In the sprawling landscape of the Inland Empire, California — which consists of the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario metropolitan area — homeowners who need to sell their houses fast are turning to “We Buy Houses for Cash” companies. These firms extend all-cash offers, especially for homes that might be a bit worn around the edges or in need of a touch-up.
If you’re someone who doesn’t have the time, expertise, or funds to invest in repairs, such a cash sale can be a lifesaver. It swiftly provides you with the proceeds, allowing you to move forward with whatever life throws your way.
Navigating through unexpected or urgent situations can be challenging. Selling to a cash-for-homes company in the Inland Empire might just be the solution you’ve been seeking. In this post, we’ll review the process, the pros and cons, and other options to help you make an informed decision.
Need to Sell Your Inland Empire House Fast?
Get an all-cash, no-obligation offer through HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform whenever you’re ready. Receive your offer in 24 hours and close in as few as 10 days. No showings, no repairs, no open houses. Available to sellers throughout the Inland Empire.
Disclaimer: This post is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Links and mentions of Inland Empire area “We Buy Houses” companies should not be considered endorsements.
Working with house-buying companies in the Inland Empire
We Buy Houses companies in the Inland Empire 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 the Inland Empire 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 Inland Empire
If the process of selling to a house-buying company in the Inland Empire 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 Riverside modern-style home or your parents’ Spanish Colonial-style house in San Bernardino. By selling to one of these companies, you should be able to sell your Inland Empire home in as little as a week or two.
SoCal Homebuyers
Founded in 2008, SoCal Home Buyers is a real estate investment company owned by a husband and wife team. Their team offers a quick, fair cash offer with no hidden fees, required repairs, or real estate agent commissions. They aim to make the real estate transaction process straightforward and stress-free, regardless of the circumstances. The company buys houses in Inland Empire neighborhoods, such as Riverside County and San Bernardino County, and also in Orange, Los Angeles, and San Diego counties. SoCal Home Buyers buys houses “as-is” and promises to sell houses in as little as seven days.
Locations: Southern California, including the Inland Empire
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs or fees; SoCal Home Buyers covers them.
SoCal Home Buyers has been accredited with the Better Business Bureau since 2018 and holds an A+ rating. SoCal Home Buyers has a 4.8-star rating on Google, and customer reviews back up the company’s claims of “completing the transaction on the day promised” and making the process “easier than expected.”
Website: socalhomebuyers.com
Phone number: 951-331-3844
Simple Sale (a HomeLight platform)
Simple Sale, a solution from HomeLight, is an online platform where sellers in the Inland Empire 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 the Inland Empire.
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 the Inland Empire
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 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.
Contact information: homelight.com/simple
Phone: 844-488-8455
Riverside Home Buyers
Riverside Home Buyers has more than 20 years experience in the real estate market and says it can close on your house in as few as five days. Home sellers just complete an online form and are then contacted by a Riverside Home Buyers real estate solutions specialist. In some situations, the company will need to gather additional information about your property before providing an offer. The company will schedule a time with you to view the property. Riverside Home Buyers will purchase homes in any condition, area, price range, or situation, including homes with tenants. They will buy your house as-is, so you don’t need to make any repairs.
Locations: Riverside, San Bernardino, and Los Angeles counties
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs or fees; Riverside Home Buyers covers them.
Riverside Home Buyers maintains a 4.8-star Google review rating. Past sellers comment on fast service and excellent follow-through, with several clients saying, “They did everything they said they would plus more.” Some reviewers remark that Tommy was easy to work with and ensured everything went smoothly. Another customer was grateful for exceptional help selling a house with tenants. The company is not currently listed on the BBB’s website.
Website: riversidehomebuyers.com
Phone number: 951-498-4366
HomeVestors of America, Inc.
Established in 1996, HomeVestors is a real estate franchise recognized as one of the top 100 companies in the Entrepreneur Franchise 500. This national investor serves customers in 48 states nationwide, including the Inland Empire in California. The company has purchased more than 140,000 houses nationwide. HomeVestors buys properties throughout the Inland Empire, including single-family houses, condos, duplexes, townhouses, and multi-family homes.
Locations: Nationwide, including the Inland Empire
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs or fees; HomeVestors covers them.
HomeVestors in Rancho Cucamonga, California, which is part of the Inland Empire, has an A+ rating with the BBB but is not currently accredited. Google reviewers give the company 5 stars, and customers report a positive experience working with Imelda, Darrel, and Sarah from HomeVestors, highlighting their professionalism, helpfulness, and innovative ideas. Reviews emphasize the team’s dedication to making the home-selling process smooth and enjoyable, with clients appreciating their courteous nature and exceptional support. Many customers express gratitude for the company’s help, noting that the team’s expertise and communication skills contribute to a seamless experience. Overall, clients feel confident recommending the team to friends and family due to their commitment to customer satisfaction.
