Over 30% of all homes were bought with cash in Q2 2025. Chicago topped this list with 24.6%. This shows that cash is still king in the Prairie State.
Cash buyers offer a fast, as-is sale, often closing within 7 days. But which cash buyers will get you 100% of your home’s Fair Market Value? See our rankings below to find out and keep thousands in your pocket!
Reviews: 7 Top Cash Home Buyers in Illinois
1. Houzeo.com: Illinois’s #1 Cash Home Buyer Marketplace
Houzeo is the best option if you’re looking for multiple cash offers. Your MLS listing will be exposed to local and national cash buyers, increasing the number of offers you receive.
- Fee: Houzeo does not charge any undisclosed closing fee.
- $399 + $350 at Close: 6-month MLS listing, 24 photos
- $399+0.5% at Close: Maximum photos, premium yard sign
- $429+0.5% at Close: Pricing assistance, contract review, seller disclosures, licensed broker assistance
- $449+1% at Close: Virtual full-service with licensed broker, offer negotiations
- Typical Offer: Up to 100% of your property’s Fair Market Value.
- Eligible Properties: On Houzeo Marketplace, you can sell your house as is.
- Closing Offer Terms: You can specify your preferred closing date and the closing offer terms.
👉 Our Take: For sellers looking to maximize their cash offers, we recommend Houzeo’s Gold plan. You can access Houzeo’s advanced features to negotiate the best terms for your cash offer.
» Houzeo Reviews: Find out why Houzeo is one of America’s best cash buyer marketplaces.
Houzeo is America’s #1 cash buyer marketplace because of 5 reasons:
- Max Exposure: Houzeo’s packages give you access to the MLS and 100s of websites like Zillow, Realtor.com, Redfin, etc.
- 5-Star Customer Service: Houzeo’s customer service desk is available 6 days a week. Chats and emails are open 7 days a week.
- 100% Online: Houzeo is high-tech. For you, this means easy listing, fast changes, online showings, and online offers.
- No Listing Commission: You’ll pay just a small flat fee to list on MLS. You get to bypass the 3% listing agent commission! All fees are disclosed upfront, so there are no Houzeo hidden fees.
- Home Value Estimator: Houzeo’s home value estimator can get you a quick and free estimate of your property’s market value in 30 seconds.
There are no dealbreakers with Houzeo.
» Houzeo Pros and Cons: Read the advantages and disadvantages of choosing Houzeo to sell your home for cash.
Houzeo is rated 4.9 out of 5 stars by thousands of home sellers on Google & Trustpilot.
With Houzeo, you can connect with Illinois’s top cash home-buying companies and individual investors. You can also get multiple competitive offers for your home. This increased exposure helps you get maximum profit.
2. Offerpad
Offerpad is an iBuyer that makes cash offers on homes that meet their eligibility criteria. This cash offer is based on their patented evaluation tool’s calculations.
- Typical Offer: It is 70% to 80% of the market value of your property.
- Service Fee: 5% of the home sale price and 1% as closing costs.
- Eligibility: Offerpad offers cash for houses built after 1960, with a maximum lot size of 1 acre, and a max valuation of up to 1M. Homes with foundational issues are not eligible.
- Closing Offer Terms: They make an initial offer within 24 hours of submitting your details. However, the final offer may change after they conduct a home inspection.
👉 Our Take: When you sell to Offerpad, you can close in as early as 2 weeks. So, if you want to sell fast and are open to leaving cash on the table Offerpad is a good option.
- Lightning Fast Closing: With Offerpad’s cash-for-house offer, you can close your property in a fortnight.
- Save on Minor Repair Costs: When you sell your house for cash, you don’t incur upfront costs to fix, prepare or stage your house.
- Extended Checkout: You can extend your stay in your home even after the closing date.
- Broad Coverage: Offerpad buys houses for cash in 27 markets across the country.
- Lowball Cash Offer: Offerpad extends two offers- an initial one and a final one. The difference between the two can be quite high. One home seller was offered $189,000 initially but received a lowball offer of $149,000 post Offerpad’s home inspection.
