Over 30% of all homes were bought with cash in Q2 2024. Nashville topped this list with 31% of cash sales. This shows that cash is still king in the Volunteer 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 Knoxville
1. Houzeo: Knoxville’s #1 Cash Home Buyer Marketplace
Max Exposure to Cash Buyers
HouzeoHouzeo 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 Florida’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, your home gets maximum exposure to Knoxville’s best cash home-buying companies and individual investors. You could get multiple competitive offers for your home, driving up its final sale price.
2. Offerpad
QUICK CLOSING
OfferpadOfferpad 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’s closing process is faster than other “cash for houses” companies. In certain states, they can close in just 15 days.
During the home sale, Offerpad quotes two prices: one before the inspection and one after. The difference between these offers is quite high. As per a customer review, the home seller was offered $189,000 but later received a lowball offer of just $149,000.
3. New Horizon Home Buyers
POPULAR CASH HOME BUYER
New Horizon Home BuyersNew Horizon Home Buyers is a reliable cash buyer that specializes in providing fair offers and support for selling your house as-is.
- Service Fee: None
- Typical Offer: 50% to 70% of Fair Market Value (FMV)
- Eligible Properties: Distressed properties facing structural issues, inherited properties, tenant problems and code violations, etc.
- Closing Offer Terms: New Horizon Home Buyers give a 7 to 30-day closing timeline.
👉 Our Take: New Horizon Home Buyers is a good option for home sellers looking for a trusted cash buyer. However, they have a very limited coverage.
- Fast Cash Offer: Get an offer in approximately 24 to 48 hours.
- No Additional Charges: You won’t even need to pay any extra fees, as they even cover your closing costs.
- No Renovation or Repair Costs: New Horizon Home Buyers purchase houses as-is. You do not need make any repairs to your house before the sale.
- Non-negotiable Offer: New Horizon Home Buyers will not offer more than 70% of your property’s fair market value. After a thorough home inspection, they quote an offer based on the after-repair value.
- Limited Coverage: They provide services only in selected states such as Georgia, Tennessee, Arkansas, Alabama, Louisiana, South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida and Texas.
New Horizon Home Buyers has 4.9 out of 5 stars with 35+ reviews on Google.
» New Horizon Home Buyers Reviews: Know why it is not the best way to sell with New Horizon Home Buyers in 2024.
New Horizon Home Buyers is based in Chattanooga, TN. They buy distressed properties after evaluating the property. They update the house and then sell it for a profit. You will only be offered up to 70% of the home’s fair market value.
4. Opendoor
BIGGEST IBUYER
OpendoorOpendoor 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 provides a straightforward and convenient solution for obtaining cash for your home. You can sell your home as is and close on the sale in just 2 weeks. You can expect to get around ~80% of your property’s fair market value.
However, their offer now could be much lower than your property’s FMV. Their service fee is also a steep 5% of your home’s sale price. The repair cost breakdown is not disclosed in the closing statement.
» Offerpad vs. Opendoor: Compare the two iBuyers before requesting a cash offer on your house.
5. Express Homebuyers
As-Is Cash Home Buyer Network
Express HomebuyersExpress Homebuyers specializes in making all-cash offers on houses. It deals with a home seller who wants to sell their house fast without making any repairs.
- Service Fee: Express Homebuyers do not charge any upfront fees.
- Typical Offer: They make a cash offer for your home that ranges from 50% to 70% of its fair market value (FMV).
- Eligible Properties: Express Homebuyers deal in inherited houses, home sales after divorce, foreclosure properties, selling rental properties, foreclosure, etc.
- Closing Offer Terms: They can help you sell your home sale within a few days.
👉 Our Take: Express Homebuyers can be a great option to sell an extremely distressed property. However, if your house needs minimal repairs or no repairs, then you should consider listing on the MLS.
- No Obligations Offers: You will receive a free estimate for your property, no matter how many major fixes it needs.
- Near Nationwide Coverage: Express Homebuyers offers cash for houses in 20 states including major states like Florida, California, Texas, Washington, etc.
- Flexible Closing Date: Closing dates can be finalized as per the home seller’s terms.
- No Charges or Fees: Express Homebuyers do not charge you any fees. You will receive the full selling price based on the market research and house conditions.
- Sell As-Is: You save on repair costs, and sell your house as-is.
» What is Express Homebuyers? Read our in-depth analysis of Express Homebuyers.
- Poor Customer Support: Previous clients have complained about their lack of communication and half-hearted responses.
- Non-Negotiable Offer: Your house will receive a cash offer of not more than 70% of the property’s fair market value.
Express Homebuyers has a rating of 4.4 out of 5-star with 135+ reviews on Google Reviews.
