We Buy Houses Belleville: 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.
If you’re in Belleville and need to sell your home quickly, a We Buy Houses company might be the right solution. These companies offer cash for homes, often purchasing properties that need some repairs or upgrades. This means you can skip the hassle of making expensive fixes before selling.
A cash sale is particularly appealing if you don’t have the time, money, or experience to tackle renovations. You’ll receive the proceeds fast, allowing you to focus on the next chapter of your life. Whether it’s due to a sudden job relocation, financial strain, or another urgent reason, selling for cash may be a goodl option.
In this guide, we’ll explore the pros and cons of working with these companies to help you make an informed decision that best suits your needs.
Disclaimer: This post is meant to be used for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Links and mentions of Belleville area “We Buy Houses” companies should not be considered an endorsement.
Working with house-buying companies in Belleville
Selling your Belleville home to a house-buying company can be a quick and straightforward process, especially if you need to move fast. Here are the basic steps to expect:
- Contact the company: Reach out to a house-buying company in Belleville by phone or online to express interest in selling your home for cash.
- Provide home details: Share basic information about your property, including its location, condition, and any unique features.
- Schedule a home visit: The company will arrange a time to visit your home for a walkthrough or inspection to assess its current condition.
- Receive a cash offer: Based on the home’s condition and the local market, the company will present you with a take-it-or-leave-it cash offer.
- Accept the offer: If the offer meets your needs, you can accept it and move forward with the sale.
- Close the deal: The company will handle most of the paperwork, and you’ll typically close within days, receiving your cash quickly.
Popular We Buy Houses for Cash companies in Belleville
If the process of selling to a house-buying company in Belleville 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’ Bungalow or Queen Anne. By selling to one of these companies, you should be able to sell your Belleville home in as little as a week or two.
Windy City Solutions
Windy City Solutions has been in business for five years in the greater Chicago area.
It is more selective with properties than other cash-for-homes companies but touts that it can proceed quickly with the sale—sometimes, offering payment on the same day. They will consider small multi-family properties of 2-4 units.
Locations: All of Illinois
Closing costs: Sellers pay no closing costs.
Windy City Solutions enjoys a 5-star rating on Google, with customers praising their patience and professionalism. Reviews mention note that company exceeded expectations and demonstrated a customer-centric, non-pushy attitude.
Website: windycitysolutions.com
Phone: 708-853-8064
Simple Sale (a HomeLight platform)
Simple Sale, a solution from HomeLight, is an online platform where sellers in Belleville (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 Belleville.
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 Belleville
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
I Buy IL
I Buy IL can make a cash offer within 24 hours and offers a flexible closing date in as little as seven days. They specialize in probate cases, so sellers who have experienced a death in the family may be particularly interested in the expertise that I Buy IL has to offer. They can even help with moving services and/or removing unwanted items.
Locations: Statewide
Closing costs: No closing costs for sellers.
With a 4.2-star Google rating, I Buy IL has a great reputation among past clients for honesty and professionalism. Reviews express gratitude for their willingness to help them with difficult situations, and many sellers seem impressed by the ease of the process.I Buy IL is a BBB-accredited business and holds an A+ rating.
Website: ibuyil.com
Phone number: 312-584-2960
We Buy Ugly Houses – HomeVestors
We Buy Ugly Houses, also known as HomeVestors, is a nationwide house-buying company that’s been around for over 25 years. After filling out their online form, HomeVestors will send a representative to inspect the property before making an offer. Once an offer is in place, closing can happen in as little as three weeks.
Locations: Nationwide, including most zip codes in Illinois
Closing costs: HomeVestors covers all closing costs.
HomeVestors holds an A+ BBB rating, but each branch has a different accreditation record. In general, Google reviews speak highly of the Illinois franchises, with customers saying that they were pleasantly surprised by the offers they received.
Website: webuyuglyhouses.com
Phone: 877-959-9478
Why sell your Belleville house for cash?
There are plenty of valid reasons a Belleville home seller may choose to work with a Cash-For-Homes company. The most notable benefits are speed, certainty, and convenience.
In Belleville, it typically takes around 69 days to sell a home on the market using an agent. That includes an average of 22 days on the market plus the typical 47 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 Belleville, 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.
Selling your Belleville house for cash can be a practical solution if you’re dealing with a situation where a fast sale is needed. Below are some of the most common scenarios where Belleville homeowners might desire a cash sale:
- Job relocation: You need to move quickly for a new job and don’t have the time to go through the traditional sales process.
- Divorce: Selling the house fast can make the process of dividing assets simpler and help you move forward with your life during a divorce.
- Inherited property: You’ve inherited a home and want to sell it quickly rather than dealing with ongoing maintenance or property management.
- Downsizing: If you’re moving to a smaller home, a fast cash sale can help you avoid the complications of listing and waiting for offers.
- Repairs needed: Your home needs costly repairs, and you’d rather sell it as-is than invest the time or money into fixing it up.
- Avoiding open houses: You don’t want to deal with the stress of prepping your home for open houses and showings.