- High Service Fees: Offerpad charges a steep 5% service fee for their cash offer. This fee covers title insurance, escrow fees, HOA transfer fees, taxes, etc.
- Offerpad Cancelation Fee – 1%: If you’re 4 days from closing and decline Offerpad’s cash offer, they’ll charge 1% of the home sale price as a cancelation fee.
Offerpad has a 2.7 out of 5-star rating on TrustPilot.
» Offerpad Reviews: See what customers have to say about Offerpad.
Offerpad extends cash offers that are up to 80% of your home’s fair market value within 24 to 48 hours. They use advanced algorithms that compare local property prices to calculate offers.
The biggest downside to selling to Offerpad is their strict eligibility criteria. They can withdraw from the sale if your home doesn’t meet their requirements at any point during the transaction.
3. Heartland Buys Houses
Heartland Buys Houses is a company specializing in quick, cash home purchases of houses. They follow a simplified process, all you need to do is fill out their online form, or you can connect with them via phone.
- Service Fee: None
- Typical Offer: 50% to 70% of market value of the property
- Eligible Properties: Distressed properties with structural damage, inherited properties, tenant problems, code violations, etc.
- Closing Offer Terms: Heartland Buys Houses has a 7 to 30-day closing for its cash offer.
👉 Our Take: Heartland Buys Houses claims to extend fair offers, making it a good option if you need cash quickly. However, there are little to no reviews about them across the internet.
- Fast Cash Offers: Heartland Buys Houses will get you an offer in approximately 24 hours.
- Flexible Closing Time: You can close in as little as three weeks or on a date of your choice.
- Sell As-Is: You can sell your house as is. You don’t need to prep the home for a company visit or make any repairs before the sale.
- No Additional Costs: You are not required to pay any extra costs, even your closing costs are covered.
- Not 100% Online: They have a limited tech stack. This means a lot of processes, like requesting a counteroffer or managing inspections, will be offline and manual. Furthermore, they don’t even have a mobile app.
- Lack of Reviews: Heartland Buys Houses does not have enough reviews to give them a positive feedback.
- Limited Coverage: Heartland Buys Houses cover only selected areas of Illinois and Indiana.
Heartland Buys Houses has a rating of 1 out of 5 stars on Better Business Review.
» Heartland Buys Houses Reviews: Read this comprehensive review to learn more about the company.
Heartland Buys Houses is a popular cash company that extends cash offers up to 70% of the market value of the property. They prioritize transparency and customer satisfaction, making the selling process simple. You can get in touch with them via phone or they can even visit your home and give you the offer in person. However, they don’t have any credible reviews, so you’ll need to do your research before going ahead with them.
4. Opendoor
Opendoor is the country’s biggest iBuyer. They offer cash for your home within 24 to 48 hours of submitting your details on their website. Opendoor is also flexible with closing timelines and move-out dates.
- Service Fee: 5% of the home sale price.
- Typical Offer: 70% to 80% of your property’s fair market value.
- Eligible Properties: Opendoor will make cash offers only on owner-occupied properties built post-1930 with a maximum lot size of 1.5 to 2 acres. Prefabricated homes, inherited properties, or homes with tenants do not qualify for Opendoor’s cash offer.
- Closing Offer Terms: Opendoor lets you close at your pace, up to 45 days after their offer. The final offer may change after the home inspection.
👉 Our Take: Opendoor will likely make a cash offer on your home quickly. But you will end up leaving almost 20% to 30% of your home equity on the table.
- Broad Coverage: Opendoor makes cash offers for houses in 51 markets across the country.
- Flexible Closing Dates: Opendoor allows you to close at your convenience – up to 45 days after their offer.
- Late Checkout up to 14 Days: Opendoor lets you temporarily stay in your home for up to 2 weeks after closing.
- No Cancelation Fees: You can cancel the contract without any cancelation fee.
- Lowball Cash Offer: Opendoor’s final cash offer may be below the property’s fair market value, around 70%. They also deduct repair and closing costs.
