We Buy Houses Staten Island, NY: Top 5 Companies
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Sam Dadofalza Associate EditorCloseSam Dadofalza Associate Editor
Sam 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.
Selling a home in Tottenville feels overwhelming when you’re trying to juggle a job move, a tight closing deadline, or a home that suddenly needs more repairs than you can afford. Perhaps you’re dealing with an inherited property in St. George or slowly realizing you don’t have the time (or energy) to wait months for the right buyer in Great Kills. In situations like these, searching for “We Buy Houses in Staten Island, NY” can seem like an easy way to get a quick offer and move on.
However, before you accept the first cash offer that comes your way, it’s worth understanding how these companies work and what you could actually walk away with. In this post, we’ll weigh the pros and cons of working with these businesses, helping you decide if selling for cash is the right fit for your situation. We will also explain how the process works.
Popular We Buy Houses for Cash companies in Staten Island
If you need to sell your Staten Island home quickly, a cash buyer can give you an alternative to listing on the open market and waiting for the right offer. You’ll find these companies serving homeowners across the borough, whether you’re in New Springville, Eltingville, or near the North Shore.
Here are some of the popular “We Buy Houses” companies to know if you’re considering a cash sale.
Real Property Buyers
Real Property Buyers is a Hewlett-based, family-owned homebuying company led by Michael Pinter that helps homeowners sell their properties quickly and with less hassle. Its direct-buying approach offers an alternative to the traditional process of listing a home with a real estate agent.
After conducting a property inspection, it presents a fair cash offer to the homeowner. Sellers can choose a closing date that works for them, with transactions typically completed in 7 to 10 days.
Locations: Staten Island, Brooklyn, Long Beach, Huntington, Melville, and Baldwin
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; Real Property Buyers covers them.
Real Property Buyers has been accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) since 2018 and holds an A+ grade. Its Google Business Profile holds a 5-star rating, as many clients commend its professional services and competitive offers. Some highlight how smoothly the process goes and appreciate that all questions are answered promptly.
Others share that Michael brings a strong understanding of real estate to each transaction and commend his reliability and willingness to guide homeowners through the process without unnecessary complications. Many say that the company is a good option for those hoping to sell quickly while avoiding a drawn-out experience.
Website: rpbuyers.com
Phone: 516-226-9690
Simple Sale (a HomeLight platform)
Simple Sale is an online platform by HomeLight that lets sellers in Staten Island (and across the country) request a cash offer for their home. It features 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 Staten Island.
With the platform, sellers can get a no-obligation, all-cash offer in 24 hours and sell their homes in as few as 7 days, skipping the months it can take to sell the traditional way.
Locations: Nationwide, including Staten Island
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 has been BBB-accredited since 2019 and now holds an impressive A+ rating. The company has 4.5 out of 5 stars on Google based on hundreds of user reviews.
Below, you can hear from Baohan Wu, a seller who used Simple Sale to sell his high-rise apartment, about how he closed within three and a half weeks and what he thought of the process overall.
Website: homelight.com/simple
Phone: 844-488-8455
Leave The Key Homebuyers
Located in Huntington Station, Leave The Key Homebuyers is a real estate investment firm that offers homeowners a fast and stress-free way to sell. The team, led by Benjamin Wagner, has extensive experience purchasing properties in “as-is” condition, helping clients bypass the complications of repairs and traditional listings.
They focus on simplifying the process with a clear, tailored approach for each seller. Homeowners typically receive a no-obligation cash offer within 24 hours of initial contact, and the team can finalize the deal within 7 days.
Locations: Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, and Long Island
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; Leave The Key Homebuyers covers them.
Accredited by the BBB since 2023, Leave The Key Homebuyers earned an A+ rating from the bureau. On Google, it received a high average review score of 5 out of 5 stars. Clients say the staff was accommodating and efficient, helping sellers move forward quickly and with peace of mind.
Some describe Ben and his team as dependable and straightforward, with reviewers highlighting their clear communication and professional approach. Others note how the staff takes the time to understand each homeowner’s circumstances, whether they need to sell quickly or have a property requiring substantial work.
Website: leavethekey.com
Phone: 631-388-7771
Cash Buyers New York
Established in 2000, Cash Buyers New York is a well-established firm with extensive knowledge of the local real estate market. The company’s experienced team, led by CEO Qasir Ahmad and Co-founder Jamil Reman, guides sellers through every step of the transaction, providing a professional yet approachable experience.
After viewing the property, the team presents a cash offer within 24 hours. They can close in as fast as 7 days, but sellers can also select a closing date that fits their schedule. The company prioritizes flexibility to meet each client’s needs.
Locations: Throughout New York, including Staten Island, Brooklyn, and Queens
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; Cash Buyers NY covers them.
Cash Buyers NY earned an A+ BBB rating and a perfect score of 5 out of 5 stars on Google. Reviewers commend the staff’s excellent service, answering questions and addressing concerns promptly. Some mention how Qasir made what initially felt like a daunting property sale much easier than expected.
