4 Top We Buy Houses for Cash Companies in Baton Rouge
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Joseph Gordon EditorJoseph Gordon is an Editor with HomeLight. He has several years of experience reporting on the commercial real estate and insurance industries.
All-cash offers from “We Buy Houses” companies can be hard to ignore for homeowners in markets like Baton Rouge, who might be on properties that aren’t in tip-top shape.
These offers can be especially enticing for those needing more time, budget, or know-how to undertake necessary repairs. They offer property owners a fast track to selling their homes and moving forward with their lives.
This article will unpack the ups and downs of selling your home for cash in Baton Rouge, providing the tools and knowledge to decide if this is the right path for you. We will also give you a brief window into the process, explain how it works, and present you with alternatives.
Sell Your Baton Rouge House Fast With a Cash Offer
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 Baton Rouge.
Disclaimer: This post is meant to be used for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Links and mentions of Baton Rouge area “We Buy Bouses” companies should not be considered an endorsement.
Working with house-buying companies in Baton Rouge
Navigating a home sale in Baton Rouge to a house-buying company is straightforward. Here’s a simple guide to the process to get you started:
1. Research companies: Look for reputable cash-for-homes companies in Baton Rouge. Check their reviews and past transactions to ensure they are legitimate and trustworthy.
2. Submit your details: Contact your chosen company with information about your property. This usually involves filling out a form on their website or making a phone call.
3. Receive an offer: The company will make an all-cash offer for your home based on your provided details. This typically happens within a few days.
4. Home inspection: If you accept the offer, the company will arrange a visit to inspect your home. This is to verify the condition of the property.
5. Close the sale: Should everything check out during the inspection, you’ll proceed to closing. The company usually takes care of all paperwork, and you can receive your cash in a matter of days.
6. Move on: With the sale complete, you’re free to move forward with your plans without the usual stresses of selling a home.
Popular We Buy Houses for Cash companies in Baton Rouge
If the process of selling to a house-buying company in Baton Rouge 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 parents’ Bungalow or French Colonial. By selling to one of these companies, you should be able to sell your Baton Rouge home in as little as a week or two.
Buy Houses BR LLC
Buy Houses BR LLC was founded in 2020. Today, the company thrives with a dedicated team of contractors to streamline their operations, specializing in revitalizing distressed properties throughout Baton Rouge.
Locations: Baton Rouge
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; Buy Houses BR LLC covers them.
Buy Houses BR LLC, led by Bryan, Travis, and John, receives high praise for their integrity, flexibility, and efficiency in the home buying process. Clients appreciate the team’s honesty and ability to close deals swiftly, highlighting their considerate approach to sellers’ timelines. They have a Google review rating of 5.0.
Website: buyhousesbr.com
Phone number: 225-288-7209
Simple Sale (a HomeLight platform)
Simple Sale, a solution from HomeLight, is an online platform where sellers in Baton Rouge (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 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 Baton Rouge.
With Simple Sale, you can get a no-obligation, 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 Baton Rouge
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.
Learn more: homelight.com/simple
Phone: 844-488-8455
Geaux Home Buyers
Geaux Home Buyers offers Baton Rouge residents an effortless way to sell their homes for cash, particularly under challenging circumstances like hurricanes, flooding, or financial hardships.
Locations: Baton Rouge
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; Geaux Home Buyers covers them.
Clients of Geaux Home Buyers, particularly those who worked with Stephen, express high levels of satisfaction, highlighting the quickness of the process and the clarity in communication. Stephen’s responsiveness to questions and ability to support during challenging times are particularly appreciated. They have a Google review rating of 4.3.
Website: geauxhomebuyers.com
Phone number: 225-330-8418
New Leaf Homebuyers
New Leaf Homebuyers offers a straightforward solution for homeowners in Baton Rouge looking to sell their properties quickly and without the usual hassles. Their process is designed for speed and simplicity, offering fair cash offers within 24 hours of contact and the flexibility to close on the seller’s timeline.