- Hefty Service Fees: Opendoor charges a steep 5% service fee for their services.
- Opendoor May Back Out of the Deal: Some homeowners have had a bad experience with Opendoor. Opendoor backed out of the cash deal at the last minute, leaving the homeowner stranded.
- Undisclosed Repair Cost Breakdown: The difference between Opendoor’s preliminary offer vs. final offer can be humongous. In many cases, sellers were forced to pay for unnecessary “repairs”.
- Strict Eligibility Criteria: Opendoor doesn’t pay cash for inherited properties, homes with tenants, pre-fabricated or mobile homes, and properties located in a flood zone.
Opendoor has a rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars on Reviews.io.
» Opendoor Reviews: Read customer reviews and our breakdown of Opendoor’s cash offer to make an informed decision.
Opendoor is a good option if your home needs minimal repairs. You can get a maximum of ~80% of your property’s fair market value. However, this means leaving thousands of dollars on the table. Their service fee is also a steep 5% of your home’s sale price.
5. We Buy Houses
We Buy Houses is a network of pre-vetted real estate investors. Each investor is thoroughly screened before being authorized to operate independently.
- Service Fee: None
- Typical Offer: 50% to 70% of the property’s fair market value.
- Eligible Properties: Distressed properties with structural issues, homeowners facing relocation, flawed mortgage financing, inherited homes, or homes in high-crime neighborhoods.
- Closing Offer Terms: We Buy Houses provides a flexible closing date, typically 7 to 14 days. The offer terms are not flexible.
👉 Our Take: We Buy Houses is an ideal option to sell your home quickly without the hassle of repairs. However, be prepared to settle for a lowball offer.
- Fast Cash Offers: You will typically receive the initial cash offer within 2 days.
- Zero Service Fees: We Buy Houses doesn’t charge any service fee in exchange for the convenience of selling your home for cash.
- Fast Closing: We Buy Houses can complete the entire home sale process in just 7 days after you accept their offer.
- Zero Repair Costs: When selling to We Buy Houses, you don’t need to prep the house or worry about repairs.
- Service Quality Varies: We Buy Houses operates on a franchise model. It means service quality can vary depending on the location.
- Limited Scope for Negotiation: We Buy Houses extends “take-it-or-leave-it” offers. You can try to negotiate, but usually, they won’t budge.
- Unsolicited Calls: Some reviews mention receiving unsolicited calls and texts from the company.
» We Buy Houses vs. Houzeo: Learn why Houzeo is better than “We Buy Houses”.
We Buy Houses has 1 star out of 5 on Better Business Bureau from only 4 customer reviews.
» We Buy Houses Reviews: Read this comprehensive review to learn more about the company.
We Buy Houses is a real estate investment company specializing in buying distressed properties at a discount across the country. You can sell your home without spending a dollar on repairs. However, you will be forced to settle for an offer that’s 50% to 70% of your home’s value.
This cash buyer operates on a franchise model. So, the quality of service you receive may differ based on your location.
6. We Buy Ugly Houses
We Buy Ugly Houses is a well-known cash home-buying company that helps homeowners sell their houses fast. It offers a fast, hassle-free sale without the need for repairs or renovations.
- Sell at $0 Commission: You can sell your home with a few photos and a basic property description without paying any agent commission.
- No Closing Costs: You don’t have to pay any closing costs as the company pays them.
- Typical Offer: 50% to 70% of your property’s fair market value.
👉 Our Take: We recommend We Buy Ugly Houses for a quick and hassle-free sale. You can negotiate the price for your home and close the deal without closing fees.
- Sell Your Home As Is: You can save thousands in repair costs by selling your distressed home as is.
- Cash Offer in Any Condition: You can get a cash offer, no matter what shape your home is in.
- Quick Closing Timeline: Once you accept the offer, you can sell your house within 2 weeks.
- Low Ball Offers: Cash offers are typically 50% to 70% of your home’s fair market value, depending on the condition and location of the house.
- Limited Negotiation: You might have less room to negotiate the final offer.
