Laurel Buys Houses Reviews: Pros, Cons, and Alternatives

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Laurel Buys Houses is a cash buyer. They help you close on properties as soon as possible. Furthermore, they buy homes as-is. They specialize in purchasing distressed homes.

Pros

  • You get a quick cash offer
  • You don't have to pay 6% realtor commission
  • You incur no repair and closing costs

Cons

  • You will likely get 50% - 70% of your home's FMV
  • You can sell only in one area

Laurel Buys Houses is a Sacramento-based cash buyer. They purchase all types of homes in as-is condition. So, when you move out, you don’t need to worry about any repairs or leftovers.

Furthermore, they provide a quick cash offer and a fast closing time frame. An economic report on selling on the MLS makes it clear that you sell 5 – 6 times faster with a cash buyer like Laurel Buys Houses.

However, you could only get 50% to 70% of your home’s FMV with this cash buyer. While not explicitly mentioned on their website, this price range aligns with industry norms.

We feel that there are better ways to sell your home. A cash buyer marketplace, for example, provides you with multiple cash offers. As a result, you are more likely to secure a top-dollar deal for your home even if it’s distressed.

    ✍️ Editor’s Take: We recommend you opt for cash buyer marketplaces. They connect you with nationwide investors and buyers, increasing your chances of getting multiple cash offers. This way, you can choose the best offer and close the deal faster.

Key Takeaways

  • Laurel Buys Houses is a local cash home buyer that purchases properties in their current condition. This can make it a convenient option for homeowners who want to sell distressed properties without making repairs first.
  • Average Rating: Laurel Buys Houses has a 4.8-star Google rating from 140 reviews, a 1-star BBB rating from 1 review, and a 4.1-star Yelp rating from 18 reviews.
  • Pros: Quick cash offers, purchases homes as-is, and charges no commissions or seller fees.
  • Cons: Below-market offers, limited room for negotiation, and service availability in only one state.
  • Coverage: Sacramento, California.
  • Alternatives: Compared to competitors, Laurel Buys Houses has a limited coverage area and may extend lowball offers. In contrast, Houzeo Cash Offers lets you compare cash offers from multiple buyers. We Buy Houses gives you coverage of over 30 states, and Opendoor extends higher cash offers.

Is Laurel Buys Houses Legit?

Yes, Laurel Buys Houses is a legitimate cash buyer. They were founded by a real estate professional Laurel Sagen in 1999. On Google, their address is 3104 O St #305, Sacramento, CA 95816, United States.

Laurel Buys Houses is an A+ accredited company on BBB. They have many positive customer reviews on Google. Moreover, we noticed that the founder, Laurel promptly addresses any negative reviews online. This shows LBH’s dedication to customer satisfaction.

    🌟 Key Highlight: Laurel Buys Houses helps you manage whatever you leave behind after the sales process concludes. They work with various charity organizations that underscore their commitment to social welfare.

What Types of Properties Does Laurel Buys Houses Purchase?

Laurel Buys Houses does not mention what properties they buy. Since they are a cash buyer, they might purchase all kinds of homes like:

Selling With Laurel Buys Houses

Home sellers must follow 4 simple steps to sell to Laurel Buys Houses. These steps are:

  • Get in touch with LBH: You can connect with them by filling out a form on their website form or by phone.
  • Meet Laurel: Schedule a meeting with Laurel for property evaluation. This meeting will usually happen in person. However, you can connect on Google Meet, Facetime, or Zoom if that is not possible.
  • Review the cash offer: After evaluation, Laurel extends a cash offer for you to review.
  • Close at your convenience: If you like the presented cash offer, select your preferred closing date.

Laurel Buys Houses Locations

Laurel Buys Houses is a local cash buyer. They buy houses in Sacramento, CA, and its surrounding neighborhoods. Although their coverage is limited, they have expertise in buying properties in these areas.

How Much Does Laurel Buys Houses Pay?

Like most cash buyers, Laurel Buys Houses pays around 50% to 70% of your home’s FMV. Suppose, the fair market value of your home is $500,000. You can expect to get around $250,000 – $350,000 from Laurel Buys Houses.

You don’t pay any fees to Laurel Buys Houses. They pay everything – closing costs, escrow fees, council transfer fees, etc. on your behalf. In short, there are no deductions and extra costs when you sell to them.