» Express Homebuyers Reviews: Is there really no service fee?
Jud Allen and Brad Chandler founded Express Homebuyers in 2003. They are based in Springfield, Virginia, but they buy homes across the nation.
They will extend a cash offer of up to 30%- 70% of your home’s fair market value. However, their poor customer support can delay your sale.
6. We Buy Houses
QUICK AND EASY SALES
We Buy HousesWe 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.
WeBuyHouses.com is a group of real estate investors who buy properties as-is for a lucrative flip. They are a good option if you want to sell your home fast for cash and your property only needs some cosmetic repairs.
7. ASAP Cash Home Buyers
NATIONWIDE COVERAGE
ASAP Cash Home BuyersASAP Cash Home Buyers, founded in 2013, offers quick and hassle-free home sales. It specializes in assisting homeowners who need to sell their property fast for cash.
- Service Fee: None
- Typical Offer: 50% to 70% of the Fair Market Value (FMV)
- Eligible Properties: The company buys properties that have structural issues, have bad mortgage financing, and are located in high-crime areas. They also offer cash for inherited houses and empty lots.
- Closing Offer Terms: You close the deal in 3 weeks after accepting the offer. You also have the option to choose a closing date that suits your needs.
👉 Our Take: ASAP Cash Home Buyers’ is a good choice if you want to save on repair costs. However, you have to settle for a price that’s almost half of the home’s fair market value.
» Pros and Cons of Asap Cash Home Buyers: Must read before you make a decision.
- Nationwide Coverage: The cash home buyer offers its services in all the 50 states of the U.S.
- Flexible Closing Date: You can choose a closing date that works best for you.
- No Hidden Costs: ASAP Cash Home Buyers clearly outline all their fees upfront.
- Purchase of Distressed Home: You can sell your home as-is to the cash buyer. This would save you time and help close the deal faster.
- Varying Level of Service: ASAP Cash Home Buyers partners with independent investors nationwide. Therefore, there’s no guarantee that you will work with knowledgeable and responsive agents.
- Only Purchase Homes: ASAP Cash Home Buyers does not buy property interests like timeshares, hotels, or rental communities. Thus, if you want to sell other properties you need to consider other options.
- Limited Negotiation: Since they have a streamlined process, it can result in fixed terms and conditions. This means you have less opportunity to negotiate on the offered price.
ASAP Cash Home Buyers have a rating of 4.8 out of 5-stars with 40+ reviews on Google.
» ASAP Cash Home Buyer Review: Read our in-depth analysis.
ASAP Cash Home Buyers was founded in Fort Lauderdale, FL. They are a group of real estate professionals with over a decade of experience. They don’t charge a closing fee and can buy your Knoxville house in 7-28 days.
Are Companies That Buy Houses for Cash in Knoxville Legit?
Yes, companies that buy houses for cash are legitimate and operate legally nationwide. They purchase distressed properties at a discount, renovate them, and then sell them for profit.
3 Types of Companies That Buy Homes in Knoxville
- We Buy Houses for Cash Companies: They typically extend offers for distressed homes and pay 30% to 70% of the properties’ FMV. These companies include popular names like HomeVestors and House Heroes.
- iBuyers: They offer instant cash offers that are 70% to 80% of the FMV. Additionally, Opendoor and Offerpad have strict eligibility requirements, limiting the types of homes they purchase.
- Home Trade-In Services: These cash home buyers give you an advance on your cash offer before you move out, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free transition. Companies like Knock or Orchard provide this service.
4 Steps to Sell Your Home for Cash in Knoxville
If you’re wondering how to sell your home for cash in Knoxville, here’s what you need to do:
- Find a Cash Home Buyer: Research all companies buying houses for cash in your area. Choose one based on client testimonies and positive online reviews.
- Request an Offer: Once you’ve selected a cash buyer, request an offer on their website. You must provide information such as property type, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, asking price, etc. You will also have to give the reason for the home sale.
- Schedule a Home Visit: A representative from the company will come to inspect your house. They will then give you their final cash offer.
- 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 “We Buy Houses for Cash in Knoxville” Companies Pay?
Cash buyers in Knoxville usually offer between 30% to 70% of a home’s After-Repair Value. The offer also depends on factors like the company you’re selling to, their service fees, etc. The After-Repair Value is calculated as follows:
After-Repair Value (ARV) = Property Purchase Price (PPP) + Cost of Repairs (COR)
Imagine if you’re selling your $320,500 home in Knoxville. With a traditional cash home buyer, you could get just $224,350. But, with a cash buyer marketplace like Houzeo, you only pay $749 and get up to $319,751!