- Foundation issues: Your home has major structural problems like foundation cracks, which could make it hard to sell on the open market.
- Foreclosure: Selling quickly can help you avoid foreclosure and protect your credit.
- Problem tenants: You’re a landlord looking to unload a property with tenants who are difficult to manage.
- Selling from out of state: Managing a home sale from a distance is complicated, so a cash sale provides a simple, quick solution.
Pros and cons of house-buying companies in Belleville
At this point, you’ve probably noticed that We Buy Houses for Cash companies in Belleville can trigger a mixed bag of thoughts that can be difficult to sort. You may like the idea of speed and convenience, but you might be having trouble balancing these with the premium you might pay for a cash-offer service.
In this next section, we’ll discuss some of the pros and cons of using a We Buy Houses company so you can better weigh your options.
Pros
When selling your Belleville home to a house-buying company, you’ll find several benefits, especially if you’re in a rush or your home needs repairs. However, there are also some drawbacks to consider. Let’s explore both sides to help you make an informed decision.
A major advantage of working with a house-buying company in Belleville is the speed of the sale. They will buy your home as-is without requiring repairs or any preparation, offering a convenient and fast solution. Here’s a look at some key benefits:
- Quick closing: You can often close the sale in as little as a week, getting cash in hand faster than with a traditional sale.
- Buy as-is: House-buying companies purchase homes as-is, so you don’t have to invest time or money in repairs.
- No contingencies: There are typically no contingencies or conditions you need to meet, making the process simpler and more predictable.
- No showings: You can skip the stress and hassle of prepping your home for showings and open houses.
On the downside, one of the most significant cons of working with a house-buying company in Belleville is that you will likely receive an offer that’s below market value compared to what a traditional sale could bring. Let’s review some of the key drawbacks:
- Lower offers: These companies generally offer below market value, so you may leave money on the table compared to selling with a real estate agent.
- Potential scams: There’s always a risk of running into scams, so you need to vet the company you work with carefully.
- No room for negotiation: Offers from house-buying companies are usually take-it-or-leave-it, with little or no room to negotiate a better price.
- Missed equity: If your home appreciates after the sale, you won’t benefit from the increase in value.
Vet cash buyers and know your home’s worth
- Vet the company: The integrity and service of We Buy Houses for Cash companies can vary. Check reviews, read testimonials, and research the company’s reputation before committing to any offer.
- Check market presence: Look into the company’s history and performance in the market. Are they established in the area, or are they relatively unknown? Make sure their track record is solid.
- Read the agreement carefully: Before signing, go through the buying agreement with a fine-tooth comb. Ensure you fully understand the terms and conditions of the sale.
- Know your home’s worth: HomeLight suggests you consult with a top local agent to compare your cash offer with market value. You can also use HomeLight’s Home Value Estimator to get a ballpark estimate in less than two minutes.
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 Belleville home quickly
iBuyers
iBuyers
iBuyers use automated valuation models to provide near-instant cash offers for homes in good condition. Their process is quick, typically closing within days to two weeks. However, companies like Opendoor and Offerpad often charge service fees of 5%-6%. Learn more about the iBuyer process.
Listing with an agent
Although listing with an agent may take longer, in a strong seller’s market, a top agent can help you sell fast and potentially for more. An agent can also provide a comparative market analysis to set the right price. CMAs are often free, and agents might connect you with cash buyers closer to market value. If you want to explore this option, HomeLight can connect you with a top-performing agent in your area.
FAQs on Belleville house-buying companies
By and large, most We Buy Houses for Cash companies in Belleville 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 Belleville 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 Belleville Bungalow could sell for $300,000 after repairs, but it will need $30,000 of work to get there.
($300,000 x .70) – $30,000 = $180,000
In this example, a Belleville We Buy Houses company might offer you around $180,000 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 Belleville 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 Belleville 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 Belleville vs. top Belleville 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 Belleville | Sell with a top Realtor in Belleville |
Selling timeline | 7 to 30 days | 69 days average; 22 to attract an offer, 47 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 | 3%-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 Belleville is worth about $300,000 and needs about $25,000 in repairs. Once the repairs are completed, the home might be worth around $325,000.
Sell to a We Buy Houses for Cash company in Belleville | Sell with a top Realtor in Belleville | |
Estimated sale price | ($325,000 x .70) – $25,000 = $202,500 | $300,000 |
Market preparations | 0 | $3,000 (1% of sale price) |
Agent commissions | 0 | $9,000 (3% of sale price) |
Closing costs | 0 | $4,500 (1.5%) |
Estimated take-home for seller | $202,500 | $283,500 |
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
- Fast sale: House-buying companies in Belleville offer a quick solution, often closing in days to a week.
- No repairs needed: These companies buy homes as-is, saving you time and money on repairs or updates.
- No showings: You can avoid the hassle of open houses, staging, or multiple buyer walkthroughs.
- Lower offer: Expect to receive an offer below market value, which is the trade-off for speed and convenience.
- 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 guide you through 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 Belleville agent.
Header Image Source: (ManuelHurtado / Depositphotos)