We Buy Houses West Virginia: Top 4 Companies
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Joseph Gordon EditorCloseJoseph Gordon Editor
Joseph Gordon is an Editor with HomeLight. He has several years of experience reporting on the commercial real estate and insurance industries.
Fast facts about We Buy Houses companies in West Virginia:
- Your home will sell quickly: House-buying companies offer a fast, hassle-free sale, often closing within a week.
- It’s an “as-is” purchase: This means you can sell your home without making repairs or preparing it for showings.
- Cash offers are below market value: WBH companies pay less than market value for your property in exchange for a fast sale.
Are you a West Virginia homeowner who needs to sell your home immediately? Selling your property via the traditional real estate market is a lengthy and costly process, often taking several months, depending on your market. Instead, you may want to consider selling to a “We Buy Houses” company in West Virginia.
These companies will purchase your home for cash, regardless of its condition, often completing the sale in a matter of days. This is ideal if you need to sell your property quickly and want to skip the hassle of finding an agent or listing on the open market.
This post will outline how the process of selling your West Virginia home for cash works, break down the pros and cons, give you a list of companies in your area, and provide you with some alternatives to selling your home fast.
Disclaimer: This post is meant to be used for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Links and mentions of West Virginia area “We Buy Houses” companies should not be considered an endorsement.
Working with house-buying companies in West Virginia
Selling your West Virginia home to a We Buy Houses company is simple. Here’s a quick step-by-step look at the process:
- Contact the company: Find a reputable house-buying company in West Virginia and provide them with details about your property.
- Schedule an evaluation: The company will schedule a time to visit your home and assess its condition and value.
- Receive an offer: After the evaluation, the company will present you with a cash offer, typically within 24-48 hours.
- Accept the offer: If you agree to the terms, you will accept the cash offer and proceed with the sale.
- Close the deal: The company will handle the necessary paperwork and coordinate the closing process, often within a few weeks.
- Receive your payment: At closing, you will receive the agreed-upon cash amount, and the transaction is complete.
Popular We Buy Houses for Cash companies in West Virginia
If the process of selling to a house-buying company in West Virginia 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’ Colonial Revival or cottage. By selling to one of these companies, you should be able to sell your West Virginia home in as little as a week or two.
304 House Buyers
304 House Buyers, a family-operated company based in West Virginia, specializes in personalized real estate solutions. The company prides itself on educating homeowners about their selling options, whether that involves a quick cash sale or listing on the MLS.
Locations: Statewide
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; 304 House Buyers cover them.
Customers of 304 House Buyers consistently praise the company for providing straightforward and efficient home-selling experiences. Reviews note the ease and speed of transactions, particularly when dealing with inherited or rental properties that require significant work. They have a Google review rating of 5 stars.
Website: 304housebuyers.com
Phone number: 304-534-8861
Simple Sale (a HomeLight platform)
Simple Sale, a solution from HomeLight, is an online platform where sellers in West Virginia (and across the country) can request a cash offer for their home. Simple Sale connects you to the largest network of cash buyers in the U.S. Partner investors have a wide range of investment strategies, including fix-and-flip and buy-and-hold. This enables Simple Sale to provide cash offers for a wide array of properties, even those that need some or a lot of work, in different locations throughout West Virginia.
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 West Virginia
Closing costs: No prep costs, agent commissions, or fees charged by HomeLight. Individual investor fees may vary.
Simple Sale is a HomeLight platform. HomeLight was founded in 2012 and is BBB-accredited with an A+ rating. The company has 4.8 stars on Google based on hundreds of user reviews. Below, you can hear about how Baohan Wu, a seller who used Simple Sale to sell his high-rise apartment, closed within three and a half weeks and what he thought of the process overall.
Learn more: homelight.com/simple
Phone: 844-488-8455
MD WV Homebuyer
MDWVHomebuyer.com specializes in providing unique solutions for homeowners in distress. The company touts its ability to assist homeowners with challenges such as foreclosure, difficulty in selling properties, or the need to sell quickly for any number of reasons.
Locations: West Virginia and Maryland
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; MD WV Homebuyer covers them.