Service Provider | Service Fee | Potential Offer (of the ARV) | Actual Offer Amount |
Cash Buyer | None | 70% | $224,350 |
iBuyer | 5% | 80% | $256,400 |
Houzeo | $749* | Up to 100% | $319,751 |
📢 NAR Settlement Saves Sellers Thousands in Commission
The NAR Settlement went into effect on August 17, 2024. Buyer agent commissions can no longer be offered on the MLS. This means sellers will save thousands! But it also means there’s a lot more compliance and litigation risks.
Here’s what this means for you:
- Sellers Can Save Thousands in Commissions: You will likely pay much less than the traditional 3% buyer agent commission. That’s because buyer agent commissions will be negotiated twice: Once when buyers engage buyer agents, and again when sellers review offer contracts.
- Seller Priority #1 Will Be Paperwork (to Mitigate Compliance & Litigation Risks): Buyer agents mitigate all types of risks. From seller disclosures, offer contracts, contingencies, inspections, repair requests, appraisal, and closing – Buyer agents keep the paperwork tight. Their state licensing authorities, Realtor associations, and MLS’ audit paperwork compliance. Without buyer agents, sellers will have to learn and adapt. Or risk expensive litigation.
- Negotiations Can Now Feel Like Haggling: Buyer agent commissions will now be part of offer contracts and buyer agency agreements. Buyers may ask sellers to include commissions in the form of seller concessions. That means home buyers and sellers alike will be negotiating commissions. Sellers will need expert licensed brokers to help them with these negotiations.
- Buyer Agent Commissions Can Be Offered Offline: Buyer agent fees can still be offered outside of the MLS. They just cannot be advertised on the MLS.
Pros and Cons of Companies That Buy Houses for Cash in Knoxville
✅ Pros
- Fast Cash Sale: Typically, sellers must list on MLS in Tennessee and wait for potential buyers. “We Buy Houses for Cash” companies offer a cash deal within 24-48 hours.
- Flexible Closing: Cash buyers in Knoxville close quickly and on your timeline. So you can sell your home anywhere between 7 days to 30 days as per your convenience.
- Zero Service Fees: Knoxville’s cash house buyers don’t charge any service fee. Their net profit is enough to sustain their fix-and-flip model.
❌ Cons
- Lowball Cash Offers: Cash companies that buy homes in Knoxville typically pay 30% to 70% of market value, deducting repair and resale costs.
- Non-Negotiable Deals: When dealing with cash home buyers, the offer is usually take-it-or-leave-it.
- Possible Closing Costs: Some buyers may require you to pay seller closing costs, so always review terms carefully.
Alternatives to Companies That Buy Houses for Cash in Knoxville
- List Your Home With a Flat Fee MLS Service: You can get up to 100% of your home’s market value with a Tennessee Flat Fee MLS listing. Your home is visible to multiple cash buyers and investors, increasing your offers.
- Hire a Traditional Full-Service Realtor: When you opt for a full-service Knoxville Realtor, you will have to shell out a 5% to 6% commission. That’s $19,230 on a $320,500 home gone!
- List With a Discount Real Estate Broker: They are real estate professionals who offer the same services as traditional agents but for a lower fee. Discount real estate brokers in Tennessee charge between 0.5% to 2% as fees.
- Sell “For Sale By Owner”: In a FSBO sale, you’ll have to opt for “DIY” marketing strategies like using FSBO signs and word of mouth. But your listing won’t be on Zillow, Trulia, and Realtor.com. Meanwhile, paid For Sale By Owner sites in Tennessee will help you list on the MLS and increase exposure.
Should You Sell to Companies Buying Houses in Knoxville?
Yes, but only if you want to sacrifice thousands of dollars. By accepting an offer from a single cash buyer, you may receive only 30% to 70% of your home’s value, sacrificing equity for a quick sale.
If you want the best of both worlds, a cash buyer marketplace is your best bet. Within 24 hours, your home will be visible to multiple local and national cash buyers, boosting your chances of competitive offers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best company that buys houses for cash?
Houzeo is the best cash marketplace for selling homes for cash in Knoxville. Companies like Opendoor and Offerpad have extended offers on homes listed on Houzeo.
How can you sell to companies that buy houses for cash?
To sell to companies that buy houses for cash, research local cash buyers in Knoxville or use a cash buyer marketplace. Submit your home’s details, get an offer within 24-48 hours, and if you accept, close the deal in as little as a week.
How fast can I sell my Knoxville house?
You can sell your house in 7 to 30 days when selling to cash buyers in Knoxville.
» How to Sell a House Fast in Knoxville: Learn how you can get your home sold in no time in the Volunteer State.
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 that highlight their transparent processes and fair offers.