We Buy Houses Westminster: Top 4 Companies
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- 15 min read
- 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.
Selling your home in Westminster can feel overwhelming, especially if it needs repairs and you need to sell your property quickly.
Fortunately, We Buy Houses companies in Westminster make all-cash offers for homes in any condition. This can be a good move for you if you lack the time, know-how, or money to make necessary repairs or simply can’t wait to sell your home.
This article will explain how selling your home to a We Buy Houses company in Westminster works. We will break down the process, provide you with some tips to get started, and give you some alternatives if you need a better option.
Disclaimer: This post is meant to be used for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Links and mentions of Westminster area “We Buy Houses” companies should not be considered an endorsement.
Working with house-buying companies in Westminster
Selling your home to a house-buying company in Westminster is a straightforward process, but there a few steps involved. Here’s a brief look at how it works:
1. Contact the company: Reach out to a local house-buying company via phone or online form to express your interest in selling.
2. Schedule a home visit: Arrange a convenient time for a representative to visit your home for a quick assessment.
3. Receive an offer: After the assessment, the company will present you with a no-obligation, all-cash offer for your home.
4. Review the offer: Take the time to carefully review the offer and consider whether it meets your needs and expectations.
5. Accept the offer: If you are satisfied with the offer, formally accept it to proceed with the sale.
6. Close the sale: Work with the company to complete the necessary paperwork and close the sale, typically within a week or two.
Popular We Buy Houses for Cash companies in Westminster
If the process of selling to a house-buying company in Westminster 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’ suburban ranch or two-story traditional. By selling to one of these companies, you should be able to sell your Westminster home in as little as a week or two.
Simple Sale (a HomeLight platform)
Simple Sale, a solution from HomeLight, is an online platform where sellers in Westminster (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 Westminster.
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 Westminster
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
Bigger Equity
BiggerEquity is a nationwide house-buying company that began operations in 2016. The company says it can make a cash offer in as little as seven minutes and close as quickly as seven days.
Locations: BiggerEquity buys houses throughout Colorado, including Westminster. The company serves homeowners in all 50 U.S. states.
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; BiggerEquity covers them.
BiggerEquity has been BBB accredited since 2018 and holds an A+ rating and 4.8 stars on Google. Customer reviews on Google for BiggerEquitynote a smooth, transparent, and up-front process without pressure or surprises.
Website: biggerequity.com/colorado/westminster
Phone number: 866-333-8377
We Buy Houses
WeBuyHouses.com was founded in 1997 and buys houses in 200 markets and 30 states in any condition. According to their website, they have been trusted by 1 million homeowners and can present a cash offer even if the homeowner is behind on their mortgage or facing foreclosure.
Locations: Nationwide, including Westminster.
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs; WeBuyHouses.com covers them.
WeBuyHouses.com has been BBB accredited since August 2020 and has an A+ rating. Customer reviews speak to its professionalism and an easy sales process.
Website: webuyhouses.com/CO/Westminster
Phone number: 877-932-8946
Watson Buys
Watson Buys will purchase homes in any condition, including those requiring serious repairs. Closing times and move-out dates are flexible, and the company can work with you if you’re located out of state.
Locations: Watson Buys has offices in Denver, Golden, and Avon and purchases properties throughout Colorado, including Westminster.
Closing costs: You pay no closing costs; Watson Buys covers them.
Watson Buys has consistent 5-star Google reviews between their Denver and Golden offices. The company holds an A+ Better Business Bureau rating. Many reviews speak of prompt and professional communication.
Website: watsonbuys.com/sell-my-house-fast-westminster-co
Phone number: 720-418-8670
Why sell your Westminster house for cash?
Customers of We Buy Houses companies are usually looking to sell their home in a few days, rather than waiting several weeks or months to sell via the traditional real estate market.
In Westminster, it typically takes around 66 days to sell a home on the market using an agent. That includes an average of 24 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 Westminster, 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 situations where you might want to sell your home for cash:
- Job relocation: Moving quickly for a new job can be stressful. Selling for cash lets you relocate immediately.
- Divorce: Settling matters quickly during a divorce is important. A cash sale provides a fast resolution.
- Inherited property: Managing an inherited home from afar is challenging. Selling for cash simplifies the process.
- Downsizing: Transitioning to a smaller home is easier with a quick cash sale.
- Extensive repairs: Avoid costly repairs by selling your home as-is to a cash buyer.
- Avoiding open houses: Skip the inconvenience of open houses and showings with a direct cash sale.
- Foundation issues: Selling a home with foundation problems is tough. A cash buyer will take it as-is.
