{"id":7794,"date":"2020-08-02T16:36:27","date_gmt":"2020-08-02T23:36:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/?p=7794"},"modified":"2026-04-16T01:44:56","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T08:44:56","slug":"what-is-ibuyer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/what-is-ibuyer\/","title":{"rendered":"Selling Your House to an iBuyer or Investor? We’ll Help You Find the Highest Bidder"},"content":{"rendered":"

For decades, you\u2019ve seen it in the news, on billboards, even in your mailbox: Get an instant offer for your house. Close in as little as one week. We\u2019ll buy your house for cash, as-is.<\/em><\/p>\n

While most sellers are focused on commanding the highest price for their home, typically by listing on the open market with the assistance of a real estate agent, the direct-buy business model has stood the test of time by serving a portion of the 5 million-plus people who sell their home<\/a> each year who need a quick, no-fuss transaction, even if it means netting less profit.<\/p>\n

Need to uproot for a job? Financial hardship has you strapped? Here\u2019s a fast out \u2014 all you need to do is sell at a discount for that convenience, speed, and certainty. But who are these buyers making cash offers and are they all one and the same?<\/p>\n

More cash buyers to choose from today<\/h2>\n

What you might not realize is that the direct-buy market \u2014 or total pool of buyers out there making cash bids on houses \u2014 is increasingly diverse. You have buy-and-hold investors, fix-and-flippers, and high-tech, venture capital backed companies called iBuyers who\u2019ve entered the space in recent years. This latest grouping continues to expand into new markets and includes players like Redfin, Opendoor, and even real estate giant Zillow.<\/p>\n

Different buyers have varying offer packages and target different property types. Some will only purchase tear-downs while others scoop up homes in decent condition. One cash buyer could waive steps like the home inspection to provide a tighter closing and another could get you a better price.<\/p>\n

The bottom line is if you want to sell to a cash buyer, it’s important to do your homework and know who you’re selling to.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re here to help.<\/p>\n

First off, what is a real estate investor?<\/h2>\n

Let\u2019s start with the basics: Many cash buyers are real estate investors. A real estate investor purchases<\/a> property with the intention of building wealth. Real estate investors can be a corporation or a single person, and typically offer speed, flexibility, and cash for properties.<\/p>\n

There are three basic categories of real estate investor:<\/p>\n