If you’ve been driving around in Asheville, chances are you’ve seen some billboards advertising companies that buy houses.
Often they say things like “We Buy Asheville Houses!” or “Cash For Your House”.
While these billboards may catch your attention, it’s essential to approach such offers with a healthy dose of skepticism. Not all “We Buy Houses” companies are created equal, and some may not have your best interests at heart.
Before engaging with any of them, take the time to research their reputation, check for reviews or testimonials from previous clients, and ensure they have a legitimate presence in the local real estate market. This due diligence will help you make an informed decision when considering selling your property to one of these companies.
Are These “We Buy Houses Companies” Credible?
How do I know if the local house-buying companies out there are honest and credible?
Well… sometimes they all look the same at the start… but below we’ll walk you through some things to look for in a local house-buying company before you should work with them.
Buying and selling houses is a valid and respectable profession that can help communities and house sellers in many ways. But just like any other line of work – a minority of house buyers in any market are the ones who make the rest of us look bad.
There are people who are great, ethical folks who improve their neighborhoods one property at a time.
And then there are shady, dishonest people who put money ahead of the well-being of their clients and who would sign the contract to sell their grandmother with one hand while stabbing you in the back with the other – as long as they were making enough money.
Yes, they are out there.
We’ll help you avoid these “shady house buyers” so you can work with honest, ethical, and reputable local companies who can buy your house for a fair all-cash offer and close on your schedule.
But let’s not focus on the negative – at least not yet.
First, let’s cover exactly what the best house flippers are doing.
What Reputable Asheville House Buyers Are Doing
- Helping folks improve their lives by accessing the money they need right away. People often need the cash in their house to cover unexpected medical expenses, or to relocate to be close to a relative. We can make that happen in just a few days, and we deliver peace of mind.
- Helping sellers get rid of a burdensome property without the hassle of having to list it with a broker and wait months and months for a sale. We understand that life can throw unexpected challenges your way, and we’re here to lend a helping hand in those difficult times. Whether you’re facing foreclosure, dealing with burdensome tenants, going through a tough divorce, or simply downsizing, we empathize with the stress and uncertainty that can come with such situations. Our primary goal is to provide you with a swift and hassle-free solution. We’re committed to ensuring that you can move forward with peace of mind, without the prolonged waiting and uncertainty that often accompanies traditional real estate listings.
- Creating local jobs. We hire plumbers, contractors, electricians, brokers, title reps, loan officers, administrators, and many other folks along the way. The average real estate transaction involves 86 people from start to finish. Our investments help create real jobs for people around Asheville NC.
- Buying US products. We spend tons of money on materials that are made right here in the USA – that creates jobs in our timber mills, factories, supply shops, distribution centers, and more. The US economy depends on steady improvement, and that requires investment from folks like us.
- Increasing the value of Asheville neighborhoods. When we improve a house, we’re helping to increase the value of the entire community. We often repair abandoned and neglected houses, turning them into beautiful homes for families. That activity strengthens Asheville.
- Increasing the tax base. When a new buyer takes over one of our properties, they’ll pay a higher tax rate based on the new and improved value. Those taxes go to pay for our schools, fire, police, libraries, streets, and other valuable pieces of infrastructure. Again, improving our neighborhoods.
Pretty cool stuff, right?
Lots of people think of house-flipping as a get-rich-quick scheme. That’s fueled by silly “reality” shows that amp up the drama because the reality of what we do on a daily basis is actually pretty boring.
Most of our work is coordinating with lots of people to make sure things are happening on time. We have to keep track of lots of moving parts.
When evaluating whether someone is a credible investor versus a potential house-buying scam, pay close attention to their ability to effectively manage the intricate details of the real estate transaction process. Reliable investors will have a proven track record of coordinating with various parties involved, such as contractors, inspectors, and financial institutions, to ensure that everything progresses smoothly and on schedule.
They should be able to provide references or testimonials from previous clients who can vouch for their professionalism and competence in handling complex real estate deals. A credible investor will not only talk the talk but will also demonstrate a consistent ability to walk the walk in the real estate market, making your selling experience transparent and trustworthy.
So let’s get back to how you can use this information to find out if someone is a credible investor, and not just pulling a house-buying scam.
How To Ensure You’re Working With A Reputable Local House Buyer
When you talk with a local house buyer to potentially buy your house… ask them some of the questions below to ensure they’re reputable, knowledgeable, and honest.
Ask open-ended questions like:
- How do you help your clients?
- What do you do for people?
- Can you tell me more about your services?
- What aspect of your business makes you the proudest?
- How would you describe your investment philosophy?
- How can I know that you’ll close on my house when you say you will?
Furthermore, inquire about their experience and track record in the real estate industry. You can ask questions such as:
- How many houses have you purchased in our local area?
- Can you provide references or testimonials from past clients?
- What challenges have you faced in previous transactions, and how did you overcome them?
- Are you familiar with the current market conditions and trends in our neighborhood?
- Can you explain the typical timeline for closing a deal like mine, including any potential delays or obstacles?
By posing these questions, you can gain a better understanding of their expertise and commitment to delivering a seamless and trustworthy home-buying experience.
Second, look for telltale signs of tactics that those few shady operators tend to use.
- “Kitchen table closings” – If a property buyer tries to get you to sign the deed (ownership) of your house over to them at your house, rather than a professional place like a closing attorney or title company… be leery. Most reputable house-buying services will perform the actual closing of the sale at a neutral 3rd party place… like a title company. This ensures everything is done right and on the up and up.
- Pressuring you into a fast closing – If a house buyer tries to pressure you into selling your house and says that you have to make the decision today, be leery. Most reputable house-buying services will make you an offer and that offer will be on the table for at least 2-7 days (minimum) for you to make a decision. A legitimate and trustworthy home-buying service will respect your need for time to review and understand all the terms and conditions of the sale. Rushed decisions can lead to costly mistakes, so take the necessary time to consult with professionals and ensure that the sale of your house proceeds smoothly and in accordance with all legal and ethical standards.
The reason reputable house-buying services like ours at 828 Cash Buyers do place deadlines on our offers is because the market changes and values can change week to week depending on other sales in the area, also… we buy multiple houses a month and when we make you an offer we’re assuring you that the cash to purchase your house is ready and we’ll reserve that cash for several days so if you do want to sell your house, we can close on your schedule. If you feel the offer isn’t a fit for you, then we’ll assign those funds to help another seller with their home sale.
Most scammers are looking for a quick score, and not an in-depth interview.
Chances are good that they’ll find excuses to get off the phone and move on to someone who doesn’t ask too many questions.
True investors who run honest and ethical Asheville house-buying services, however, are building long-term businesses based on relationships and community development.
Beyond the financial aspect, our mission is deeply rooted in improving the overall quality of people’s lives. We understand that life can throw unexpected challenges your way, such as sudden medical expenses or the need to relocate to be closer to loved ones during a crucial time. By providing you with quick access to the equity in your home, we aim to alleviate the stress and uncertainty that these life changes can bring.
Our goal is not only to deliver cash promptly but also to offer you the peace of mind and flexibility you need to navigate through these challenging moments with greater ease and confidence. Your well-being and peace of mind are at the heart of our mission, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.
So when you’re looking at one of the “we buy houses in Asheville companies“… never be afraid to ask questions!