whatever you decide, HomeLight would be happy to help with your real estate needs.
Writer Chelsea Levinson contributed to this post.
Header Image Source: (Edem Tudzi / Unsplash)
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