We Buy Ugly Houses Reviews: Is a Cash Sale Right For You?

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If you’re looking for a fast, as-is home sale, you’ve likely seen bright yellow signs or ads featuring a cartoon caveman proclaiming, “We Buy Ugly Houses!” It’s perhaps the most recognized cash-for-homes brand in the country. But is it right for your situation?

In this post, we’ll provide real We Buy Ugly Houses reviews and insights into this national house-buying company. We’ll also share what you can expect and alternatives so you can compare cash offers.

Sell Fast With a Cash Offer or Top agent

Get an all-cash, no-obligation offer in 24 hours through HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform and close in as few as 7 days. You can also compare the offer with an estimate from a top agent.

What is the history behind We Buy Ugly Houses?

The concept for the We Buy Ugly Houses brand was born in the late 1980s. Dallas real estate agent Ken D’Angelo came up with the idea to build a network of buyer-investors to help homeowners sell unwanted, worn-down, and hard-to-sell properties, which are often not very attractive.

Ten years later, D’Angelo founded HomeVestors, a company that provided all-cash offers to homeowners. The idea of a fast, judgment-free way to sell a house resonated with consumers who owned distressed homes. No repairs, no agent fees, no hassles.

Thanks to its iconic advertising campaign and caveman mascot (Ug), HomeVestors became known as the We Buy Ugly Houses people. There are now over 1,100 independently owned and operated franchises across the United States.

We Buy Ugly Houses reviews

In this section, we’ll provide a snapshot of We Buy Ugly Houses reviews and customer ratings taken from the company’s Dallas, Texas (HomeVestors) headquarters Better Business Bureau page and its Google customer reviews page.

However, when evaluating We Buy Ugly Houses reviews, it’s important to keep in mind that each location can have its own BBB or Google customer feedback pages. The reviews you see for one location may be very different from the reviews about another location.

Better Business Bureau reviews: HomeVestors’ headquarters holds an A+ BBB rating and is a BBB-accredited business. However, the company only has 1.32 stars out of 5 stars on the headquarters ratings page. Many of its local offices are independently accredited by the BBB and hold higher BBB customer scores.

Google customer reviews: We Buy Ugly Houses and HomeVestors’ overall Google customer reviews rating is higher, at 3.4 stars out of 5 stars. Again, with 1,100 independently owned franchises, the location near you may have a different customer rating.

Below are short snippets from the company’s Dallas, Texas headquarters BBB and Google reviews pages. HomeVestors also hosts customer reviews and testimonials on its We Buy Ugly Houses website.

5-star positive review snippets

Kudos to the entire organization for bringing professionalism, integrity, and trust into a business that — by and large, outside of HomeVestors — lacks honesty, transparency, and accountability to the customer.

This company is phenomenal, to say the least. Best process to close on a house fast and with a great, trustworthy team at the same time.

I was able to sell my property quickly and easily…Thanks again for all your help.

HomeVestors does a great job of helping people out of an ugly situation with their house.

What I like best about HomeVestors is their philosophy of putting the customer first by helping the customer make the best decision based on their personal situation.

HomeVestors is a great solution for someone needing to sell their home. I would recommend that you at least give them consideration when looking for a solution outside of a realtor.

[The representative] who came to my house was up front and honest with me and my wife. He did not pressure us to sell our house to them…very professional about the whole ordeal.

I did business with one of the franchisees and had a great experience…He kept his word, and so did we.

Great company, great people. All the people I have dealt with are great, and you can trust they will do what they say.
Our [We Buy Ugly Houses franchisee] is very kind, extremely helpful, and very patient. Even with all of the hiccups that happened during the process, he never made me feel rushed or pressured.

1-star negative review snippets

The [franchisee] with HomeVestors made an offer on our home and assured us they wouldn’t back out, and at 5 pm the day before closing, they called and cancelled the contract.

Very disappointed in their attempt to lowball me on my house with unreasonable and inaccurate repair costs.

They keep sending me junk postcards about selling our home (which we purchased within the past 6 months). We get them almost weekly.

Their offer was $60,000 less than any other offer I received.

This company sends mail that is unmarked to trick me into opening junk mail..Leave me alone.

I kept our appointment for 9:00 AM and waited for one hour and ten minutes…no one from this company ever met or attempted to contact me.

Trying to lowball buy my house because I live in an economically disadvantaged area. Stay away from these people.

I keep receiving letters from HomeVestors about buying my deceased father’s and my home. My home is not for sale. I want them to stop sending me any correspondence.

