5 Top We Buy Houses for Cash Companies in Santa Barbara
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Syndie Eardly, Contributing AuthorClose
Syndie Eardly Contributing AuthorSyndie Eardly is a veteran journalist and legal reporter with more than 20 years’ experience, writing for the real estate, mortgage and title insurance industries. She has helped launch several online publications, including DoddFrankUpdate.com, which was launched after the Great Recession to cover the many legislative efforts that followed. Syndie resides in Cleveland, Ohio, where she enjoys the lively restaurant scene, spending meditative time on the beautiful shores of Lake Erie, and hiking in the Emerald Necklace and Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
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Richard Haddad, Executive EditorClose
Richard Haddad Executive EditorRichard 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.
“We Buy Houses” Santa Barbara, California, companies make all-cash offers for homes that often need some work. This enables sellers who lack the time, expertise, and money for repairs to move quickly and receive the cash proceeds from their homes sooner if they need it.
Selling your home quickly might be part of the solution for managing debt or unexpected expenses brought on by a sudden life change, like job loss, divorce, property damage from a natural disaster, a health crisis, or the need to cash out an inherited Santa Barbara property and settle an estate
Need to Sell Your House Fast in Santa Barbara?
Get an all-cash, no-obligation offer through HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform whenever you’re ready. Receive your offer in as little as 24 hours and close in as few as 10 days. No showings, no repairs, no open houses. Available to sellers in Santa Barbara.
If you need to sell your Santa Barbara 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 a Santa Barbara house-buying company might offer for your home and consider 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.
Working with house-buying companies in Santa Barbara
We Buy Houses companies in Santa Barbara 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 an overview of the process of selling your house for cash:
- You request an all-cash offer. The company will ask you to provide information about your house and property. Some We Buy Houses groups will make a preliminary offer shortly after you submit the request. However, the initial offer is typically subject to change after they have inspected your home.
- The company performs a walk-through. This on-site property visit typically takes 24 to 48 hours, but the timeframe may vary depending on the company and market.
- You receive a firm offer. You may receive the official cash offer within 24 hours of the on-site visit, but the company may also present it at the end of the walk-through. At this point, you can accept or decline the offer. The majority of house-buying companies do not negotiate. They usually present a take-it-or-leave-it sale price.
- If you accept the offer, you’ll both sign a sales contract. With a signed sales agreement, the closing process will begin. Some house-buying companies initially provide a large deposit or funds to assist the seller with moving costs, while others pay for the property upfront.
- Close the sale and get paid quickly. We Buy Houses companies can close your home sale within seven days to a few weeks. This can vary by company, and sellers who work with a house-buying company often enjoy flexibility in selecting a move-out date that works for them.
Popular We Buy Houses for Cash companies in Santa Barbara
If the process of selling to a house-buying company in Santa Barbara 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 property, whether that’s a Mediterranean revival, a Spanish villa, or a modern coastal home. By working with one of these companies, you should be able to sell your Santa Barbara home in as little as a week or two.
Express Homebuyers
Established in 2003, Express Homebuyers eases the home-buying process when sellers face difficult circumstances, including divorce, an unwanted inheritance, and a difficult-to-maintain property. Since its founding, it has purchased more than 4,000 homes.
The house-buying company makes an offer within 24 hours of receiving property information. Committed to facilitating a convenient transaction, the team lets sellers choose their closing date.
Locations: Throughout California, including Santa Barbara, and several states nationwide
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; Express Homebuyers covers them.
Acknowledged for upholding integrity in its operations, Express Homebuyers has been accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) since 2004 and has an A+ rating. Customer reviews highlighted great communication throughout transactions, as well as how easy the process was.
Several clients, including one who acknowledged being disabled, expressed satisfaction with Express Homebuyers’ comprehensive services. One reviewer noted that when his renter left a month earlier than expected, Express Homebuyers responded proactively to speed up the sale. The company’s Google Business Profile reflects a 4.4-star rating.
Website: expresshomebuyers.com
Phone: 877-804-5252
Simple Sale (a HomeLight platform)
Simple Sale, a solution from HomeLight, is an online platform where sellers in Santa Barbara 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 US, 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 Santa Barbara.
With the platform, you can get an all-cash offer in as little as 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 Santa Barbara
Closing costs: No prep costs, no agent commissions, and no 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 BBB accreditation in 2019 and now maintains an impressive A+ rating. The company has 4.6 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
John Medina Buys Houses
Founded in 2013, John Medina Buys Houses is a family-owned home-buying investment company. The team strives to present the highest possible offer to its clients by doing due diligence and extensive research on the home and the current market.
They keep renovation costs as low as possible while considering the property’s market value and necessary repairs. The team presents offers within 24 hours of initial contact.
The company asks homeowners to fill out a form that provides information about the house and the owner’s selling timeline. A representative will then schedule an appointment to walk through the home and determine an offer price. No cleaning or repairs are required. The company can close in as little as 7 days.