- Not Ideal for High-Value Homes: This option may not be best for homes in high-demand areas where you could get more by listing on the MLS.
We Buy Ugly Houses is rated 2.6 out of 5 stars on Yelp
» We Buy Ugly Houses Reviews: Read this in-depth review to learn more about them.
We Buy Ugly Houses operates as a franchise under its parent company, HomeVestors. Each franchise is independently owned and operated. This leads to variations in service quality and customer experience across different locations nationwide.
Further, if your home requires extensive repairs, you may just 30% to 50% of your home’s fair market value.
7. Highest Cash Offer
Highest Cash Offer is a real estate solutions company that buys houses for cash. They are an ideal option for those looking to sell their properties quickly. The company will inspect your house and give a cash offer based on the condition of your home.
- Service Fee: None
- Typical Offer: 50% to 70% of Fair Market Value (FMV)
- Eligible Properties: Distressed properties with structural damage, inherited properties, tenant problems, code violations, etc.
- Closing Offer Terms: Highest Cash Offer provides a 7 to 30-day closing for its cash offer.
👉 Our Take: Highest Cash Offer is a good option if you want to sell your home as-is. However, you cannot negotiate the price of your home and be ready to accept low-ball offers.
- Sell As-Is: Highest Cash Offer buy homes as-is, so you don’t have to incur any expenses or worry about repairs. However, if the heavily damaged they may not consider purchasing it.
- Flexible Closing: You can close in as little as three weeks or at any time of your choice.
- No Additional Costs: There are no hidden fees or extra costs. You need not pay closing costs as well.
- Personalized Services: Highest Cash Offer has a dedicated team that helps you till the end of the sale.
- Nationwide Coverage: Their services are available throughout the US.
- Non-Negotiable Offer: Highest Cash Offer will not offer more than 70% of your property’s fair market value. After a thorough home inspection, they may quote an offer based on the after-repair value.
- Not 100% Online: Highest Cash Offer has a limited tech stack. This means a lot of processes, like requesting a counteroffer or managing inspections, will be offline and manual. They don’t even have a mobile app.
- Eligibility Restrictions: Not all properties may qualify for their services, particularly those in very poor condition or in specific locations.
Highest Cash Offer has 4.9 out of 5 stars with 36+ reviews from Reviews.io.
» Highest Cash Offer Reviews: Read our in-depth reviews on Highest Cash Offer and choose accordingly.
Highest Cash Offer is a real estate solutions company that offers homeowners quick and fair cash offers for their properties. They are ideal for those facing personal challenges or looking to sell swiftly. Furthermore, they don’t have any hidden fees or commissions, ensuring a smooth workflow.
Are Companies That Buy Houses for Cash in Illinois Legit?
Yes, companies that buy houses for cash are legitimate and operate legally nationwide. The best home buying companies purchase distressed properties at a discount, renovate them, and then sell them for profit.
3 Types of Companies That Buy Homes in Illinois
- We Buy Houses for Cash Companies: Cash buyers like HomeVestors and Heartland Buys Houses purchase distressed homes, typically paying 30% to 70% of their FMV.
- iBuyers: iBuyers, such as Opendoor and Offerpad, provide instant cash offers between 70% and 80% of the FMV. They have strict eligibility requirements, limiting the types of homes they purchase.
- Home Trade-in Services: Companies like Knock or Orchard offer cash for your home before you move out. This helps you buy your new housee without any delay.
4 Steps to Sell Your Home for Cash in Illinois
Not sure how to sell your home for cash in Illinois? Just follow these 4 steps:
- Find a Cash Home Buyer: Research all local companies buying houses for cash and opt for one with great client testimonials.
- Request an Offer: Once you’ve selected a cash buyer, request an offer on their website. You’ll have to provide information like the property type, number of rooms, asking price, etc.
- Schedule a Home Visit: A company representative will then inspect your house. The final cash offer will be based on the outcome of this inspection.
- Close the Deal: If you’re happy with the offer, finalize the deal. Remember to get all the paperwork for selling a house without a Realtor verified by a real estate attorney.