- Foreclosure: Prevent foreclosure and settle debts quickly by selling your home for cash.
- Problem tenants: If managing tenants is a hassle, a cash sale can provide relief.
- Selling from out of state: A cash offer can make selling your Westminster property while living out of state a snap.
Pros and cons of house-buying companies in Westminster
Selling your Westminster property to a We Buy Houses company has its ups and downs. Here are some of the biggest pros and cons to keep in mind:
Pros
The biggest advantages of selling to a house-buying company in Westminster are the speed of the transaction and the ability to sell your house in any condition without making repairs or preparations. Here are some key benefits:
- Quick sale: Receive an offer within days and close in as little as a week.
- No repairs needed: Sell your home as-is without spending time or money on repairs.
- Certainty of sale: Avoid the uncertainty and contingencies typically involved in traditional home sales.
- Convenience: Simplify the process with minimal paperwork and no need for showings or open houses.
Cons
The most significant downside, however, is that you will likely receive below market value for your home compared to selling on the market with an experienced real estate agent. Here are some key drawbacks:
- Lower offers: Expect to receive offers that are less than the full market value of your home.
- Potential for scams: Be cautious of scams and fraudulent companies that prey on desperate sellers.
- Limited negotiation: Most offers are take-it-or-leave-it with little room for negotiation.
- Missed market opportunity: Selling quickly may mean missing out on potential buyers willing to pay more.
Vet cash buyers and know your home’s worth
When working with a We Buy Houses for Cash company in Westminster, the level of integrity and service you experience can vary. Here are some tips to follow so that you can be comfortable you are working with a reputable company:
- Check reviews: Look for online reviews and ratings to see what previous sellers have experienced.
- Read testimonials: Seek out testimonials on the company’s website to gauge satisfaction.
- Research the company: Investigate the company’s presence and performance in the local market.
- Verify legitimacy: Ensure the company is reputable and not a scam.
- Understand the agreement: Read the buying agreement carefully before signing to avoid any surprises.
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 Westminster home quickly
iBuyers
iBuyers use automated valuation models to provide near-instant home value estimates. This mostly online process results in all-cash offers, typically closer to market value for homes in good condition, with closing times ranging from a few days to two weeks.
However, companies like Opendoor and Offerpad often charge service fees of 5%-6% and are best suited for homes in good condition.
Listing with an agent
Although traditional, listing with a top real estate agent can result in a quick sale if your home is in a seller-friendly market and strategically priced. Top agents can sell homes for up to 10% more than average agents and often provide a comparative market analysis (often free) to help determine the right listing price.
Additionally, they might connect you with cash buyers. If you’re interested in this option, HomeLight can connect you with a top-performing agent in your area.
FAQs on Westminster house-buying companies
By and large, most We Buy Houses for Cash companies in Westminster 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.
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 Westminster suburban ranch could sell for $530,000 after repairs, but it will need $30,000 of work to get there.
($530,000 x .70) – $30,000 = $341,000
In this example, a Westminster We Buy Houses company might offer you around $530,000 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 Westminster 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 Westminster area. Our list above is a good place to start.
2. Submit offer requests to a few of the 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 Westminster vs. top Westminster 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 Westminster | Sell with a top Realtor in Westminster |
Selling timeline | 7 to 30 days | 66 days average; 24 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 Westminster is worth about $530,000 and needs about $25,000 in repairs. Once the repairs are completed, the home might be worth around $555,000.
Sell to a We Buy Houses for Cash company in Westminster | Sell with a top Realtor in Westminster | |
Estimated sale price | ($555,000 x .70) – $25,000 = $363,500 | $530,000 |
Market preparations | 0 | $5,300 (1% of sale price) |
Agent commissions | 0 | $30,740 (5.8% of sale price) |
Closing costs | 0 | $7,950 (1.5%) |
Estimated take-home for seller | $363,500 | $486,010 |
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.
Key takeaways
- Quick sale: Selling to a house-buying company can close a deal in as little as a week.
- No repairs needed: You can sell your home as-is without investing time or money in repairs.
- Convenience: The process involves minimal paperwork and no need for open houses or showings.
- Lower offers: Expect offers to be less than market value, which can mean less profit.
- Potential for scams: Be cautious and research thoroughly to avoid fraudulent companies.
- Limited negotiation: Most offers from house-buying companies are take-it-or-leave-it with little room for negotiation.
- Missed market opportunity: Selling quickly may mean you miss out on potential buyers willing to pay more.
- Know your home’s worth: 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 Westminster agent.
Header Image Source: (Logan Moreno Gutierrez/ Unsplash)