MDWVHomebuyer clients consistently praise the company for its professionalism, knowledge, and ethical conduct. Mike and Bill, the company founders, are commended for their deep understanding of the local real estate market and their dedication to assisting clients in any way possible. They have a Google review rating of 4.9 stars.
Website: wepaycashclosequick.com
Phone number: 304-758-3119
Sell My House Fast West Virginia
Sell My House Fast West Virginia specializes in offering homeowners a fast, straightforward selling process without the typical hassles of the real estate market.
Locations: West Virginia
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; Sell My House Fast West Virginia covers them.
Sell My House Fast West Virignia is not BBB-accredited, but holds a 5.0 star review on Google reviews. Reviews mention that the company was easy to work with and the sales staff was polite, prompt, and knowledgeable.
Website: sellmyhousefastwestvirginia.com
Phone number: 304-902-2686
Why sell your West Virginia house for cash?
Selling your West Virginia property for cash is ideal if you need to sell your home in a matter of days—not months. It is typically a much faster process than selling via the traditional real estate market.
In West Virginia, it typically takes around 93 days to sell a home on the market using an agent. That includes an average of 51 days on the market plus the typical 42 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 West Virginia, 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 of the most common reasons you might want to sell your home for cash.
- Job relocation: You need to move quickly for a new job and don’t have time for a traditional sale.
- Divorce: You need to sell your home swiftly to divide assets and move on with your life.
- Inherited property: You’ve inherited a house and want to sell it without dealing with repairs or finding a buyer.
- Downsizing: You’re looking to move to a smaller home or retirement community and prefer a quick sale.
- Repairs: Your home needs significant repairs, and you don’t have the funds or desire to fix it before selling.
- Open houses: You want to avoid the hassle and privacy concerns of hosting multiple open houses and showings.
- Foundation issues: Your home has structural problems, such as foundation issues, making it hard to sell traditionally.
- Foreclosure: You’re facing foreclosure and need to sell quickly to avoid damaging your credit further.
- Tenants: You have tenants in your property, and managing showings or evictions is not feasible.
- Selling from out of state: You live far away and need a simple, quick sale without traveling back and forth.
Pros and cons of house-buying companies in West Virginia
Working with house-buying companies in West Virginia has its pros and cons.
A house-buying company offers speed and buys your house in any condition without requiring you to make repairs or preparations. Here are the key benefits of working with these companies:
- Quick sale: You can often close within a week, much faster than a traditional sale.
- As-is purchase: You can sell your house in its current condition without making any repairs or upgrades.
- No contingencies: Cash sales usually involve fewer contingencies, reducing the risk of the deal falling through.
- Less hassle: You can avoid the stress of prepping your home for showings, hosting open houses, and negotiating with buyers.
On the downside, a house-buying company in West Virginia will likely offer you below-market value for your home compared to selling on the market with an experienced real estate agent. Here are the key drawbacks to consider:
- Lower offer: Cash buyers typically offer less than market value, which might result in lower proceeds from your sale.
- Potential scams: Some disreputable companies exist, so you need to be cautious to avoid scams.
- Limited negotiation: These companies often present take-it-or-leave-it offers, giving you little room to negotiate.
- Missed market opportunities: Selling quickly means you might miss out on higher offers that could come from traditional buyers.
Vet cash buyers and know your home’s worth
When working with a house-buying company in West Virginia, the integrity and service you experience can vary. Here’s how to vet cash buyers and ensure you know your home’s worth:
- Check reviews: Look up reviews on multiple platforms to see what others have said about their experiences.
- Read testimonials: Read testimonials on the company’s website and third-party sites to gauge satisfaction levels.
- Research market presence: Investigate the company’s history and performance in the market to ensure they are reputable.
- Know your home’s worth: Get an independent appraisal or consult with a real estate agent to understand your home’s value.
- Read the agreement: Carefully read the buying agreement before signing to ensure you understand all terms and conditions.
HomeLight suggests you consult with an experienced local agent to get a better idea of what your home might be worth if sold on the open market. Then, compare your cash offer. HomeLight can connect you with a top-performing agent in your market. You can also use HomeLight’s Home Value Estimator to get an initial ballpark estimate in less than two minutes.