Website: homevestors.com
Phone number: 972-761-0046 or 866-200-6475
Premier Property Buyers
Premier Property Buyers is a local family-owned company run by Eric and Jackie Nerwood out of Seal Beach. With a passion for flipping houses, the team has been in the real estate industry since 2003. The company buys as-is houses in various conditions and situations throughout Southern California, including neighborhoods in Riverside County, San Bernardino County, and other Inland Empire locations. Premier Property Buyers says it will make a cash offer within 24 hours. The company has helped homeowners sell their houses when they were going through a divorce, facing foreclosure, inheriting family homes, or needing to sell a house fast.
Locations: Southern California, including the Inland Empire
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs or fees; Premier Property Buyers covers them.
Premier Property Buyers has an A+ rating from the BBB and has been a BBB-accredited member since 2018. Customers praise Premier Property Buyers for being “true professionals” and “providing a fair cash offer.” Google reviewers have given the company 5 stars, and share overwhelmingly positive experiences working with Premier Property Buyers, highlighting the team’s professionalism, understanding, and accommodating nature. Reviewers appreciated the ease of the home-selling process, noting that team members were willing to negotiate and allowed sellers to stay in their homes after closing to ease their transitions. Many praised the team for their quick decision-making, integrity, and genuine care, creating a comfortable atmosphere throughout the transactions. Overall, customers highly recommend Premier Property Buyers for their exceptional service and dedication to client needs.
Website: premierpropertybuyers.com
Phone number: 714-475-7526
Why sell your Inland Empire house for cash?
There are plenty of valid reasons an Inland Empire home seller may choose to work with a cash-for-homes company. Leading the list are the benefits of speed, certainty, and remarkable convenience.
In the Inland Empire, it typically takes about 85 days to sell a home on the market using an agent. That includes an average of 41 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 the Inland Empire, and it’s clear why these We Buy Houses groups are an attractive option, even though they don’t always offer top dollar for the homes they purchase.
Let’s take a quick look at why a top We Buy Houses for Cash company in the Inland Empire might be an apt fit for your unique circumstances.
- Immediate relocation needs: Whether due to a sudden job transfer, divorce, family emergency, or other personal reasons, you might need to move without the prolonged waiting period of a traditional sale.
- Aging infrastructure: Homes in parts of the Inland Empire may show wear from time and the Southern California climate, requiring repairs that you’re unable or unwilling to tackle.
- Financial challenges: From mounting medical bills to other unforeseen expenses, a quick cash sale can provide necessary financial relief.
- Inherited properties: If you’ve inherited a home you neither want nor can manage, selling for cash is a straightforward solution.
- Avoiding foreclosure: Before your credit takes a hit or the situation exacerbates, selling for cash can help you settle debts with your lender.
- Rental property burdens: Maybe you’re a landlord tired of dealing with property management or problematic tenants and wish for a quick exit.
- Health transitions: As you or a loved one ages, selling a home quickly can facilitate a smooth move to a care facility or a relative’s place.
- Out-of-state living: Owning property in the Inland Empire while living elsewhere can be challenging. A cash sale simplifies this, especially if managing a sale from afar seems daunting.
If any of these situations resonate with you, considering a cash offer from a We Buy Houses company might be worth your time. Yet, it’s essential to approach this option as a potential solution among others. To determine its suitability for your unique circumstances, let’s look at the pros and cons of house-buying companies, and compare them to other available avenues in the Inland Empire.
Pros and cons of house-buying companies in Inland Empire
While We Buy Houses companies offer a distinct path to quickly sell your Inland Empire home, there are both advantages and disadvantages to consider.
Pros
The allure of house-buying companies often boils down to speed and convenience. You can skip the usual preparations and repairs, making it an enticing option. Let’s explore the primary benefits:
- Swift transactions: Selling to these companies often means closing deals in mere days or weeks, not months.
- No need for repairs: Your home is purchased as-is, eliminating the stress and cost of renovations or fixes.
- Bypass showings: No need to keep your house constantly show-ready or deal with numerous visitors.
- No commissions or closing costs: Unlike traditional real estate sales, there aren’t any agent commissions. And most We Buy Houses companies cover closing costs.
- Predictable closing: With cash buyers, there’s no waiting on financing approvals or potential buyer fall-throughs. Your sale is essentially guaranteed, with no worries about contingencies.
Cons
The major downside? You likely will not get top dollar for your property. Typically, these companies offer less than the potential market value you could fetch with an adept real estate agent. Here are the key drawbacks to consider:
- Lower offers: These companies aim for a profit, so typically they’ll offer below market value for your home.
- Limited negotiation: Most house-buying companies present a take-it-or-leave-it offer, reducing your ability to negotiate.