Locations: Baton Rouge
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; New Leaf Homebuyers covers them.
Clients of New Leaf Homebuyers are highly satisfied with their experiences, often noting that the company exceeded their expectations. The team’s professionalism and pleasant and respectful demeanor throughout the selling process stand out in client reviews. They have a Google review rating of 5.0.
Website: selltonl.com
Phone number: 225-523-2086
Why sell your Baton Rouge house for cash?
There are plenty of valid reasons a Baton Rouge home seller may choose to work with a Cash-For-Homes company. The benefits of speed, certainty, and remarkable convenience are the most commonly cited.
In Baton Rouge, it typically takes around 92 days to sell a home on the market using an agent. That includes an average of 45 days on the market plus the typical 47 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 Baton Rouge, 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 Baton Rouge home for cash might be right under certain circumstances. Here’s when reaching out to a “We Buy Houses for Cash” company could make sense:
- Job relocation: Facing a rapid move for a new job? A cash sale is quick and efficient, perfect for those relocating for work.
- Divorce: During the tough times of a divorce, selling your home for cash can simplify dividing assets. Here’s how to navigate selling your house amid a divorce.
- Inherited property: Dealing with a home you’ve inherited can be overwhelming. A cash sale offers a straightforward solution, especially when you’re looking to sell an inherited house quickly.
- Downsizing: If it’s time to move to a smaller place or a retirement community, a cash sale means less hassle. Learn about options for downsizing.
- Major repairs needed: When your home needs more work than you can handle or afford, selling for cash can be a relief. Understand more about selling a house in poor condition.
- Avoiding open houses: Prefer not to have strangers touring your home? A cash sale eliminates the need for open houses.
- Foundation issues: Selling a house with foundation problems can be a deal-breaker in traditional sales, but cash buyers are often willing to take on these challenges. Here’s some insight into selling a house with foundation issues.
- Facing foreclosure: If you’re at risk of selling a house in foreclosure, a fast cash sale can provide a way out, allowing you to settle debts and avoid further financial damage. Find out more about avoiding foreclosure through a cash sale.
- Problem tenants: Want to sell a rental property but dread dealing with tenants during the process? Cash buyers can simplify the sale. Here’s how to handle selling a rental property with tenants.
- Selling from out of state: Managing a property sale from afar can be daunting. A cash offer simplifies this, making it a practical choice for those selling a house from out of state.
For homeowners in Baton Rouge navigating these scenarios, a cash offer can provide a timely and convenient solution. As we delve into the pros and cons in the following section, we aim to offer a balanced view to help you decide if selling your home for cash aligns with your situation and goals.
Pros and cons of house-buying companies in Baton Rouge
Working with house-buying companies in Baton Rouge presents a unique set of advantages and challenges. The most compelling benefits include the speed of sale and the ability to sell your home as-is without investing in repairs or staging.
Pros
- Quick closing: Selling to a house-buying company can significantly accelerate the selling process, allowing you to close in as little as a week.
- No need for repairs: These companies will buy your home in its current condition, saving you the time and expense of making repairs. Learn more about selling as-is.
- Cash offers: The certainty of a cash offer means not having to worry about buyer financing falling through due to contingencies.
- Simplified process: The sale process is straightforward, eliminating the need for open houses, showings, and negotiations.
Cons
- Below market value: The biggest drawback is that these companies usually offer less than what you might receive on the open market. Understand more about offers from cash buyers.
- Limited negotiation: Offers from these companies are often non-negotiable, leaving you with a take-it-or-leave-it decision.
- Potential for scams: While many companies are legitimate, the industry does have its share of scams. It’s crucial to conduct thorough research.
- Less profit: The convenience of a quick sale often comes at the cost of lower profit from the sale of your home.
