5 Top We Buy Houses for Cash Companies in St. Petersburg, FL
- Published on
- 14 min read
-
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.
-
Sam Dadofalza, Associate EditorClose
Sam Dadofalza Associate EditorSam Dadofalza is an associate editor at HomeLight, where she crafts insightful stories to guide homebuyers and sellers through the intricacies of real estate transactions. She has previously contributed to digital marketing firms and online business publications, honing her skills in creating engaging and informative content.
For most homeowners in St. Petersburg, Florida, the traditional process of selling a home in Florida can feel overwhelming, especially when facing financial strain, moving to a new location for a new job, or managing an estate. The lengthy timeline of listing, staging, and negotiating adds stress to an already challenging situation. This is where “We Buy Houses” St. Petersburg, Florida companies can be helpful.
Sell Fast With a Cash Offer or Top St. Petersburg Agent
Get an all-cash, no-obligation offer on your St. Petersburg home through HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform. Close in as few as 10 days with no repairs or showings. You can also request an expert estimate of what your home might sell for using a top St. Petersburg agent.
These businesses specialize in purchasing homes as-is, allowing sellers to skip the hassle of traditional home sales. Since these firms provide cash offers, they facilitate a quick and straightforward sale, which helps you focus on more important life matters. If you want to relocate fast, secure money right away, or simply avoid the headaches associated with conventional selling, work with a We Buy Houses company in St. Petersburg.
Working with house-buying companies in St. Petersburg
If you’re in a pinch and require a quick sale, house-buying companies in St. Petersburg can provide a straightforward path to relief. Here’s a breakdown of the primary steps you’ll encounter if you sell to a Cash-For-Homes company:
- Research companies: Start by identifying reputable house-buying companies in St. Petersburg. Look for testimonials, reviews, and any local references.
- Request an offer: Contact your chosen company and provide details about your property. They’ll typically assess the information and make a preliminary cash offer.
- Let the company evaluate the property: The company will send a representative to inspect your home. This allows them to confirm details and potentially adjust the offer based on the home’s condition.
- Review the offer: Once you receive the final offer, take your time to review it. Ensure it aligns with your expectations and needs.
- Complete paperwork: If you agree to the offer, you’ll proceed with the necessary legal documentation, typically facilitated by the buying company.
- Close the deal: After all the paperwork is settled, you’ll finalize the sale and receive your cash payment, allowing you to move on to the next chapter in your life.
Popular We Buy Houses for Cash companies in St. Petersburg
If the process of selling to a house-buying company in St. Petersburg sounds good to you, it’s time to find an established business you can trust.
We’ve compiled the top companies that pay cash for your Mediterranean-style home or your parents’ Bungalow. By selling to one of these companies, you should be able to sell your St. Petersburg home in as little as a week or two.
Pinellas Property Solutions
Pinellas Property Solutions, a real estate firm based in St. Petersburg, employs a team with over 30 years of experience in the Florida real estate market. It can close in as little as seven days and buys homes as-is regardless of the situation, helping sellers dealing with relocation, foreclosure, divorce, probate, and more.
Locations: St. Petersburg and surrounding locations
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; Pinellas Property Solutions covers them.
Pinellas Property Solutions has been accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) since 2019 and holds an A+ rating. It has a 5-star rating on Google, reflecting its commitment to excellent client service. Customers described the selling process as simple and fast, as the staff was easy to work with and helped them close ASAP without any issues. Others noted that they got the cash they needed right on time.
Website: go.ppsflorida.com
Phone number: 727-800-4013
Simple Sale (a HomeLight platform)
Simple Sale, a solution from HomeLight, is an online platform where sellers in St. Petersburg (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 St. Petersburg.
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 St. Petersburg
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. It’s BBB-accredited with an A+ rating, It’s BBB-accredited with an A+ rating, demonstrating its strong commitment to customer satisfaction and proven track record of reliable service. The company has 4.6 stars on Google based on more than 500 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 number: 844-488-8455
Revival Homebuyer
Revival Homebuyer is a local, family-owned homebuyer specializing in the Tampa Bay housing market. It is dedicated to maintaining honesty, transparency, and dependability in every real estate transaction. In the past five years, it has successfully bought over 1,000 properties, helping homeowners sell homes quickly at a competitive price.
Locations: All over St. Petersburg
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; The Revival Homebuyer covers them.
Revival Homebuyer has been BBB-accredited since 2019 and proudly maintains an A+ rating. Given the team’s professionalism, it has achieved an impressive 5.0-star Google rating, generated from more than a hundred reviews.
Customers expressed appreciation for individual company representatives who expertly removed the stress of home selling and made it a pleasant experience. Many sellers noted how attentive the staff were to their concerns, patiently and competently answering questions and guiding them through the process.
Website: revivalhomebuyer.com/sell-my-house-fast-in-st-pete/
Phone number: 813-548-3674
We Buy Houses St. Petersburg
Founded in 1998, We Buy Houses is a national homebuying network with independent franchise offices nationwide, including St. Petersburg. It buys single-family homes, condos, land, and other types of real estate.