Other options to sell your West Virginia home quickly
iBuyers
iBuyers use automated valuation models to provide near-instant home value estimates and offer a quick, online home sale experience. Companies like Opendoor and Offerpad provide all-cash offers, typically closer to market value, for homes in good condition. The iBuyer process can close within days to two weeks, though service fees of 5%-6% apply.
Listing with an agent
While you may seek a quick sale, listing with a top real estate agent can be a wise option. An agent can help you price and market your home effectively, potentially leading to a fast sale in a seller-friendly market. Consulting an agent provides the benefit of a comparative market analysis (CMA), often free, to help determine your home’s value. Agents may also connect you with buyers offering cash closer to market value. If interested, HomeLight can connect you with a top-performing real estate agent today.
FAQs on West Virginia house-buying companies
By and large, most We Buy Houses for Cash companies in West Virginia are legitimate businesses. Their services and transaction fees may differ, but the business model has been around for decades. If you use an established group with a track record, you can be fairly confident that it’s legit.
That said, as with any financial transaction, it’s a good idea to be on the alert for scams. Always research companies before you sign a contract. Check customer reviews, look at their online presence, verify professional licenses, get a referral if possible, and vet the company on the Better Business Bureau website. Watch for anything that just doesn’t seem right.
As described in our pros and cons list above, most West Virginia We Buy Houses for Cash companies apply the 70% rule, meaning they’ll offer you about 70% of your home’s after-repair value minus their estimated repair costs.
Here’s an example of what a simplified formula might look like:
(Your home’s ARV x .70) – repair costs
To see how this might work in a real-world scenario, let’s take a look at an example offer equation. Let’s say your West Virginia cottage could sell for $350,000 after repairs, but it will need $30,000 of work to get there.
($350,000 x .70) – $30,000 = $215,000
In this example, a West Virginia We Buy Houses company might offer you around $215,000 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 market value while charging a fee for their services.
When you accept an offer from a West Virginia 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.
- Research and vet the house-buying companies that serve your West Virginia 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 West Virginia vs. top West Virginia 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 West Virginia | Sell with a top Realtor in West Virginia |
Selling timeline | 7 to 30 days | 93 days average; 51 to attract an offer, 42 to close the loan |
Home preparations | None | Deep clean, declutter, make necessary repairs, landscape, stage home |
Showings | None | 10 to 25 showings average |
Inspections / repairs | None | May need to make additional repairs for the buyer or renegotiate the price |
Appraisal | None | May need to lower your asking price if the appraisal comes in low |
Title search | Cash-For-Homes companies often handle title issues | Must clear title before you can sell 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 | 5.8% average |
Closing costs | None | 1% to 3% of the home sale price on top of agent commission |
Example net proceeds
Below, we’ve compiled one example of how net proceeds may differ between selling a home to a We Buy Houses for Cash company and an agent-assisted sale.
Let’s say your home in West Virginia is worth about $316,000 and needs about $25,000 in repairs. Once the repairs are completed, the home might be worth around $341,000.
Sell to a We Buy Houses for Cash company in West Virginia | Sell with a top Realtor in West Virginia | |
Estimated sale price | ($341,000 x .70) – $25,000 = $213,700 | $316,000 |
Market preparations | 0 | $3,160 (1% of sale price) |
Agent commissions | 0 | $18,328 (5.8% of sale price) |
Closing costs | 0 | $4,740 (1.5%) |
Estimated take-home for seller | $213,700 | $289,772 |
As this example illustrates, financially, it’s usually in your best interest to partner with an experienced real estate agent.
However, net proceeds are not the only consideration when selling a home. What’s best in your situation will depend on the condition of your property, what level of repairs are needed, and your selling objectives. It could be that selling on the open market will be a challenge in your area, or the agent timeline might not fit your immediate needs.
Remember, you should always be aware of your property’s estimated market value before you proceed with a cash-offer company.
At HomeLight, we’re happy to lend a guiding hand in navigating your real estate journey. Let us help you make an informed and confident decision, whether you’re looking for a no-obligation cash offer through a trusted platform like Simple Sale or seeking to consult with a top West Virginia agent.
Header Image Source: (cboswell / Deposit Photos)