We Buy Houses Allentown: Top 5 Companies
- Published on
- 15 min read
- Joseph Gordon EditorCloseJoseph Gordon Editor
Joseph Gordon is an Editor with HomeLight. He has several years of experience reporting on the commercial real estate and insurance industries.
Selling your house in Pennsylvania can be tough, especially if it needs repairs. We Buy Houses Allentown companies offer a simple solution: all-cash offers for homes in any condition. This lets you quickly get cash without spending time or money on renovations, ideal for urgent or unexpected situations.
A cash sale is great if you don’t have the time, skills, or money for repairs. Whether you’re moving suddenly, facing financial issues, or just want to skip the hassle of traditional selling, these companies offer a fast and convenient way to move on with your plans.
In this post, we’ll look at the pros and cons of working with house-buying companies in Allentown. We will also show you how selling your home for cash works, and provide you with some alternatives.
Working with house-buying companies in Allentown
Partnering with house-buying companies in Allentown can speed up the process of selling your home quickly without the need for repairs or lengthy negotiations. Here are the basic steps you’ll follow to sell your house to a cash-for-homes company in Allentown:
- Contact the company: Find a reputable house-buying company in Allentown. Most will have a contact form or email address, along with a phone number.
- Provide property details: Share key information about your home, including its condition, location, and necessary repairs.
- Schedule a home visit: Allow the company to visit your property for a quick inspection to assess its value and condition.
- Receive an offer: The company will present you with a no-obligation, all-cash offer based on their assessment.
- Review the offer: Consider the company’s offer and ensure it meets your needs and expectations.
- Close the sale: If you accept the offer, you can close the sale quickly, often within a week, and receive your cash payment.
Popular We Buy Houses for Cash companies in Allentown
If the process of selling to a house-buying company in Allentown 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 or your parents’ property, whether that’s a Victorian or a Federal style. By partnering with one of these companies, you should be able to sell your Allentown home in as little as a week or two.
Laurel Path Properties
Laurel Path Properties, a reputable home-buying company serving the Allentown area, offers a seamless and supportive selling experience for homeowners across the Lehigh Valley. Known for their transparency and responsiveness, the team typically extends a competitive, all-cash offer within 24 hours of receiving property details.
Sellers are given the flexibility to choose a closing date that aligns with their needs, whether in as little as seven days or on a timeline that works best for them.
Locations: Allentown and surrounding areas, including Bethlehem and Easton
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; Laurel Path Properties covers them.
Reflecting the trust of its customers, Laurel Path Properties holds a 5-star Google rating, based on a limited number of reviews. A client recalls facing a difficult period and feeling hesitant about working with a We Buy Houses company due to worries about aggressive sales tactics and undervalued offers.
However, their experience with the team at Laurel Path Properties turned out to be unexpectedly positive.
Website: laurelpathproperties.com
Phone number: 610-345-7281
Simple Sale (a HomeLight platform)
Simple Sale, a solution from HomeLight, is an online platform where sellers in Allentown (and across the country) can request a cash offer for their home. It connects you to one of the largest networks of cash buyers in the U.S.
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 Allentown.
With the platform, you can get a no-obligation, all-cash offer in 24 hours and sell your home in as few as 7 days, skipping the months it can take to sell the traditional way.
Locations: Nationwide, including Allentown
Closing costs: No prep costs, agent commissions, or fees charged by HomeLight. Individual investor fees may vary.
Simple Sale is a platform by HomeLight, a real estate solutions company founded in 2012. Given its strong focus on excellent customer service, it received a BBB accreditation in 2019 and now holds 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.
Website: homelight.com/simple
Phone: 844-488-8455
Hey Offer
Hey Offer, a trusted home-buying company serving Pennsylvania, makes the selling process fast and simple. Homeowners can start by filling out a short form or calling the team directly.
After a brief property visit to assess the condition and take photos, the company presents a fair, no-obligation cash offer the same day. Once the offer is accepted, sellers are free to choose their preferred closing date, often as soon as seven days.
Locations: Allentown and surrounding areas
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; Hey Offer covers them.
Hey Offer has a pending BBB application, but the bureau has already assigned it an A+ rating. It maintains a 4.6 Google star rating, with clients emphasizing the team’s exceptional professionalism, market knowledge, and efficiency in executing fast and smooth transactions. One seller, handling the sale of a late parent’s home, appreciated the smooth, fair, and quick process.
Website: heyoffer.com
Phone number: 877-277-4565
Pezon Properties Allentown
Pezon Properties acquires single-family residences and workforce housing in urban and suburban communities within the Greater Lehigh Valley, Reading, and the Poconos. As a locally based, family-operated firm, it specializes in providing prompt, all-cash offers, often within 24 hours of receiving property details, and can complete transactions in as little as 14 days.
Their approach emphasizes flexibility and efficiency, allowing sellers to move forward on a timeline that suits their individual needs.