The selling process includes the seller providing initial information on the property and then the company sending a representative out to view the home and make an offer. Once an offer is accepted, the company sets the closing date, and sellers can expect to close within seven to 14 days on average. We Buy Houses also works with foreclosures, sellers behind on payments, short sales, landlord-tenant situations, and vacant properties.
Locations: Nationwide, including St. Petersburg
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs. We Buy Houses covers them.
We Buy Houses has been BBB accredited since 2020 and has an A+ rating. Customer reviews mention the company’s reliability, responsiveness, and fairness. They also shared that selling was a quick and easy process and an overall great experience.
Website: webuyhouses.com/FL/Saint_Petersburg
Phone number: 813-452-4844
FL Cash Home Buyers, LLC
Established in 2011, FL Cash Home Buyers, LLC offers swift two- to four-week closings and accommodates seller timelines to facilitate a hassle-free transaction for Florida home sellers. It purchases properties in their current state with all-cash offers.
Aside from cash for houses, the company provides the “Novation” alternative, which involves making necessary property repairs and connecting with a third-party buyer, potentially yielding 10% to 15% higher returns than a standard cash offer.
Locations: Throughout Florida
Closing costs: Seller pays no closing costs; FL Cash Home Buyers covers them.
FL Cash Home Buyers has an excellent reputation, with 200 Google reviews and an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars. It has been BBB accredited since 2015 and holds an A+ rating. Online reviews highlighted clients’ satisfaction with the expedited and uncomplicated nature of the closing process, a sentiment that holds true even in challenging situations.
Website: floridacashhomebuyers.com/st-petersburg
Phone number: 954-519-7040
Why sell your St. Petersburg house for cash?
There are plenty of valid reasons a St. Petersburg home seller may choose to work with a Cash-For-Homes company. Speed, certainty, and remarkable convenience top the list.
In St. Petersburg, selling a home using an agent typically takes around 96 dayst. That includes an average of 50 days on the market plus the typical 46 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 St. Petersburg, and it’s clear why these We Buy Houses groups are an attractive option, even though they don’t always offer top dollar for the homes they purchase.
Let’s take a quick look at some common scenarios that might make selling to a house-buying company in St. Petersburg a good choice:
- Financial distress: Your home’s mortgage is becoming a financial burden, and selling quickly for cash can provide relief.
- Job relocation: You landed a new job in another city or state and need a rapid sale to facilitate your move.
- Foreclosure prevention: Selling a house in foreclosure for cash can help you settle lender debts before your credit takes a severe hit.
- Inherited property: You’ve inherited a house and want to sell it quickly to avoid ongoing maintenance and tax costs.
- Tenancy troubles: Managing rental property is no longer appealing, especially if dealing with problematic tenants.
- Property conditions: Selling a house in poor condition can be a better option if you’d rather not invest time or money in necessary fixes before selling.
- Elderly transition: You or a family member are downsizing or transitioning to assisted living, and a swift sale is preferable to fund and facilitate the move.
- Divorce settlements: Splitting assets can be smoother with a quick home sale, helping both parties move on.
- Privacy preference: You favor a discreet off-market home sale without public listings, showings, or open houses.
- Out-of-state homeowner: Managing a St. Petersburg property sale from afar feels daunting, and a cash deal offers simplicity.
For homeowners in these situations, the allure of a fast cash sale is undeniable. But before diving in, it’s important to review the pros and cons and explore all your options.
Pros and cons of house-buying companies in St. Petersburg
House-buying companies in St. Petersburg can be both a boon and a bane. It largely depends on your specific circumstances and priorities. Below are some key advantages and drawbacks of working with such companies.
Pros
For many, the upsides of house-buying companies in St. Petersburg lie in their promise of speed and willingness to pursue an as-is home sale, eliminating the need for costly repairs or intensive preparations. Here are the standout benefits:
- Fast process: One of the major advantages is the swift transaction. Often, you can close within days or weeks instead of months.
- No repairs needed: Regardless of your home’s condition, these companies will buy it, saving you time and money on renovations or fixes.
- Simple transactions: In cash offer deals, you engage directly with the buyer. You bypass the complexities of traditional real estate deals and enjoy smoother transactions.
- No commissions or fees: These companies don’t require commissions and often cover all the closing costs, saving you potential expenses.
Cons
While the Cash-For Homes business model is fast and streamlined, you will likely not get the best bang for your real estate buck. The most notable drawback is that you will likely receive offers from cash buyers for your property.
- Below market value: Generally, offers from these companies tend to be lower than what you might get on the open market with an experienced agent.
- Less negotiation and competition: With a fixed offer in hand, there’s typically less room for price negotiation. You also forfeit the opportunity of starting a bidding war that can happen with a traditional sale.
- Predatory practices: Some house-buying outfits may prey on your urgent situation, leading to pressure tactics or unfavorable deals.
- Scam risk: As with all industries, there is a risk of being targeted by scammers. Ensure you’re dealing with a reputable company.