» What’s My Home’s Value: You can know your home’s market value with Houzeo Cash Offers’ free Home Worth Estimator. It helps you estimate the amount you will get upon sale.

Laurel Buys Houses: Reviews

We gathered Laurel Buys Houses ratings and reviews from Google, BBB, and Yelp. They have a 4.8-star rating on Google based on 140 reviews. On BBB as well, the company has a 1-star rating based on just 1 review. Additionally, John Buys Bay Area Houses holds a rating of 4.1 stars based on 18 Yelp reviews.

The positive reviews highlight that clients love LBH’s genuineness and professionalism. In contrast, negative feedback reflects criticism for occasional delays in closing.

WebsiteRatingReview Count
BBB1 star1
Google 4.8 stars140
Yelp4.1 stars18

Praises

✅ Dean Martin loved the presented cash offer. Furthermore, he appreciates the professionalism and kindness followed at Laurel Buys Houses.

Dean MartinUSASubmitted 2023

I had contacted several realtors and investors which made offers that just wasn’t matching what I needed to secure my grandmothers care for the next 3-4 years. Out of the blue I called Laurel Buys Homes just to see what they would offer. Brian came out and looked around for a little bit, then I about fell over when he submitted his offer to us. Not only was it more then I ever expected, but his professionalism and kindness was just an added bonus.

Source: Google

✅ Lindsey P feels that the company is top-notch for home sellers. She likes the thoughtfulness and genuineness followed at Laurel Buys Houses.

Lindsey PUSASubmitted 2023

I recently met Shasta and she is amazingly friendly. The whole company of Laurel Buys Houses is so thoughtful and genuinely want the best for all of it’s clients and customers. The customer service is over the top!!! Literally a one stop shop for all your relocating needs.

Source: BBB

Complaints

❌ John Cameron is agitated with the delay in closing. He could not close at his desired date due to insurance costs behind the property.

John CameronUSASubmitted 2023

The process started off fine, but 4 days before we were supposed to close (after a month of working with them) they suddenly couldn’t locate the funds due the insurance costs behind the property…professionals in this industry would have researched and planned ahead of time for this matter…not tell their clients they can no longer close on the promised date

Source: Google

Laurel Buys Houses: Pros and Cons

Here are the pros and cons of selling with Laurel Buys Houses:

👍Pros

  • Sell to an expert: LBH primarily buys houses in Sacramento and its surrounding areas. So, you sell to an expert house buyer.
  • Close at your convenience: Laurel Buys Houses provides a flexible closing timeline. You can close in just a few days or at your desired closing date.
  • Sell as-is: Laurel buys the home as-is; you don’t have to repair it before selling.
  • Get knowledgeable resources: They provide free e-books to understand the real estate market better.

👎Cons

  • Limited coverage: You might not be able to sell to them since they buy only in Sacramento.
  • Lowball cash offers: You may get a reduced sale price for your home. This can be usually around 50% – 70% of the FMV for your home.

Laurel Buys Homes Competitors

The best Laurel Buys Homes are Houzeo Cash Offers, We Buy Houses, and Opendoor. We compared these cash home-buying options based on sale price, cash offers, and coverage. Here’s how they compare with Laurel Buys Homes.

We conducted a comparative analysis to identify Laurel Buys Homes’ top competitors based on key factors like profit, selling options, and coverage. We aim to provide a fair and data-driven comparison.

  • Market Comparison: We evaluated different types of home-selling solutions, their services, and company policies.
  • Pricing Structure Assessment: We evaluated the true value of each platform by breaking down upfront flat fees, potential hidden costs, and percentage-based commission structures.
  • Consumer Feedback Review: We analyzed seller reviews from Yelp, BBB, Trustpilot, and Google to understand satisfaction levels and common concerns across platforms.
  • Support and Assistance Evaluation: We evaluated the level of transaction support by measuring the availability of dedicated closing coordinators, comparative market analyses, and advanced tools.
  • Selection Criteria: We chose the competitors based on how they differ from Laurel Buys Homes model to ensure a balanced mix of alternatives.