Locations: Throughout Pennsylvania, including Allentown
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; Pezon Properties covers them.
Known for its ethical business practices, Pezon Properties has been BBB accredited since 2022 and now holds an A rating. It earned a 4.8-star rating on Google with reviewers highlighting the team’s ability to deliver on promises and close quickly. Some noted that the team effectively managed the sale of properties occupied by tenants who had not maintained them well.
Website: pezonproperties.com
Phone number: 484-484-0971
We Buy Lehigh Valley Houses
We Buy Lehigh Valley Houses is a family-owned real estate solutions firm serving homeowners throughout the Lehigh Valley region. By submitting a brief property information form, sellers can receive a competitive, all-cash offer within 24 hours.
The company emphasizes flexibility and convenience, allowing clients to choose a closing date that suits their needs. For urgent sales, the team can close in as little as seven days.
Locations: Lehigh Valley, including Allentown
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; We Buy Lehigh Valley Houses covers them.
We Buy Lehigh Valley Houses holds 5 stars on Google based on a limited number of reviews. Previous clients noted a particularly positive experience, commending the team for their prompt communication, transparent guidance, and respectful, pressure-free approach. They expressed appreciation for the candid insights and detailed responses provided throughout the process.
Website: webuylehighvalleyhouses.com
Phone number: 484-695-7956
Why sell your Allentown house for cash?
If you’ve ever sold your home through the traditional real estate market, you know the process can drag on for months, and there’s no guarantee of a sale. But when you sell to a We Buy Houses company, you’re looking at a guaranteed sale in just a matter of days. Speed, convenience, and certainty are the top reasons many homeowners choose to work with a cash-for-homes firm.
In Allentown, selling a home on the open market using an agent typically takes around 57 days. That includes an average of 17 days on the market, from listing to signed contract, plus the typical 40 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 Allentown, 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.
Selling your Allentown house for cash can be a smart choice when you need to move quickly or avoid the complexities of a traditional home sale. Here are some common scenarios where working with a house-buying company might be a fitting solution:
- Job relocation: You must move quickly to start a new job in a different city.
- Divorce settlement: You’re going through a divorce and need to sell the house to divide assets.
- Unwanted inheritance: You’ve inherited a house and want to sell it without the hassle of repairs and marketing.
- Downsizing transition: You’re ready to downsize and want a quick sale to move into a retirement community.
- Extensive repairs: Your home is in poor condition and needs significant repairs that you can’t afford or don’t want to handle.
- Open house stress: You want to sell without the stress of staging and hosting open houses.
- Foundation issues: Your house has major foundation problems that could deter traditional buyers.
- Foreclosure solution: You’re at risk of foreclosure and need to sell quickly to avoid damaging your credit.
- Problem tenants: You’re a landlord dealing with difficult tenants and want to sell the property.
- Remote home sale: You’re managing a property sale in Allentown from out of state and want to avoid traveling back and forth.
Pros and cons of house-buying companies in Allentown
When considering selling your Allentown home to a house-buying company, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons. In terms of advantages, selling to a house-buying company in Allentown offers speed and convenience.
These companies will purchase your home in any condition without requiring repairs or preparations, providing a hassle-free solution for homeowners needing a quick sale. Below is an overview of the benefits of working with cash-for-homes firms.
Pros:
- Quick sale: House-buying companies can close the sale within a week, offering a fast solution if you need to move quickly.
- No repairs needed: Sell your home as-is and save time and money on repairs or renovations.
- No contingencies: Cash-for-homes companies typically buy without contingencies, reducing the risk of deals falling through.
- Convenient transaction: The process is straightforward, with minimal paperwork and no need for showings or open houses.
While house-buying companies in Allentown offer convenience, the most significant drawback is that they usually pay below market value for your home. This can be a major disadvantage compared to selling on the open market with a real estate agent.
Cons:
- Lower offers: Expect to receive less money compared to selling through a traditional method with a real estate agent.
- Scam risks: Beware of house-buying scams and do thorough research to ensure the company is reputable.
- Limited negotiation: Offers are typically take-it-or-leave-it, leaving little room for negotiation.
- Emotional toll: Selling quickly can sometimes feel rushed, and you might miss the opportunity to maximize your profit.
Vet cash buyers and know your home’s worth
When selling your Allentown home to a We Buy Houses for Cash company, it’s essential to ensure you’re dealing with a reputable buyer. Here are some key steps to vet cash buyers and know your home’s worth:
- Check reviews: Look up the company online and read reviews from other sellers to gauge their experiences. The company’s website and third-party platforms should have testimonials that will help you understand the company’s level of service and client satisfaction.
- Research market presence: Investigate the company’s presence and performance in the Allentown market to ensure they are established and trustworthy.
- Read the agreement carefully: Before signing any buying agreement, read it thoroughly to understand the terms and conditions and ensure you’re making an informed decision.