Locations: Throughout California, including Santa Barbara
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; John Medina Buys Houses covers all costs.
John Medina Buys Houses has been BBB accredited since September 2015 and currently has an A+ rating. It earned praise for the staff’s outstanding professionalism and communication. Some reviewers highlight how thorough the team was in explaining every step of the process, putting them at ease as they were trying to make decisions in personally stressful situations. John Medina Buys Houses has a 4.7-star rating on Google.
Website: johnmedinabuyshouses.com
Phone: 310-928-9688
WeBuyHouses.com
Founded in 1997, WeBuyHouses.com has acquired numerous properties across 200 markets in over 30 states. The company provides cash offers even in complex situations, such as mortgage delinquency or impending foreclosure. Their process involves collecting property details from the homeowner, conducting market research, and completing a home tour.
A no-obligation cash offer is typically extended within 24 to 48 hours following the visit. Once accepted, closings generally occur within 7 to 14 days.
Locations: Nationwide, including Santa Barbara
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; WeBuyHouses.com covers them.
WeBuyHouses.com has maintained BBB accreditation since 2020, and currently holds an A+ rating. Customer reviews frequently highlight the professionalism of the staff and the streamlined, straightforward nature of the sales process.
Many clients commend the company’s efficiency in completing transactions. Others have noted the team’s flexibility, particularly in accommodating preferred closing dates, an important factor for those navigating major life transitions, such as an upcoming cross-country move.
Website: webuyhouses.com
Phone: 877-932-8946
Osborne Homes
Osborne Homes is a trusted California-based home-buying company that purchases all types of residential properties, including distressed homes, foreclosures, tenant-occupied rentals, inherited properties, and vacation homes. The team conducts its own property assessments and presents fair, no-obligation cash offers directly to sellers.
Closings are facilitated through reputable local title companies to ensure a smooth and secure transaction. Sellers can expect to receive their cash quickly, often in as little as seven days.
Locations: Throughout California, including Santa Barbara
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; Osborne Homes covers them.
Recognized for its integrity, Osborne Homes has been accredited since 2022 and maintains an A+ rating. Its Google Business Profile reflects an average review score of 3.6 stars.
Some clients shared that they sold inherited or distressed homes through Osborne Homes, and they noted how emotionally and logistically challenging the process can be, especially when the property holds sentimental value but requires significant repairs. Many commend the team’s professionalism, empathy, and patience during such difficult transitions.
Website: osbornehomes.com
Phone: 844-207-0788
Why sell your Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara, selling a home on the open market using an agent typically takes about 82 days. That includes an average of 41 days listed on the market until a signed contract, plus the 41 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 Santa Barbara, 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 becoming increasingly popular, especially among sellers who don’t have the time to spend weeks or months preparing, marketing, and closing a traditional home sale. Let’s explore some of the most common reasons Santa Barbara sellers choose to work with top We Buy Houses for Cash companies instead of listing their property the traditional way.
Job relocation: You need to move quickly for a new job and can’t wait for a traditional home sale. - Divorce settlement: You want to quickly divide assets and move on with your life.
- Unwanted inheritance: You’ve inherited a house and prefer a quick sale to dealing with maintenance or renting.
- Downsizing transition: You’re looking to move into a smaller home or retirement community without the hassle of prepping and showing your current home.
- Repairs needed: Your home is in poor condition and requires significant repairs that you can’t afford or don’t want to manage.
- Open house stress: You prefer to avoid the inconvenience of multiple showings and open houses.
- Structural damage: Your home has foundation problems, making it less attractive to traditional buyers.
- Foreclosure solution: You’re facing foreclosure and need to sell quickly to settle your debts.
- Problem tenants: You’re a landlord tired of managing tenants and want to sell your rental property quickly.
- Remote home sale: You own a property in Santa Barbara but live elsewhere and want the convenience of a fast, out-of-state sale that eliminates back-and-forth trips.
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.
Pros and cons of house-buying companies in Santa Barbara
The speed and convenience of selling to a house-buying firm may appeal to you, but it can be challenging to balance those benefits against the higher costs typically associated with 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 consider your options.
Pros to We Buy Houses for Cash in Santa Barbara
One of the biggest advantages of working with We Buy Houses for Cash companies in Santa Barbara 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:
- Speedy transaction: You typically can sell your house in as few as seven to 10 days.
- More certainty: With a pre-offer walk-through, a house-buying company can provide a firm cash offer with few or no contingencies. We Buy Houses companies have refined their transaction methods to clear away many traditional roadblocks so sellers can plan with more confidence.
- No repairs: If your home needs repairs you can’t afford, you can skip them altogether. Or, if you don’t have the desire or time to tackle repairs, a We Buy Houses company can be a fitting solution to sell a home in poor condition.