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
While house-buying companies in St. Petersburg offer a convenient and rapid solution for your selling needs, it’s essential to remember that the integrity and service levels can differ vastly from one company to the next. Your experience will largely hinge on the character and professionalism of the individual or group presenting the offer.
Before you commit to any cash offer, vet the company meticulously. Dive into online reviews, sift through testimonials, and investigate their market presence and track record. Knowledge is your ally. Moreover, always make sure to read the fine print in the buying agreement. Understand every clause, term, and implication before making a commitment.
Consult with an experienced St. Petersburg 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 St. Petersburg, Florida. While searching and screening agents, use our Home Value Estimator to get an initial ballpark estimate in less than two minutes.
Other options to sell your St. Petersburg home quickly
Working with iBuyers
National iBuyers (instant buyers), like Opendoor and Offerpad, offer a mostly online, quick home sale experience through automated valuation models. These models rapidly estimate home values using current and past market data.
Generally, iBuyers provide all-cash offers closer to market value for homes in decent condition, with the entire process taking as little as a few days to two weeks. However, keep in mind they charge service fees, typically around 5% to 6%.
Listing with an agent
Though it might seem counterintuitive in a discussion about rapid sales, listing with a top St. Petersburg real estate agent can be swift, especially in seller-friendly markets. A well-priced, strategically marketed property can sell fast. Moreover, HomeLight data shows that the top 5% of agents sell homes for up to 10% more than average agents.
Beyond potential profits, agents offer a comparative market analysis (CMA), a report that evaluates your home against recently sold similar properties. This can guide your pricing decision and predict your sale speed. Many agents offer a CMA for free.
Moreover, some agents might link you with cash buyers offering a price nearer to your home’s market value. Considering an agent? HomeLight can connect you with St. Petersburg’s best professionals.
FAQs on St. Petersburg house-buying companies
By and large, most We Buy Houses for Cash companies in St. Petersburg 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 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 St. Petersburg We Buy Houses for Cash companies apply the 70% rule, meaning they’ll offer about 70% of the 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 St. Petersburg Bungalow-style home could sell for $450,000 after repairs, but it’s going to need $45,000 of work to get there.
($450,000 x .70) – $45,000 = $270,000
In this example, a St. Petersburg We Buy Houses company might offer you around $270,000 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 market value while charging a fee for their services.
When you accept an offer from a St. Petersburg We Buy Houses for Cash company, you will likely be coming to grips with a two-edged sword. On the one hand, 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 hand, 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 any hidden program fees might impact your bottom line.
- Research and vet the house-buying companies that serve your St. Petersburg area. Our list above is a good place to start.
- Submit offer requests to a few of the 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 St. Petersburg vs. top St. Petersburg 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 St. Petersburg | Sell with a top Realtor in St. Petersburg |
| Selling timeline | 7 to 30 days | 96 days average; 50 to attract an offer, 46 to close the loan |
| Home preparations | None | Deep clean, declutter, make necessary repairs, landscape, stage 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 agent 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 home in St. Petersburg is currently worth about $420,000 and needs about $50,000 in repairs. Once the repairs are completed, the home might be worth around $470,000.
| Sell to a We Buy Houses for Cash company in St. Petersburg | Sell with a top Realtor in St. Petersburg | |
| Estimated sale price | ($470,000 x .70) – $50,000 = $279,000 | $420,000 |
| Market preparations | 0 | $4,200 (1% of the sale price) |
| Agent commissions | 0 | $12,600 (3% of the sale price) |
| Closing costs | 0 | $6,300 (1.5% of the sale price) |
| Estimated take-home for seller | $279,000 | $396,900 |
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 in your situation will depend on the condition of your St. Petersburg property, the level of repairs needed, and your selling objectives. Selling on the open market could be a challenge in your area, or the agent timeline might not fit your immediate needs.
Key takeaways
- Make a quick sale: Cash-For-Homes companies in St. Petersburg facilitate a rapid sale process, freeing you from the hassle of traditional listings.
- Sell your house as-is: You can avoid repair and preparation costs. These companies buy your home regardless of its condition.
- Receive below-market offers: These companies typically offer less than what you might receive on the open market with a seasoned real estate agent.
- Know your home’s worth: Always be informed about your home’s market value. This ensures you’re getting a fair deal, whether selling to a cash buyer or through an agent.
- Consider alternative options: From iBuyers to traditional real estate agents, there are multiple routes to selling your home quickly in St. Petersburg.
As you contemplate selling to a St. Petersburg Cash-For-Homes company, it’s prudent to gather multiple offers and carefully weigh your options. Taking a step back to consider all avenues can ensure you make the best decision for your unique situation.
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 St. Petersburg agent.
Editor’s note: This post is for educational purposes only. Links to and mentions of St. Petersburg area ‘We Buy Houses’ companies are not endorsements. Additionally, program details may change frequently. Visit the home-buying company’s website for the most up-to-date information on each individual program.
Header Image Source: (felixtm/ Depositphotos)
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.