I am so tired of these people wanting me to sell my house; it is not for sale. I have tried opting out several times, but that doesn’t seem to make a difference… they still keep bothering me.
I have been asking this business to remove my name and address from their files for over 3 years. The business has consistently failed to comply with my request.

Unwanted solicitations: It should be noted that most of the negative reviews on the HomeVestors headquarters’ BBB and Google reviews pages are not from customers who used the service but rather from homeowners receiving what they consider unwanted solicitations. This is a common consumer complaint among house-buying companies.

Local We Buy Ugly Houses review pages

To assist you further as you search We Buy Ugly Houses reviews, we’ve created a table with direct links to some of the larger metro area We Buy Ugly Houses Google review pages where you can read regional customer feedback.

How does We Buy Ugly Houses work?

Like other reputable house-buying companies, HomeVestors offers a straightforward process through its We Buy Ugly Houses franchises. There are three basic steps designed for speed and convenience:

Schedule an in-home walkthrough
A local We Buy Ugly Houses representative will visit your home for a free, no-obligation consultation. They will assess your property and answer any questions you have. The in-home visit typically takes about an hour, and you don’t need to clean or fix anything.
Receive a cash offer
After the walkthrough of your property, the company will follow up with a no-obligation, all-cash offer, often on the same day as their visit. These offers are typically below market value, reflecting both the home’s condition and the convenience of a quick, as-is sale.
Close on your timeline and move when you’re ready
If you accept the offer, you can close in as little as three weeks or when the timing is right for you. The company covers most standard closing costs, and the process skips many of the hassles of a traditional home sale, such as inspections, staging, or waiting for mortgage approvals.

Does We Buy Ugly Houses serve your area?

We Buy Ugly Houses operates in more than 800 markets across 47 states and the District of Columbia, making it one of the most widespread house-buying brands in the country. The company works through a network of independently owned and operated franchises, each licensed to buy homes in specific cities and regions.

To find out if they buy homes in your area, you can visit the company’s website, webuyuglyhouses.com, and enter your zip code.

What homes are a good fit for We Buy Ugly Houses?

We Buy Ugly Houses is geared toward sellers who prioritize speed and convenience over getting top dollar. True to D’Angelo’s initial concept, the company is most often a better fit for people in these types of situations:

Costly repairs: The home needs major repairs, but you don’t have the time, money, or desire to make them.
Imminent deadlines: You’re facing a time-sensitive issue, like foreclosure, divorce, job relocation, or financial hardship.
Inconvenient inheritance: You inherited a property and want to sell it quickly without going through a lengthy cleanup or listing process.
Done landlording: You’re a landlord ready to offload a rental, especially if it’s occupied or needs work.
Moving on: You simply want a fast, no-hassle sale without showings, staging, or waiting for buyer financing.

What is the cost of using We Buy Ugly Houses?

We Buy Ugly Houses doesn’t charge sellers any fees or commissions, and they typically cover standard closing costs. You also won’t need to spend money on repairs or cleaning.

The trade-off is the sale price. Offers are below market value, often around 50% to 70% of what the home might sell for in a traditional listing. (Possibly less since the company targets homes in need of major repairs.) That lower price reflects the convenience of a fast, as-is sale and the costs the company takes on to fix and resell the property.

This option can make sense if you’re focused on (or forced into) speed and simplicity, but it may not be the best fit if maximizing your profit is the top priority. Hiring a top agent is almost always your best bet to retain more proceeds.

This cost-free model is common among house-buying companies unless you are selling to a large iBuyer like Offerpad or Opendoor. These two homebuyers charge a service fee, typically around 5% of the property’s sale price. However, traditional iBuyers generally only purchase homes in good condition, properties that are considered move-in ready or turnkey.

Pros and cons of using We Buy Ugly Houses

Like other cash homebuyers, We Buy Ugly Houses offers speed and simplicity, but there are trade-offs to consider.

Pros of using We Buy Ugly Houses

Fast closings: Sales can be completed in as little as three weeks.
No repairs required: They buy homes as-is, regardless of condition.
No agent fees: You won’t pay commissions or listing fees.
Fewer hurdles: No need for showings, appraisals, or buyer financing.
Flexibility in move dates: You choose your closing date and move-out timeline.

Cons of using We Buy Ugly Houses

Lower sale price: Offers are below market value.
No open-market exposure: You miss out on competitive bids.
Limited to specific situations: Best suited for run-down or distressed properties.
No negotiation: Offers are typically firm with no counteroffers or adjustments.
Not ideal for move-in ready homes: You may earn more with a traditional listing.

