Disclaimer: This post is meant to be used for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Links and mentions of Orange County area “we buy houses” companies do not constitute an endorsement. Individual program details can also frequently change — please visit a company’s website for the most up-to-date information on each program’s fees, market coverage, business model, and more. HomeLight always recommends doing your own research to determine which selling option is best for your situation. We Buy Houses companies in Orange County, California, 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 a fast home sale to start a new job. Or maybe you or a family member are facing an unexpected health challenge and need to relocate right away. Or you may need to cash out an inherited Orange County property to settle an estate. If you need to sell your Orange County home quickly, a We Buy Houses for Cash company could be the best solution. However, before you request a cash offer, it’s important to understand how much an Orange County 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. We Buy Houses companies in Orange County typically promise to give home sellers 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: If these benefits of selling to a house-buying company in Orange County sound 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 bungalow in Orange County or your modern beach house. By selling to one of these companies, you should be able to sell your Orange County home in as little as a week or two. Website: socalhomebuyers.com/orange-county
Phone number: 951-331- 3844
Locations: Various locations in California, including Orange County, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Diego Founded in 2011 by a husband and wife team, So Cal Home Buyers is a professional real estate investment company. Their goal is to help homeowners quickly sell real estate with as little stress as possible. The company works to provide a reliable and trustworthy home-selling solution. To date, they have helped more than 500 home sellers. According to their website, they have a three-step process to sell your California house. Request your offer online or over the phone. Then, receive a cash offer, usually within a few days of contacting them. Close when you need to. Funds will be provided via wire or check. Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; So Cal Home Buyers covers them. Reviews: So Cal Home Buyers has been BBB accredited since May 2018 and holds an A+ BBB rating. Customer reviews for So Cal Home Buyers speak to the company’s professionalism and integrity. Reviewers like that the owners are personally involved in the transactions, and expressed gratitude for the caring and responsive staff. However, some homeowners have complained about what they considered to be low offers. Contact information: homelight.com/simple
Phone: 844-488-8455
Locations: Nationwide, including Orange County, California Simple Sale, a solution from HomeLight, is an online platform where sellers in Orange County (and across the country) can request a cash offer for their home. Simple Sale has a network of cash buyers on its platform, 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 Orange County. With Simple Sale, you can get an all-cash offer within five days and sell your home in as little as 10 days, skipping the months it can take to sell the traditional way. Closing costs: No prep costs, no agent commissions, and no fees charged by HomeLight. Individual investor fees may vary. Reviews: Simple Sale is a HomeLight platform. HomeLight was founded in 2012 and is BBB accredited with an A-rating The company has 4.6 stars on Google based on more than 500 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. Website: propertyescape.net
Phone number: 714-360-0932
Locations: Throughout Southern California including Orange County, Los Angeles, Anaheim, and Pasadena Property Escape, also known as Property Escape We Buy Houses, is a homebuying and real estate company based in Long Beach, California. They serve all of Southern California and have more than 20 years of combined real estate experience. They buy houses in any condition and pay all closing costs. They also work with real estate agents to help get their clients’ homes sold fast. Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; Property Escape covers them. Reviews: Property Escape holds a 5-star Google review rating. Customer reviews for Property Escape speak to the fact that the company is easy to work with and responsive. Reviewers express comfort in how easygoing the staff members are and their knowledge of the Southern California housing market. Property Escape does not have a BBB listing. Website: johnmedinabuyshouses.com
Phone number: 310-928-9688
Locations: San Pedro, Los Angeles, Orange County, and throughout Southern California Founded in 2013, John Medina Buys Houses, is a local and family-owned homebuying investment company. It prides itself on making fair offers and providing smooth transactions while exceeding the homeowner’s expectations. The company was started to solve problems for homeowners by providing a simple, no-hassle process. The company is involved in its local community and focuses on keeping its renovation budgets low so it can make the best offers to homebuyers. It usually makes an offer within 24 hours of seeing the property. Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; John Medina Buys Houses covers them. Reviews: John Medina Buys House has been BBB accredited since September 2015. It has an A+ rating with the BBB. Customer reviews for John Medina Buys Houses speak to the company’s excellent communication and professionalism. Reviewers express gratitude for how smooth the transactions were, and for the company’s friendly, courteous team members. Website: homevestors.com/orange-county
Phone number: 866-949-2985
Locations: Nationwide including Orange County, California HomeVestors is the largest home buying company in the U.S. It also owns We Buy Ugly Houses and has been in business since 1996. The company has hundreds of franchise offices across the country, including locations in Orange County. Since its inception, the company has purchased more than 125,000 homes for cash. Their goal is to give each homeowner a quick and easy selling process. They use local buyers, are well-versed in the local market, and make fast cash offers on homes in any condition. Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; HomeVestors covers them. Reviews: HomeVestors has an A+ rating with the BBB. The company operates nationwide so different offices may have different ratings. Customer reviews for HomeVestors speak to the company being well known and professional. Reviewers express gratitude for timely offers and staff with local real estate knowledge. However, there are some mixed reviews from homeowners who received what they considered to be low offers and were told their home needed extensive repairs, which the sellers did not agree with. There are plenty of valid reasons an Orange County 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 Orange County, it typically takes around 117 days to sell a home on the market using an agent. That includes an average of 63 days on market, plus the typical 54 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 Orange County, 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. These companies are growing in popularity, especially for sellers who do not have the typically required long weeks or months to prepare, market, and close on a traditional home sale. Let’s look at some of the most common reasons Orange County sellers decide to use a We Buy Houses for Cash company over listing a property the traditional way. 