How Much Do Cash Buyers in Illinois Pay?
Illinois cash house buyers usually offer between 30% to 70% of a home’s After-Repair Value. However, it depends on factors like the company you’re selling to, their service fees, etc. Here’s how the After-Repair Value is calculated:
After-Repair Value (ARV) = Property Purchase Price (PPP) + Cost of Repairs (COR)
Imagine if you were selling your $282,500 home in Illinois. With a traditional cash home buyer, you could get just $197,750. But on a cash buyer marketplace like Houzeo, you could get multiple offers, potentially driving your sale price to 100% of its FMV.
Service Provider | Service Fee | ARV Estimate | Actual Offer |
Cash Buyer | None | 70% | $197,750 |
iBuyer | 5% | 80% | $226,000 |
Houzeo | $749* | Up to 100% | $281,751 |
» Houzeo Reviews: Find out why Houzeo is Illinois’s best cash buyer marketplace.
Pros and Cons of Cash Home Buyers in Illinois
Given that more sellers are opting for cash buyers in Illinois, here are some pros and cons you must consider before you sell with them:
✅ Pros
- Fast Cash Offers: “We Buy Houses for Cash” companies extend offers within 24-48 hours.
- Flexible Closing: Cash buyers in Illinois close quickly and on your timeline. So you can sell your home anywhere between 7 days to 30 days.
- No Repair Costs: Most cash buyers purchase properties as-is. This eliminates the need for repairs, saving thousands of dollars.
❌ Cons
- Lowball Cash Offers: Illinois cash house buyers typically pay only 30% to 70% of a home’s FMV. So you leave a significant amount of your home’s equity on the table.
- Non-Negotiable Deals: Such cash offers are usually take-it-or-leave-it. There’s little to no room for negotiation, which limits your ability to secure a better offer.
- Possible Closing Costs: Some cash buyers might force you to pay seller closing costs in Illinois. Always check the terms, or you could be out 6.25% to 9%!
Alternatives to Companies That Buy Houses for Cash in Illinois
- Flat Fee MLS Services: You can get up to 100% of your home’s FMV with a Illinois Flat Fee MLS listing service. Your home is visible to multiple cash buyers, increasing your offers.
- For Sale By Owner: In a FSBO sale, you’ll have to opt for “DIY” marketing strategies like using yard signs, word of mouth, open houses, etc. Illinois FSBO websites also limit your home’s exposure, which lowers your home sale price.
- Full-Service Realtors: They provide various services from listing to closing, but charge a hefty 5% to 6% commission.
- Discount Real Estate Brokers: They offer services like contract review and negotiation for a lower fee than traditional agents. Discount brokers in Illinois charge between 0.5% to 2.5% as commission.
Should You Sell to Cash Home Buyers in Illinois?
Yes, you can sell to cash buyers. But say goodbye to 30% to 70% of your home’s equity. That’s the price you pay for a quick sale. On the other hand, on a cash buyer marketplace, you can get multiple offers, sell fast, and potentially keep more money.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best company that buys houses for cash in Illinois?
Houzeo is the best cash buyer marketplace in Illinois. Companies like Opendoor and We Buy Houses are other great options for selling homes for cash.
How can you sell to companies that buy houses for cash in Illinois?
To sell to companies that buy houses for cash, first research local cash buyers in Illinois or use a cash buyer marketplace. Then, submit your home’s information and get an offer within 24-48 hours. You can complete the sale in as little as a week once you finalize the agreement.
How fast can I sell my Illinois house?
You can sell your house fast for cash in Illinois within 7 to 30 days with a cash home buying company. However, you get only 30% to 70% of your property's Fair Market Value. To get a higher price, sell to a cash buyer marketplace like Houzeo and attract multiple cash offers.
What to look for when choosing cash home buyers?
Look for legitimate cash home buyers that have a great reputation in the industry. They should have positive customer reviews on platforms like Google and Trustpilot that highlight their transparent processes and fair offers.