- Less hassle: You won’t need to worry about showings, open houses, offer comparisons, negotiations, low appraisals, or the risk of the buyer’s financing falling through. When you work with a reputable We Buy Houses for Cash company in Santa Barbara, you’re likely going to experience a smooth journey from offer to close.
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.
Cons to We Buy Houses for Cash in Santa Barbara
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:
- Lower-priced offers: Most companies follow the 70% rule, meaning they’ll offer you about 70% of your home’s after-repair value (ARV) — the value that your house could sell for on the market once it’s all fixed up — minus repair costs. This means the cash offer you receive may be markedly lower than what you could get for your home on the market.
- Inconsistent market knowledge: There can be a vast difference in a house-buying company’s knowledge of a market. One may have localized information, such as specific neighborhood data, which enables the company to leverage that knowledge into more competitive cash offers. A company without this expertise may give you a lowball offer.
- Untrustworthy company: As with any industry, there’s a risk of falling in with a less trustworthy company. Some cash-offer outfits posing as legitimate entities engage in house-buying scams, though it’s rare.
- Pressure tactics: We Buy Houses for Cash companies know that homeowners in need of a quick sale are often facing a desperate situation. While many offer real solutions, some take advantage of this urgency by applying pressure tactics. If you feel pressured to accept an offer, step away and reassess your options. There are a good number of established We Buy Houses for Cash companies in Santa Barbara from which to choose.
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.
Vet cash buyers and know your home’s worth
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 also has led to what some housing advocates say are 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.
Get a home value estimate
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 estimate in less than two minutes.
Curious What Your Home Is Worth?
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Other options to sell your home quickly
Working with iBuyers
Within the cash-for-homes industry, you’ll also encounter a particular group of companies known as instant buyers or iBuyers. These businesses 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 facilitate a user-friendly, mostly online home sale experience. iBuyer companies 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.
When considering the iBuyer option, it’s important to note that major companies like Opendoor and Offerpad typically charge sizable service fees that can range between 5% and 6% of the home’s sale price.
Sellers who may be a good fit to work with an iBuyer in Santa Barbara include those who prefer to skip staging and showing their home, live in an area with somewhat similar housing, and have a home in relatively good shape.
Listing with an agent
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 82 days. But it’s wise to consider all your options.
If your home is in a seller-friendly market, 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 market report calculates the value of a home based on its 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 cash buyers willing to pay closer to your home’s market value.
Many agents will provide a CMA free, with no obligation to list your home with them. It can be a valuable tool to consider 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.
FAQs on Santa Barbara house-buying companies
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 legitimate.
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 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 Santa Barbara Spanish revival home could sell for $2,155,000 after repairs, but it’s going to need $75,000 of work to get there.
($2,155,000 x .70) – $75,000 = $1,433,500
In this example, a Santa Barbara We Buy Houses company might offer you about $1,433,500 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 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.
Accepting an offer from a top We Buy Houses for Cash company in Santa Barbara can be a bit of a trade-off. On one hand, it typically won’t cost you extra, as these companies take care of most of the process after the offer is made. On the other hand, you’ll likely end up receiving less 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 ask the company if there are any hidden program fees that might affect your bottom line.
- Research and vet the house-buying companies that serve your 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. Consider 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 Santa Barbara vs. a top Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara | Sell with a top Realtor® in Santa Barbara |
| Selling timeline | 7 to 30 days | 82 days average; 41 to attract an offer, 41 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 and 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 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 Mediterranean-style home in Santa Barbara is currently worth about $2,080,000 and needs about $75,000 in repairs. Once the repairs are completed, the home might be worth about $2,155,000.
| Sell to a We Buy Houses for Cash company in Santa Barbara | Sell with a top Realtor in Santa Barbara | |
| Estimated sale price | ($2,155,000 x .70) – $75,000 = $1,433,500 | $2,080,000 |
| Market preparations | 0 | $20,800 (1% of the sale price) |
| Agent commissions | 0 | $62,400 (3% of the sale price) |
| Closing costs | 0 | $31,200 (1.5% of the sale price) |
| Estimated take-home for seller | $1,433,500 | $1,965,600 |
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
- Quick, convenient sale: We Buy Houses for Cash companies in Santa Barbara can help you sell your home in as few as seven days with no repairs, open houses, or showings.
- Due diligence: There are a number of reputable cash-for-homes companies serving Santa Barbara, but it’s important to vet each potential partner to ensure they align with your selling goals.
- Quick sale alternatives: Using a We Buy Houses company could mean leaving a significant amount of money on the table compared to an agent-assisted or iBuyer sale.
- Legitimate cash buyers: HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform provides no-obligation, all-cash offers for homes in almost any condition in Santa Barbara. Because the platform has partner investors with different buying parameters across the region, it can be a great starting point if you aren’t sure who would buy your home.
House-buying companies can be a good alternative for Santa Barbara 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 evaluate 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.
Editor’s note: This post is for educational purposes only. Links to and mentions of Santa Barbara 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: (Yifan Ma / 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.