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. At this point, you’ve probably noticed that We Buy Houses for Cash companies in Orange County can trigger a mixed bag of thoughts that can be difficult to sort. You may like the idea of speed and convenience, but you might be having trouble balancing these with the premium you might pay for a cash-offer service. In this next section, we’ll walk you through some of the pros and cons of using a We Buy Houses company so you can better weigh your options. One of the biggest advantages of working with We Buy Houses for Cash companies in Orange County 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: 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. 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 weigh: 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. For many home sellers, 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. 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. You can also use HomeLight’s free Home Value Estimator right now to get an initial ballpark estimate in less than two minutes. Within the Cash-For-Homes industry, you’ll also 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 also leverage automated valuation models (AVMs), which use algorithmic technology to apply historic and current market data to their estimates. AVMs allow iBuyers to make a near-instant offer on your home and provide a user-friendly, mostly online home sale experience. iBuyers have only been around since the mid-2010s, but are now widely available across California. iBuyers provide all-cash offers for homes and can close a sale in a matter of days to a few weeks. However, unlike typical We Buy Houses for Cash companies, iBuyers generally seek out homes that are in better condition and usually provide cash offers that are closer to market value, typically in the 90% range. iBuyer offers can sometimes be even higher, depending on the location and market conditions. When considering the iBuyer option, it’s important to note that major iBuyer companies like Opendoor and Offerpad typically charge sizable service fees that can range between 5% and 13%. Sellers who may be a good fit to work with an iBuyer in Orange County include those who prefer to skip staging and showing their home, who live in an area with somewhat similar housing, and who have a home in relatively good shape. It might be surprising to see this agent option included in our story about Cash-For-Homes businesses. Most homeowners seeking information about house-buying companies want to sell a home quickly, not in 117 days. But it’s wise to consider all your options. If your home is in a housing market that’s seller-friendly, listing your property with a top real estate agent can result in a fast sale, especially if the house is strategically priced and superbly marketed. Depending on the property and local market conditions, using an agent could pay off. Selling on the market typically yields the highest selling price, even more so if you partner with a proven professional. HomeLight’s internal real estate transaction data shows that the top 5% of agents sell homes for up to 10% more than average agents. Another significant benefit of consulting with a trusted agent is the insight they can provide through a comparative market analysis (CMA). This is a market report that real estate agents provide to home sellers that acts as a tool to calculate the value of a home. The CMA evaluates a home’s size, features, location, age, and other details in relation to similar properties that have recently sold in the area. A CMA can help you determine an appropriate listing price, which can help estimate how quickly it might sell. In addition, an experienced agent who knows your market may even be able to connect you with buyers who are willing to provide you with a cash offer that’s closer to your home’s market value. Many agents will provide a CMA for free, with no obligation to list your home with them. It can be a valuable tool to weigh your options. If in the end, you decide to sell to a house-buying company, you can proceed with more confidence, knowing you fully examined your options and made a sound financial decision. If you are interested in exploring the agent option, HomeLight can connect you with a top-performing real estate agent in your area today. 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 legit. 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. As described in our pros and cons list above, 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, 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 Orange County bungalow could sell for $940,000 after repairs, but it’s going to need $80,000 of work to get there. ($940,000 x .70) – $80,000 = $578,000 In this example, an Orange County We Buy Houses company might offer you around $578,000 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 will likely be coming to grips with a two-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 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 flat-out ask the company if there are any hidden program fees that might impact your bottom line. 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. 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 modern beach house in Orange County is currently worth about $925,000 and needs about $65,000 in repairs. Once the repairs are completed, the home might be worth around $990,000. 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 Orange County 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 making a commitment 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!Working with house-buying companies in Orange County
Popular We Buy Houses for Cash companies in Orange County
So Cal Home Buyers
Simple Sale (a HomeLight platform)
Property Escape
John Medina Buys Houses
HomeVestors
Why sell your Orange County house for cash?
Pros and cons of house-buying companies in Orange County
Pros
Cons
Vet cash buyers and know your home’s worth
Other options to sell your home quickly
iBuyers
Listing with an agent
FAQs on Orange County house-buying companies
Are We Buy Houses for Cash companies legit or scams?
How much will We Buy Houses for Cash companies in Orange County pay?
How much does selling a home to a We Buy Houses for Cash company in Orange County cost?
How do you sell a house for cash in Orange County?
We Buy Houses for Cash in Orange County vs. top Orange County agent
Aspect of the sale
Sell to a We Buy Houses for Cash company in Orange County
Sell with a top Realtor in Orange County
Selling timeline
7 to 30 days
117 days average; 63 to attract an offer, 54 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
Sell to a We Buy Houses for Cash company in Orange County
Sell with a top Realtor in Orange County
Estimated sale price
($990,000 x .70) – $65,000 = $628,000
$925,000
Market preparations
0
$9,250 (1% of sale price)
Agent commissions
0
$53,650 (5.8% of sale price)
Closing costs
0
$13,875 (1.5%)
Estimated take-home for seller
$628,000
$848,225
Key takeaways