Many are pleasantly surprised by the company’s offer after assuming the property would receive a lower valuation and appreciated the lack of pressure throughout the transaction. Most reviewers describe the closing process as smooth and straightforward and recommend Cash Home Buyers to homeowners seeking a faster sale.
Website: cashbuyersny.com
Phone: 646-920-8900
Five Boro Home Buyers
Five Boro Homes, based in New York, specializes in purchasing properties in any condition with quick cash offers. It assists sellers dealing with foreclosure, tenant eviction, bankruptcy, pending divorce, or inherited property. The team, led by Joe Ruben, removes the burden of commissions and repair costs, creating a smooth and efficient selling process. Homeowners typically receive a cash offer within 24 hours, with closings completed in as little as 7 days.
Locations: Staten Island and other key areas, such as the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, NYC, and Queens
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; Five Boro Home Buyers covers them.
Five Boro Home Buyers holds a Google rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars, with many clients sharing how they had a professional, respectful experience selling to the company. Some report how Joe made selling a rental property a positive experience, with reviewers praising his expertise and knowledge.
One client highlights how attentive and considerate the staff was throughout the transaction, making them feel supported along the way. They recommend giving Five Boro Home Buyers a chance to discuss selling options before choosing another homebuying company.
Website: newyorkhomesforcash.com
Phone: 516-870-4462
Working with house-buying companies in Staten Island
Partnering with a house-buying company in Staten Island can help you sell your home quickly without the typical hassle of showings and repairs. Here’s an overview of the process of selling your home for cash:
- Contact the company: Reach out to a local house-buying company to express your interest in selling your property.
- Provide property details: Share basic information about your home, including its condition, size, and any needed repairs. This helps the company assess the property’s value.
- Schedule a home visit: The cash buyer will likely arrange a time to visit and inspect your property, often at no cost to you.
- Receive a cash offer: After the inspection, the company will present a take-it-or-leave-it cash offer, usually within a few hours or days.
- Accept the offer: If you’re satisfied with the offer, you can accept it, and the cash buyer will handle the paperwork.
- Close the sale: Close on your timeline, often within a few weeks, and receive your cash proceeds directly.
Why sell your Staten Island 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 in New York, you’re looking at a more predictable, 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 Staten Island, selling a home on the open market using an agent takes around 108 days. That includes an average of 65 days on the market, from listing to signed contract, plus the typical 43 days a buyer needs to close on a purchase loan.
Compare that to the usual seven to 10 days promised by many house-buying companies in Staten Island, 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 a house-buying company may be the right fit.
- Job relocation: You’re planning to sell your home due to job relocation, so you prefer a fast transaction that allows you to focus on your new career assignment.
- Divorce settlement: Selling the home for cash during a divorce can provide a quick and clean break for both parties.
- Unwanted inheritance: If you’ve inherited a house that needs work, selling to a cash buyer can simplify the process.
- Shift to a smaller home: You’re ready to downsize and don’t plan to invest in repairs or upgrades.
- Extensive repairs: If your home is in poor condition and requires significant repairs you can’t afford, selling as-is to a cash buyer can be practical.
- Traditional sale stress: A cash sale is a private transaction, ideal for those who prefer not to hold open houses and invite strangers into their home.
- Structural damage: A house with foundation problems may be hard to sell on the open market, but cash buyers may consider it.
- Foreclosure solution: By selling to a house-buying company, you can avoid credit damage when you’re at risk of foreclosure.
- Problem tenants: If you don’t want the hassle of managing a rental, you can work with a house-buying company and sell your property even with tenants, so you don’t have to deal with evictions.
- Remote home sale: Selling from out of state is logistically challenging, but a cash buyer can save you travel and time.
Pros and cons of house-buying companies in Staten Island
Working with a house-buying company in Staten Island comes with its share of upsides and downsides. Below, we outline some of the main pros and cons so you can determine if a cash sale is the right solution for you.
Pros of house-buying companies
A significant advantage of a Staten Island house-buying company is the speed and convenience it offers. You can sell your house as-is without worrying about repairs or staging. Here’s a summary of its key benefits:
- Quick sale: Cash buyers often close within days or weeks, allowing you to move forward with your plans without a lengthy wait.
- No repairs: Selling as-is means you can avoid costly repairs or updates, no matter what condition your house is in.
- No showings: You won’t need to stage your home or hold open houses, making the process more private and less stressful.
- Fewer contingencies: Cash buyers generally eliminate contingencies that can delay or complicate traditional sales, ensuring a smoother, more direct transaction.
Cons of house-buying companies
While Staten Island cash-for-homes firms offer a streamlined experience, you’ll likely walk away with less profit than if you sold through an agent. Here are other potential drawbacks to keep in mind.
- Lower offers: House-buying companies pay less than the market value because they factor potential repair expenses and their desired profit into the offer.
- Limited buyer pool: Selling to a house-buying company can reduce your pool of potential buyers, which might limit options if you’re looking for the highest possible price.
