Express Homebuyers Reviews: Is a Cash Offer Right For You?
- Published on
- 12 min read
-
Richard Haddad Executive EditorCloseRichard Haddad Executive Editor
Richard Haddad is the executive editor of HomeLight.com. He works with an experienced content team that oversees the company’s blog featuring in-depth articles about the home buying and selling process, homeownership news, home care and design tips, and related real estate trends. Previously, he served as an editor and content producer for World Company, Gannett, and Western News & Info, where he also served as news director and director of internet operations.
If you need a fast, as-is home sale, you may be eyeing a company called Express Homebuyers. This cash-for-homes business has helped thousands of homeowners during trying times, such as divorce, the threat of foreclosure, a financial setback, or just breaking free of an unwanted inherited property.
In this post, we’ll provide real Express Homebuyers reviews and insights into this national house-buying company so you can decide if a quick cash offer is right for your situation. We’ll also share alternatives so you can compare offers.
What’s the history behind Express Homebuyers?
Express Homebuyers was founded in 2003 by Brad Chandler, who became fascinated with real estate in the 9th grade after reading a book about buying houses. It has since grown into one of the more recognizable house-buying companies in the U.S.
Originally based in the Washington, D.C. area, the company started with a focus on helping distressed homeowners sell quickly and easily, allowing them to skip repairs and closing costs.
Over the years, Express Homebuyers has expanded its operations to serve dozens of markets nationwide while maintaining the principle that every homeowner deserves respect, understanding, and a fair, timely offer.
Express Homebuyers reviews
In this section, we’ll provide a snapshot of Express Homebuyers reviews and customer ratings taken from the company’s Better Business Bureau page and Google customer reviews page.
Better Business Bureau reviews: Express Homebuyers is a BBB-accredited business with an A+ grade and a 4.3-star customer rating out of 5 stars. Its BBB profile contains a resolved alert from 2022 in which the company settled a matter with the D.C. Attorney General related to a past marketing campaign. Express Homebuyers agreed to revised advertising practices without admitting any wrongdoing.
Google customer reviews: Express Homebuyers has an overall Google customer reviews rating of 4.4 stars out of 5 stars.
Below are short snippets from the company’s BBB and Google reviews pages. Express Homebuyer also hosts customer reviews and video testimonials on its website.
5-star positive review snippets
- Our elderly relative had to move into an assisted living facility and needed to sell his home quickly in order to afford it long-term…[The rep] took the time to listen to our needs…we closed in two weeks, hassle-free.
- [We] had to sell the estate of a deceased sibling and could not take on the full responsibility of “fixing the home” to make it sellable…Cash was in my account very quickly. They took a lot of weight off my shoulders.
- Seamless and worry-free from beginning to end…They really took care of everything! By the time I reached my closing date, I felt like a hot knife through butter.
- We were kept very well informed during the process. Everyone was very professional and helpful. The entire process was speedy and efficient.
- They did everything they said they would. They stuck to their word. The closing process was easy, the title firm came to me, and the settlement check came in days.
- From the first contact with Express Homebuyers until settlement, it took only 9 days. This was truly a great experience.
- [The company] offered us a very fair price for our house, which was sold as is. We settled earlier than originally expected. The process took about 20 minutes.
- I was very pleasantly surprised by how carefree this sale was. I am disabled, and they did practically everything. I was kept updated every step along the way.
- I would work with them again and highly recommend them to anyone who needs to sell quickly to a reputable company. They are exactly who they claim to be.
- My landlord fatigue had reached an all-time high, and I knew it was time to sell…My offer was fair and paid out the next business day post-closing. If you want to sell and do not want the headache associated with selling a house, call them ASAP!
1-star negative review snippets
- [The rep] did not know the area, neighborhood, or comps…A caveat when using this company: make sure the person examining the property has done his/her homework.
- Perhaps this is a good solution for low-value homes in need of repairs, but based on my experience with this company, for higher-end homes, they are relentless in trying to acquire homes for a fraction of the value.
- No communication. I would call to get information and would go to voicemail. No return calls, or they would call back and say they had no other information for me.
- I initially received an offer to purchase my home after about two weeks of discussion. Then, about one week before the first closing, I was informed that they couldn’t purchase the home.
- The agent told me they would contact me the next day after going over the property info. The call never came, so I called. I was told that due to the current housing market situation, they were only interested in properties located within cities and not in rural areas.
- Their business model is predicated on taking advantage of people in need.
- Someone from Express was supposed to come look at my house. No one ever showed or called to cancel…I called the office [twice] and the answering service took my info, but never called me back.
- Filled out application. Received e-mail that I would hear within a few hours the following day. Three days later I called and was advised my call would be returned. Two days later, I am still waiting for a call.
- If you decide not to sell they will keep calling you, texting you, and emailing you. They are relentless. They can’t take “no” for an answer.