Consult with an experienced local agent to get a better idea of what your home might be worth if sold on the open market. Then, compare your cash offer.
HomeLight can connect you with a top-performing agent in your market. You can also try our free Home Value Estimator to get an initial ballpark estimate in less than two minutes.
Other options to sell your Allentown home quickly
When considering options to sell your Allentown home quickly, you have several choices beyond traditional house-buying companies. Here’s a concise overview:
Working with iBuyers
Instant buyers, or iBuyers, use automated valuation models (AVMs) to provide fast, all-cash offers. Companies like Opendoor and Offerpad typically offer closer to market value for homes in good condition and can close in a few days to two weeks.
However, they often charge service fees of 5% to 6% of the home’s sale price. Moreover, iBuyer companies mostly accommodate properties in relatively good condition.
Listing with an agent
Though it might seem counterintuitive, listing with a top real estate agent can also be a quick way to sell, especially in a seller-friendly market. A skilled agent can help you price your home strategically and market it effectively, often resulting in a higher selling price.
Consulting with an agent provides a comparative market analysis (CMA), which helps determine your home’s value and appropriate listing price. Many agents provide a CMA for free. Additionally, an experienced agent may connect you with cash buyers willing to pay close to market value. If interested, HomeLight can connect you with a top-performing real estate agent in your area today.
FAQs on Allentown house-buying companies
By and large, most We Buy Houses for Cash companies in Allentown 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 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 BBB website. Watch for anything that just doesn’t seem right.
Most Allentown 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 Allentown Victorian could sell for $280,000 after repairs, but it will need $25,000 of work to get there.
($280,000 x .70) – $25,000 = $171,000
In this example, an Allentown We Buy Houses company might offer you around $171,000 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 they look for homes in better condition. An iBuyer might pay you 90% or more of the market value while charging a fee for their services.
When you accept an offer from an Allentown We Buy Houses for Cash company, you will likely be coming to grips with a double-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 it is accepted. Conversely, 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 will be the price you walk away with at the end of the deal. Of course, asking the company if any hidden program fees might impact your bottom line is always a good idea.
- Research and vet the house-buying companies that serve your Allentown area. Our list above is a good place to start.
- Submit offer requests to a few companies you like best.
- Schedule any required on-site property visits.
- Compare offers. Weigh 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 Allentown vs. top Allentown 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 Allentown | Sell with a top Realtor in Allentown |
Selling timeline | 7 to 30 days | 57 days average; 17 to attract an offer, 40 to close the loan |
Home preparations | None | Deep clean, declutter, make necessary repairs, landscape, and stage the home |
Showings | None | 10 to 25 showings on 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 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 buyer’s loan doesn’t clear |
Agent commission | None | 3% to 6% of the home’s sale price |
Closing costs | None | 1% to 3% of the home’s sale price on top of the agent’s commission |
Example net proceeds
Below, we’ve compiled 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 Allentown is worth about $255,000 and needs about $25,000 in repairs. Once the repairs are completed, the home might be worth around $280,000.
Sell to a We Buy Houses for Cash company in Allentown | Sell with a top Realtor in Allentown | |
Estimated sale price | ($280,000 x .70) – $25,000 = $171,000 | $255,000 |
Market preparations | 0 | $2,550 (1% of the sale price) |
Agent commissions | 0 | $7,650 (3% of the sale price) |
Closing costs | 0 | $3,825 (1.5% of the sale price) |
Estimated take-home for seller | $171,000 | $240,975 |
As this example illustrates, it’s usually in your best financial interest to partner with an experienced real estate agent.
However, net proceeds are not the only consideration when selling a home. What’s best for your situation will depend on the condition of your property, the level of repairs needed, and your selling objectives. It could be that selling on the open market will be a challenge in your area, or the agent’s timeline might not fit your immediate needs.
Key takeaways
- Speedy transaction: House-buying companies in Allentown offer a fast and hassle-free way to sell your home, often closing within a week.
- As-is convenience: These companies buy homes in any condition, saving you time and money on repairs.
- Lower offers: Expect to receive less than market value compared to traditional sales.
- Due diligence: Always research and vet cash buyers to avoid scams and ensure a fair deal.
- Service fees: Some companies, like iBuyers, may charge service fees of 5%-6% of the home’s sale price.
- Alternative options: Listing with an agent can also result in a quick sale, potentially at a higher price.
- Home value: Always know your property’s estimated market value before you proceed with a cash-offer company to avoid extremely low offers.
At HomeLight, we’re happy to help you navigate your 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-performing agent.
Editor’s note: This post is for educational purposes only. Links to and mentions of Allentown area “We Buy Houses” companies are not endorsements. Moreover, the program details mentioned above may change. Visit the home-buying company’s website for the most up-to-date information.
Header Image Source: (mandritoiu/ Depositphotos)