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
The level of integrity and service you experience from a We Buy Houses for Cash company can vary, even within an established house-buying group that strives to maintain high standards. This is because many Cash-For-Homes companies are franchises and often use independent investors or wholesaling outfits. Your experience depends on the character of the person or group making the offer.
Before committing to 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.
HomeLight suggests you 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 use HomeLight’s Home Value Estimator to get an initial ballpark estimate in less than two minutes.
Other options to sell your Baton Rouge home quickly
Exploring other avenues to sell your home quickly in Baton Rouge opens up two main alternatives: iBuyers and listing with a real estate agent.
iBuyers: These digital-first entities use automated valuation models (AVMs) to provide near-instant property valuations and cash offers, often closer to market value for homes in better condition. The iBuyer process is streamlined and mostly online, wrapping up sales within days to a couple of weeks. Despite charging service fees around 5%-6%, platforms like Opendoor and Offerpad appeal to sellers with homes in areas of consistent housing types and in relatively good shape. Learn more about iBuyers.
Listing with an Agent: Contrary to the direct sale approach, enlisting a top real estate agent could expedite your sale, especially in a seller-friendly market. High-quality marketing and strategic pricing, guided by a professional, can lead to a fast sale at a premium price.
A key advantage of working with agents is receiving a comparative market analysis (CMA), usually offered for free, to price your home competitively. Moreover, experienced agents may connect you with buyers ready to make near-market-value cash offers. For those considering their options, HomeLight can connect you with a leading agent in your area to get started.
FAQs on Baton Rouge house-buying companies
By and large, most We Buy Houses for Cash companies in Baton Rouge 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 Better Business Bureau website. Watch for anything that just doesn’t seem right.
As described in our pros and cons list above, most Baton Rouge 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 Baton Rouge French Colonial could sell for $235,000 after repairs, but it’s going to need $30,000 of work to get there.
($235,000 x .70) – $30,000 = $134,500
In this example, a Baton Rouge We Buy Houses company might offer you around $134,500 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 a Baton Rouge 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.
1. Research and vet the house-buying companies that serve your Baton Rouge area. Our list above is a good place to start.
2. Submit offer requests to a few of the companies you like best.
3. Schedule any required on-site property visits.
4. Compare offers. Weigh the pros and cons and choose the best option for you.
5. 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 Baton Rouge vs. top Baton Rouge 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 Baton Rouge | Sell with a top Realtor in Baton Rouge |
| Selling timeline | 7 to 30 days | 92 days average; 45 to attract an offer, 47 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 |
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 Baton Rouge is currently worth about $235,000 and needs about $25,000 in repairs. Once the repairs are completed, the home might be worth around $260,000.
| Sell to a We Buy Houses for Cash company in Baton Rouge | Sell with a top Realtor in Baton Rouge | |
| Estimated sale price | ($260,000 x .70) – $25,000 = $157,000 | $235,000 |
| Market preparations | 0 | $2,350 (1% of sale price) |
| Agent commissions | 0 | $13,630 (5.8% of sale price) |
| Closing costs | 0 | $3,525 (1.5%) |
| Estimated take-home for seller | $157,000 | $215,495 |
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
- Quick sale: Selling to a house-buying company in Baton Rouge offers a fast closing process, appealing if you’re in urgent need to sell.
- Sell as-is: These companies purchase homes in any condition, eliminating the need for repairs or improvements.
- Cash offers: Expect a straightforward cash offer without the complexities of financing or contingencies.
- Below market value: Be prepared that offers from these companies are often below the market value of your home.
- Know your home’s worth: Always be aware of your property’s estimated market value before you proceed with a cash-offer company.
At HomeLight, we’re happy to lend a guiding hand in navigating 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 Baton Rogue agent.
Header Image Source: (Gower Brown/ Unsplash)
At HomeLight, our vision is a world where every real estate transaction is simple, certain, and satisfying. Therefore, we promote strict editorial integrity in each of our posts.
