We Buy Houses Santa Ana: Top 5 Companies
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- 15 min read
Selling your California property can be difficult, especially if it needs repairs and urgency is a priority. Fortunately, “We Buy Houses” Santa Ana companies offer an alternative to selling via the traditional real estate market.
These companies cater to homeowners who lack the time, expertise, or money to prepare their homes for the market, letting property owners sell in a matter of days.
In this post, we’ll explore the pros and cons of working with house-buying companies in Santa Ana. By understanding these aspects, you’ll be better equipped to weigh your options and make an informed decision about selling your home quickly and efficiently.
Sell Your House Fast in Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana.
Working with house-buying companies in Santa Ana
If you need to sell your Santa Ana property in a matter of days, We Buy Houses companies are a good option. Here’s a brief look at the process of selling a home for cash:
1. Contact the company: Find a reputable house-buying company in Santa Ana and provide it with details about your property.
2. Schedule a home visit: Arrange for the company to visit your home to assess its condition so that it can make an offer on your property.
3. Receive an offer: The company will present you with a no-obligation cash offer after evaluating your home.
4. Review the offer: Consider the offer and decide if it meets your needs and expectations. There is typically no room for negotiation, as the offer is “take it or leave it.”
5. Accept the offer: If you agree with the offer, sign the necessary paperwork to move forward with the sale.
6. Close the deal: Work with the company to complete the closing process, often within a few days, and receive your cash payment.
Popular We Buy Houses for Cash companies in Santa Ana
If the process of selling to a house-buying company in Santa Ana 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 Spanish colonial revival or a Craftsman. By working with one of these companies, you should be able to sell your Santa Ana home in as little as a week or two.
Bigger Equity
BiggerEquity offers personalized solutions for homeowners navigating difficult situations such as debt, job transitions, divorce, or sudden moves. The team streamlines the process by providing cash offers within seven minutes, eliminating common hurdles tied to traditional home sales.
With closings available in as little as seven days, BiggerEquity delivers speed and certainty that home sellers seek.
Locations: Throughout California, including Santa Ana (serving all 50 U.S. states)
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; BiggerEquity covers them.
With a proven track record, BiggerEquity has been accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) since 2018 and now holds an A+ rating. Moreover, it has a high average review score of 4.8 stars on Google.
Clients say the company is a pleasure to work with, as they are professional, reliable, and efficient. Many highlight smooth transactions and positive experiences, noting they would confidently refer others who need to sell their homes quickly and with minimal hassle.
Website: biggerequity.com
Phone number: 866-333-8377
Simple Sale (a HomeLight platform)
Simple Sale, a solution from HomeLight, is an online platform where sellers in Santa Ana (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 Santa Ana.
With the platform, 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 Santa Ana
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 BBB accreditation in 2019 and now proudly holds an impressive 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
John Medina Buys Houses
Established in 2013, John Medina Buys Houses is a San Pedro-based real estate investment company specializing in quick and hassle-free home sales. The company is known for offering transparent, no-fee transactions designed to ease the burden on homeowners. With a strong commitment to simplicity and speed, they provide cash offers within 24 hours and can close in as little as seven days.
Locations: Throughout Southern California, including Santa Ana
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; John Medina Buys Houses covers them.
Respected for its ethical business practices, John Medina Buys Houses has been BBB accredited since 2015 and now holds an A+ rating. Many reviews cite an easy transaction process, from initial consultation through closing.
On Google, its profile earned a high 4.7-star rating. Clients share that their experience with the company was smooth, timely, and handled with care. Many felt supported throughout the process, with some even describing it as a much-needed solution during a challenging time.
Website: johnmedinabuyshouses.com
Phone number: 310-928-9688
Haven Homebuyers
Haven Homebuyers has assisted homeowners in Santa Ana and throughout Southern California with fast, efficient home sales. Sellers can quickly initiate the process by submitting a property address and a few photos.
The team then conducts a swift on-site evaluation, typically needing no more than 30 minutes inside the property. The company provides no-obligation cash offers within 24 hours and can close in as little as five days.
Locations: Throughout Southern California, including Santa Ana
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; Haven Homebuyers covers them.
Although not BBB accredited, Haven Homebuyers has received a high A+ rating from the bureau. Its Google Business Profile boasts a perfect 5-star rating. Clients say the team is consistently professional, easy to work with, and delivers smooth, on-time closings. They appreciate the stress-free process and look forward to continuing the partnership on future deals.
Website: havenhomebuyers.com
Phone number: 714-515-6515
We Buy Houses, Santa Ana
WeBuyHouses.com stands as a pioneer in the cash home-buying industry, with a presence in over 200 markets across 30 states. It’s widely respected for its credibility and nationwide coverage, connecting motivated sellers with seasoned local investors and ensuring a quick and efficient sale.
The company’s process is designed to be simple and transparent, helping homeowners avoid the complications of traditional listings.
Locations: Nationwide, including Santa Ana
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; WeBuyHouses.com covers them.
Review ratings for We Buy Houses can differ significantly depending on the location. This specific office has been BBB accredited since 2020 and holds a strong A+ rating.
Most reviewers often highlight feeling supported and well-guided from their initial consultation all the way to closing. Others noted how the team clearly explains all available options and follows through on promises, making them feel genuinely cared for throughout the process.
Website: webuyhouses.com
Phone number: 877-932-8946
Why sell your Santa Ana 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 house buying company.
In Santa Ana, selling a home on the open market using an agent typically takes around 78 days. That includes an average of 38 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 Santa Ana, 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.