How Much Is Your Home Worth Now?

Home values have rapidly increased in recent years. How much is your current home worth now? Get a ballpark estimate from HomeLight’s free Home Value Estimator.

Vet cash buyers and know your home’s worth

Before accepting a cash offer for your home, it’s important to vet the buyer and understand the current market value of your property. Whether it’s We Buy Ugly Houses/HomeVestors or another house-buying company, it’s smart to compare offers before making a commitment. Here are some helpful tips:

Research the franchise buyer: Look into the franchisee’s reputation and track record. Read customer reviews and see if the business provides real-world solutions for local sellers in your situation.
Check your home’s current value: Consult a local real estate agent and request a competitive market analysis (CMA), a report that compares your home with other recently sold or listed homes in the area. You might also get an independent appraisal to compare against your cash offer. An appraisal may cost $300-$500, but it will give you valuable insights. You may save thousands of dollars by avoiding a low-ball cash offer.
Consider the offer terms: Beyond the cash offer price, carefully review the terms of the purchase contract. Be certain you fully understand all the conditions and fees involved. Also, ensure that the closing timeline fits your plans. You may want to hire an attorney to review the agreement before signing.

Before committing to a house-buying company, HomeLight suggests you compare cash offers to what an experienced local real estate agent might be able to get for your home. HomeLight can connect you with top-performing agents in your market.

You can also use HomeLight’s free Home Value Estimator to get a preliminary ballpark estimate in less than two minutes.

Alternatives to We Buy Ugly Houses

If We Buy Ugly Houses doesn’t seem like a good fit, you have options. Perhaps We Buy Ugly Houses/HomeVestors doesn’t have a reputable franchisee in your area, or maybe you are requesting multiple cash offers to compare your options (which is wise). Below are some examples of other well-established services to sell your home with speed and convenience:

In addition to these companies, don’t rule out partnering with a top local real estate agent. If you’re not facing an immediate financial or moving deadline, selling through an experienced agent will almost always secure a higher sale price — and more money in your pocket at closing.

How does HomeLight Simple Sale work?

Simple Sale is an all-cash offer platform created by HomeLight that takes the stress and uncertainty out of selling your home. Our online platform connects you with the largest network of trusted cash buyers in the nation. But unlike most house-buying services, Simple Sale shows you all your options.

We provide the offer: With Simple Sale, you’ll receive a no-obligation cash offer within 24 hours and can close your sale in as few as 7 days.

We help you compare the offer: In addition, our platform compares your cash offer amount with an estimation of what you might receive if you list your home on the market using a top agent.

We’ll show you the top agents: Simple Sale also recommends performance-proven agents in your area based on thousands of customer reviews and transaction data, like annual sale-to-list ratios. You’ll know which local agents sell the most homes in your city and price range, so you can see all your options in one place.

Here is the easy 4-step Simple Sale process:

HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform can provide cash offers for homes nearly anywhere in the country and in almost any condition.

Simple Sale customer testimonial

“Thanks to HomeLight, I was able to sell my home quickly and without any hassle. I was very skeptical at first because of all the many ‘we buy houses for cash’ companies that are out there nowadays. But I am thankful that I decided to give [HomeLight] a try. I didn’t need to do any repairs, and we closed on my timeline. This was the absolute best decision that I could have made. Thank you, HomeLight. I will recommend you to my family and friends.” — Karen S. from Olive Branch, Mississippi

Nearly 2 million people have used HomeLight to get a better outcome when selling or buying a home. You can read more HomeLight customer reviews on our testimonial page.

Free tools offered by HomeLight

Is a cash offer right for you?

Your needs and circumstances will determine whether you decide to accept a cash offer for your home through brands like We Buy Ugly Houses and Simple Sale.

If speed and convenience are your top priority — and you’re willing to trade potentially higher proceeds for sale certainty — then a cash offer might be the right solution for you. For homeowners facing an imminent life change or financial need, the convenience can’t be beat.

If you want to maximize your home’s selling price and have the time and flexibility to take a more traditional selling route, exploring real estate agent options is usually the better choice.

If you want to see all your options in one place, try HomeLight’s Simple Sale today. Get started by answering a few questions about your home and selling timeline. There is no risk or obligation to request an offer.

Editor’s note: House-buying programs can change. For the most up-to-date information, please visit the company’s website.

Header Image Source: (Michael Vines / Unsplash)

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