- This business is repeatedly calling me when I do not want to sell my house. Unnecessarily calling, knowingly and intentionally.
Unwanted solicitations: It should be noted that some of the negative reviews for Express Homebuyers are not from customers who used the service but rather from homeowners who received unwanted solicitations. This is a common complaint among house-buying companies.
How does Express Homebuyers work?
Similar to other reputable house-buying companies, Express Homebuyers follows a three-step process to buy homes fast and as-is:
- First, you submit your address and property details online or by phone to receive a no‑obligation offer.
- Next, a team member schedules a home visit and inspection — no cleaning, repairs or showings required. Based on that inspection and market conditions, they provide a final cash offer.
- If you accept, closing can happen in as little as seven days, with flexibility to choose a timeline that fits your needs.
Does Express Homebuyers serve your area?
Express Homebuyers is a nationwide cash buyer, with its headquarters in Springfield, Virginia, and strong coverage in the D.C., Maryland and Virginia region. They also operate on the West Coast from Los Angeles and Sacramento.
The top states where they do business include Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Washington, D.C.
What homes are a good fit for Express Homebuyers?
Homes that may be a good match for Express Homebuyers include:
- Properties in need of repairs or updates
- Inherited or probate homes
- Homes facing foreclosure
- Rental properties with difficult tenants
- Vacant or fire-damaged homes
- Homes with code violations
- Situations requiring a fast or flexible closing
What is the cost of using Express Homebuyers?
Express Homebuyers does not charge commissions or fees to sell your home. Because the company purchases homes directly for cash, you can avoid many of the traditional costs of listing, such as agent fees, home prep, and repairs. That said, cash offers are below market value to account for the convenience, speed, and investment risk the company takes on.
This cost-free model is common among We Buy Houses companies unless you are selling to a large iBuyer like Opendoor or Offerpad. These two homebuyers charge a service fee, or around 5% of the property’s sale price. However, traditional iBuyers only purchase houses in good condition, homes that are considered move-in ready or turnkey.
Pros and cons of using Express Homebuyers
Pros
- Fast closing, often within 7 days
- No repairs, cleaning, or showings required
- No commissions or closing costs
- Simple process with direct communication
Cons
- Cash offers will be lower than market value
- May not be available in all states or cities
- Less competitive pricing compared to multiple-offer situations on the open market
Even with the cons, an as-is, all-cash sale can make sense if you need speed and simplicity. However, if you have flexibility in your selling timeline, this option may not be the best fit. In most cases, you will retain more proceeds by hiring a top real estate agent.
Vet cash buyers and know your home’s worth
Before accepting an offer from Express Homebuyers or any other cash buyer, take time to do a little research. Check reviews and make sure the company has a solid track record in your area. It’s also smart to compare their offer to your home’s current market value. To do this, you can:
- Ask a local real estate agent for a competitive market analysis (CMA), a report that compares your home with other recently sold homes in the area. Many agents provide CMAs for free with a consultation. HomeLight can connect you with top-performing agents in your market.
- Get an independent appraisal, which may cost $300-$500, but it will give you valuable insights.
- Use free online tools such as HomeLight’s Home Value Estimator for a preliminary ballpark estimate of your home’s worth.
Beyond the cash offer price, carefully review the terms of the company’s purchase contract. Be certain you fully understand all the conditions and fees involved, and confirm that the closing timeline works with your plans. You may even want to hire an attorney to review the agreement before signing.
Alternatives to Express Homebuyers
If Express Homebuyers doesn’t feel like a good fit, you have other options. Below are some examples of well-established house-buying companies:
- Simple Sale by HomeLight
- We Buy Houses
- We Buy Ugly Houses/HomeVestors
- HomeGo
- Sundae
- Mark Spain Real Estate
- Homeward
- Opendoor
- OfferPad
In addition to these companies, don’t rule out partnering with a top local real estate agent. If you’re not facing an imminent financial need or moving deadline, selling through an experienced agent will almost always bring in a higher sale price, which means more money in your pocket at closing.
How does HomeLight Simple Sale work?
Simple Sale is a 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 local real estate 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 all-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 home seller tools offered by HomeLight
- Find a Top Agent
- Home Value Estimator
- Agent Commissions Calculator
- Net Proceeds Calculator
- Best Time to Sell Calculator
Is a cash offer right for you?
Selling your home to a company like Express Homebuyers can offer speed, simplicity, and peace of mind, especially if your property needs work or you’re facing a time-sensitive situation. But that convenience often comes with a trade-off in price.
If you’re looking for a fast, as-is sale and don’t want to deal with showings or repairs, a cash offer could be a smart solution. For some sellers, the convenience can’t be beat.
If you’re hoping to get top dollar and have the time and flexibility to take a more traditional selling route, it may be worth exploring what a trusted local agent can help you earn on the open market.
If you want to see all your options in one place, try HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform. 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: (Roger Starnes Sr / Unsplash)