- No agent guidance: You may miss out on expert advice that a real estate agent would provide to help you maximize your sale.
- Potential scams: Some cash homebuying scams include fake buyers, fraudulent offers, hidden fees, pressure to sign contracts quickly, and attempts to take control of a homeowner’s property without paying a fair price.
Vet cash buyers and know your home’s worth
Before committing to a cash offer, it’s crucial to vet the Staten Island company thoroughly. The level of service and integrity you experience from a house-buying firm can vary, so make sure to:
- Research market presence: Investigate how long the company has been buying homes in your area and how they’ve performed in the market.
- Check reviews: Look for online reviews and ratings to see what other sellers in Staten Island have said about their experience with the company.
- Request references: Go beyond reviews and ask actual clients to get a better sense of the company’s reputation and trustworthiness.
- Examine the agreement: Before signing anything, read the purchase agreement carefully to ensure you fully understand the terms and conditions of the sale.
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 Staten Island. You can also use our free Home Value Estimator to get an initial ballpark estimate in less than two minutes.
Other options to sell your Staten Island home quickly
Working with iBuyers
Instant buyers or iBuyers use automated valuation models (AVMs) to estimate home values quickly, allowing for a nearly instant offer. Businesses like Opendoor and Offerpad provide all-cash offers closer to market value, with closings typically within days to two weeks.
However, iBuyer companies often charge a sizable service fee, ranging from 5% to 6% of the home’s sale price. This is an ideal option for Staten Island sellers whose homes are well-maintained in regions with uniform housing.
Listing with an agent
Listing with a top agent in Staten Island can be a smart option if your home is market-ready. These professionals deliver higher offers than cash buyers, with the top 5% of agents often achieving up to 10% more than average agents.
An agent will also provide a comparative market analysis (CMA), often free, to help set the right price. Additionally, an experienced agent might introduce you to cash buyers in New York who are willing to pay closer to market value. If you’re interested in exploring this option, HomeLight can connect you with a leading agent in New York.
»Learn more: Not sure whether to fix up your home or sell it as-is to a cash buyer? Try our Home Cash Offer Comparison Calculator to compare potential offers and see which option could put more money in your pocket.
FAQs on Staten Island house-buying companies
By and large, most We Buy Houses for Cash companies in Staten Island 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 Staten Island 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), then deduct 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 Staten Island Colonial-style home could sell for $710,000 after repairs, but it will need $25,000 of work to get there.
($710,000 x .70) – $25,000 = $472,000
In this example, a Staten Island We Buy Houses company might offer you around $472,000 for your home. However, different types of house-buying companies will offer varying amounts for homes.
As mentioned previously, iBuyers tend to pay more than We Buy Houses companies because they look for homes in better condition. An iBuyer might pay you 90% or more of the market value while charging a fee for their services.
When you accept an offer from a Staten Island We Buy Houses for Cash company, you’ll likely be coming to grips with a double-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 it’s 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 will be the price you walk away with at the end of the deal. Ask the company if any hidden program fees might impact your bottom line.
- Research and vet the house-buying companies that serve your Staten Island area. Our list above is a good place to start.
- Submit offer requests to a few companies you like best.
- Schedule any required on-site property visits.
- Compare offers. Weigh the pros and cons and choose the best option for you.
- Close the sale in a week to 30 days and get paid. (Some companies will let you choose a closing date up to 90 days after accepting the offer, which can be helpful when planning a move.)
We Buy Houses for Cash in Staten Island vs. top Staten Island 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 Staten Island | Sell with a top Realtor in Staten Island |
| Selling timeline | 7 to 30 days | 108 days average; 65 to attract an offer, 43 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 | Financed buyers use a mortgage 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 Staten Island is worth about $685,000 and needs about $25,000 in repairs. Once the repairs are completed, the home might be worth around $710,000.
| Sell to a We Buy Houses for Cash company in Staten Island | Sell with a top Realtor in Staten Island | |
| Estimated sale price | ($710,000 x .70) – $25,000 = $472,000 | $685,000 |
| Market preparations | 0 | $6,850 (1% of the sale price) |
| Agent commissions | 0 | $20,550 (3% of the sale price) |
| Closing costs | 0 | $10,275 (1.5% of the sale price) |
| Estimated take-home for seller | $472,000 | $647,325 |
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 timeline might not fit your immediate needs.
Key takeaways
- Fast closing: House-buying companies can offer a quick and simple sale, often closing within days or weeks.
- No repairs needed: Cash buyers typically purchase homes as-is, allowing you to skip costly repairs or upgrades.
- Lower offers: Expect cash offers from these companies to be below market value, as they factor in resale and repair costs.
- Quick sale alternatives: Working with iBuyers and listing with an agent can also lead to a faster sale while providing more competitive offers in many cases.
- Home valuation insights: Always be aware of your property’s estimated market value before you proceed with a cash-offer company to avoid accepting extremely low offers.
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 Staten Island, NY agent.
Editor’s note: This post is for educational purposes only. Links to and mentions of Staten Island 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.
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