Here are some common scenarios where selling your Santa Ana house for cash could be the right move for you:
- Job relocation: You need to move quickly for a new job opportunity and don’t have time for a traditional sale.
- Divorce settlement: You’re going through a divorce and want to sell your shared property as quickly and smoothly as possible.
- Unwanted inheritance: You’ve inherited a property and prefer a fast sale to avoid the hassle of maintaining the home and quickly divide the sale proceeds among heirs.
- Downsizing transition: You’re downsizing and want to sell your current home quickly to purchase a smaller one.
- Extensive repairs: Your home is in poor condition and requires significant repairs, and you don’t have the funds or desire to fix it up before selling.
- Open house stress: You want to avoid the hassle and intrusion of open houses and multiple showings.
- Structural damage: Your home has serious foundation issues, and you’re worried about the cost and complexity of repairs.
- Foreclosure solution: You’re facing foreclosure and need to sell your home quickly to settle debts with the lender.
- Existing tenants: You own a rental property with tenants and want to sell without dealing with lease agreements.
- Remote home sale: You’re living out of state and want to avoid the frequent travels back and forth when managing a home sale.
Pros and cons of house-buying companies in Santa Ana
Before partnering with a We Buy Houses company, it’s important to be aware of the benefits and drawbacks that come with the transaction so you can manage expectations. Here’s a quick look at the pros and cons of selling your home for cash:
Pros:
- Quick sale: House-buying companies can close the deal in as little as a week, offering a swift solution.
- As-is purchase: You can sell your home in its current condition without needing to make repairs or improvements.
- No contingencies: Sales typically come with no contingencies, ensuring a smooth and straightforward process.
- Smooth closing: Cash offers mean you won’t face financing issues or delays from the buyer’s side.
The biggest drawback is that these companies usually offer below market value for your home compared to what you might get with an experienced real estate agent. Here are some of the downsides:
Cons:
- Lower offers: Expect to receive less than your home’s market value.
- Scam risks: There are potential house-buying scams and disreputable companies in the industry.
- No negotiation: Offers are typically take-it-or-leave-it, with little room for negotiation.
- Service fees: Some companies may charge fees that reduce your net proceeds.
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
When selling your Santa Ana home to a house-buying company, the integrity and service you experience can vary widely. Here are key steps to vet cash buyers and know your home’s worth:
- Check reviews: Look up online reviews and ratings in third-party websites to see what other sellers have said about their experiences. Go through customer testimonials on the company’s website to gauge satisfaction and reliability.
- Research market presence: Investigate the company’s history and performance in the Santa Ana market.
- Evaluate the offer: Compare the cash offer with your home’s market value to ensure it’s fair.
- Read the agreement: Carefully read the buying agreement to understand all terms and conditions before signing.
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 Home Value Estimator to get an initial ballpark estimate in less than two minutes.
Other options to sell your Santa Ana home quickly
Working with iBuyers
Instant buyers, or iBuyers are a type of cash buyer that use automated valuation models (AVMs) to provide near-instant home value estimates. They offer a mostly online experience, making all-cash offers closer to market value for homes in good condition.
The process is quick, often closing in days to two weeks. However, major iBuyer companies like Opendoor and Offerpad typically charge service fees of 5% to 6% of the home’s sale price. This option is suitable for homes in homogeneous areas and of good condition.
Listing with an agent
While seeking a fast sale, consider listing with a top real estate agent. In a seller-friendly market, this can yield quick sales and potentially higher prices. An agent provides a comparative market analysis (CMA) to help set a competitive price, often for free.
Agents may also connect you with cash buyers that will provide offers closer to your home’s market value. If you decide to explore this option, HomeLight can connect you with a top-performing agent in your area.
FAQs on Santa Ana house-buying companies
By and large, most We Buy Houses for Cash companies in Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana 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 Ana Spanish colonial revival home could sell for $840,000 after repairs, but it will need $25,000 of work to get there.
($840,000 x .70) – $25,000 = $563,000
In this example, a Santa Ana We Buy Houses company might offer you around $563,000 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 the market value while charging a fee for their services.
When you accept an offer from a Santa Ana 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.
1. Research and vet the house-buying companies that serve your Santa Ana area. Our list above is a good place to start.
2. Submit offer requests to a few 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 Santa Ana vs. top Santa Ana 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 Ana | Sell with a top Realtor in Santa Ana |
| Selling timeline | 7 to 30 days | 78 days average; 38 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 Santa Ana is worth about $815,000 and needs about $25,000 in repairs. Once the repairs are completed, the home might be worth around $840,000.
| Sell to a We Buy Houses for Cash company in Santa Ana | Sell with a top Realtor in Santa Ana | |
| Estimated sale price | ($840,000 x .70) – $25,000 = $563,000 | $815,000 |
| Market preparations | 0 | $8,150 (1% of the sale price) |
| Agent commissions | 0 | $24,450 (3% of the sale price) |
| Closing costs | 0 | $12,225 (1.5% of the sale price) |
| Estimated take-home for seller | $563,000 | $770,175 |
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 sales: House-buying companies in Santa Ana can close deals in as little as a week, providing a fast solution for urgent needs.
- As-is purchases: You can sell your home without making any repairs or improvements, saving time and money.
- Lower offers: Expect offers to be below market value, which might not meet your financial expectations.
- No negotiations: Offers are typically take-it-or-leave-it, with little room for haggling.
- Service fees: Some companies charge fees that can reduce your net proceeds, so be sure to read the fine print.
- Home value: Always know your property’s estimated market value before you proceed with a cash-offer company.
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 Santa Ana 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: (Ronnie George / Unsplash)