- Less personal touch: Depending on the company, the process may feel more transactional, lacking the personal touch and guidance you’d get from an agent.
- Chance of pressure tactics: While most We Buy Houses companies in California strive for a win-win solution, there is a chance of getting involved with a group that applies pressure tactics to take advantage of your urgent situation.
- Potential for scams: As with any industry, there are disreputable players. It’s crucial to do your research and choose a trusted company.
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
Selling your home in the Inland Empire to a We Buy Houses for Cash company is a significant step. While many of these companies operate with integrity, it’s crucial to remember that your experience will hinge largely on the character and professionalism of the individual or group behind the offer.
Before committing to a cash offer, it’s imperative to vet the company thoroughly. Dive into reviews, pore over testimonials, and scrutinize its track record in the market. And, as with any contract, ensure you read the buying agreement meticulously before signing, so you fully understand the terms and your obligations.
HomeLight suggests you consult with an experienced Inland Empire 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 local agent in your market.
You can also use HomeLight’s free Home Value Estimator right now to get an initial estimate in less than two minutes.
Other options to sell your Inland Empire home quickly
iBuyers
Emerging within the cash-for-homes realm are iBuyers or instant buyers. These companies, like Offerpad and Opendoor, blend traditional cash-buying benefits with automated valuation models (AVMs) for swift home offers. The technology-driven process evaluates your home’s value using historic and present market data, typically rendering offers closer to 90% of the market value.
iBuyers often promise quick sales, but they typically focus on homes that are in good condition and charge service fees between 5% and 6%. They are a great option for sellers who prefer online transactions, live in uniform housing areas, and own well-maintained properties.
Listing with an agent
Though it may seem counterintuitive in a We Buy Houses discussion, considering a real estate agent’s services can be fast and more profitable. In favorable markets, a top agent can facilitate swift sales with strategic pricing and expert marketing. HomeLight data reveals that the top 5% of agents sell homes for up to 10% more than average agents.
A seasoned Inland Empire agent can also provide you with a comparative market analysis (CMA), a report that can guide your pricing strategies and help gauge how quickly your home might sell. Many agents offer a CMA free when you schedule a consultation.
A local agent with connections might even introduce you to cash-ready buyers willing to match market-value offers. Explore this option further with a top-ranking HomeLight agent in your Southern California area.
FAQs on Inland Empire house-buying companies
Most We Buy Houses for Cash companies that serve the Inland Empire 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 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.
Most California 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 Inland Empire Spanish-style house could sell for $595,000 after repairs, but it’s going to need $30,000 of work to get there.
($595,000 x .70) – $30,000 = $386,500
In this example, an Inland Empire We Buy Houses company might offer you about $386,500 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 an Inland Empire We Buy Houses for Cash company, you may find yourself facing a double-edged sword. On one hand, there are typically no additional costs involved, as these companies handle nearly everything once you accept their offer. On the other hand, you might receive less money for your home overall.
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 California market. 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 Inland Empire vs. top Inland Empire 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 Inland Empire | Sell with a top Realtor® in Inland Empire |
| Selling timeline | 7 to 30 days | 85 days average; 41 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 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 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 home in the Inland Empire is currently worth about $585,000 and needs about $45,000 in repairs. Once the repairs are completed, the home might be worth about $630,000.
| Sell to a We Buy Houses for Cash company in Inland Empire | Sell with a top Realtor® in Inland Empire | |
| Estimated sale price | ($630,000 x .70) – $45,000 = $396,000 | $585,000 |
| Market preparations | 0 | $5,850 (1% of sale price) |
| Agent commissions | 0 | $17,550 (3% of sale price) |
| Closing costs | 0 | $8,775 (1.5%) |
| Estimated take-home for seller | $396,000 | $552,825 |
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 and convenience: We Buy Houses companies can expedite the home-selling process, often completing transactions in a matter of days or weeks.
- Condition flexibility: These companies typically purchase homes as-is, freeing sellers from the burden of repairs or renovations.
- Offer considerations: While fast, the offers from these companies usually are below the market value, so it’s essential to evaluate if the convenience outweighs potential financial drawbacks.
- Research is crucial: Before accepting any offer, vet the company’s reputation, read reviews, and understand the buying agreement’s terms.
- Explore all avenues: Traditional real estate agents and iBuyers provide alternatives to cash-for-homes services, each with their own sets of benefits.
- Know your home’s worth: Arm yourself with a comparative market analysis, which can provide insight into your home’s value based on current market conditions.
For those in the Inland Empire mulling over the house-buying company route, gathering multiple offers and taking a moment to assess all options is essential.
At HomeLight, we’re happy to lend a guiding hand in navigating your Southern California 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 Inland Empire agent.
Header Image Source: (appalachianview / Depositphotos)
English (US) · 