» Jump to: Laurel Buys Houses vs. Houzeo Cash Offers | Laurel Buys Houses vs. We Buy Houses | Laurel Buys Houses vs Opendoor

1. Cash Offers: Laurel Buys Houses vs. Houzeo Cash Offers

Laurel Buys Houses is a cash buyer. They buy properties as-is. So, you don’t have to take care of repairs and maintenance of your property. However, you may have to settle for 50% to 70% of your home’s FMV for selling as-is.
Houzeo Cash Offers takes a different approach by connecting sellers with multiple local and national cash buyers. Sellers can compare competing offers, with some offers reaching up to 100% of their home’s fair market value.

With nationwide coverage and closings in as little as 7 days, Houzeo Cash Offers gives sellers the speed of a cash sale while creating competition among buyers. You can compare multiple offers without being tied to a single cash buyer.

ParametersLaurel Buys HousesHouzeo Cash Offers
Sale Price50% to 70% of FMVUp to 100% of FMV
Customer Rating4.7 stars (159 reviews)4.9 stars (11,300+ reviews)
Closing TimelineAt your convinience7 days
CoverageSacramento, CaliforniaNationwide
Multiple Offers
Scope for Negotiation
Highest and Best Offer

2. Coverage: Laurel Buys Houses vs. We Buy Houses

Laurel Buys Houses serves Sacramento and nearby areas, so its services may not cover homeowners outside this market. This makes it a local option for Sacramento-area sellers.

We Buy Housesworks with real estate investors across more than 30 states. This broader network gives homeowners in more locations access to cash-sale options. However, the investor and offer terms may vary by market.

3. Home Eligibility Criteria: Laurel Buys Houses vs. Opendoor

Your property’s condition and location can affect which buyer suits you best. Laurel Buys Houses may suit you if you have a severely damaged, distressed, or inherited property in the Sacramento area and need to sell it quickly for cash. The company buys homes as-is, so you can avoid repairs and traditional buyer requirements. However, its offers may range from 50% to 70% of your home’s fair market value, which can mean a lower payout.

Opendoormay make more sense if your home is in good, move-in condition and located in one of its eligible markets. You may receive 70% to 80% of your home’s fair market value, with a transparent 5% service fee. Opendoor also offers flexible closing and move-out options, which can give you more control over your timeline.

“We Buy Houses for Cash” Companies Near Me

There are other “We Buy Houses As Is” companies in the market. You can request an offer from multiple cash companies and pick the one that suits you the best.

RegionCash Home Buyers
Nationwide Connect Home Buyers | ASAP Cash Offer | Expert Home Offers | House Buyer Network | Swift Homes | Fast Home Offer
Near-Nationwide Homevestors | We Buy Houses | Express Homebuyers| House Cashin | Highest Cash Offer
Northeast I Buy Li | IPS | ibuy585.com | Integrity First Home Buyers| Handsome Homebuyer | New England Home Buyers | Sell Fast Boston | Sell Now Homebuyers | First Choice Home Buyers | 1-800-cash Offer | Halo Homebuyers | Morgan Home Solutions | Sell to Jim | Snappy Home Buyers
SouthCava Buys | Simply Sold | Homego | Irby Buys | Mark Spain Real Estate | 365 Property Buyers | Florida Cash Home Buyers | Quick Home Buyers | Freedom Cash Home Buyers | Sarasota Home Buyers | Maximum Cash Home Buyers | Cash Offer Kentucky | Geaux Home Buyers Llc | The Buy Guys | Maryland Cash House Buyers | Keen Home Buyers | Nc Cash Home Buyers | W Properties | Charleston House Buyers | New Horizon Home Buyers | Sell to Bobby | House Heroes | Traction Home Offer | Pps House Buyers | Investment Capital Home Buyers | MarketPro HomeBuyers | Texas All Cash Home Buyers | 4 Brothers Buy Houses | Advantage Homebuyers of America
MidwestDirect Home Buyers | I Buy SD | Ben Buys Indy Houses | Grandview Homes | Heartland Buys Houses | Christopher Ellyn Homes | Des Moines Home Buyers LLC | Professional Home Buyers | HouseMax | Jay Buys Detroit | Detroit Cash for Homes | Detroit Fair Offer | Minnesota Home Guys | Chris Buys Homes | Upward Home Solutions | Ohio Cash Buyers | All Ohio Home Buyers | Omaha Homes for Cash | Metro Milwaukee Home Buyer | Cream City Home Buyers
WestTarek Buys | Osborne Homes | Property Max | Seller's Advantage | Sundae | Andrew The Home Buyer | Doug Hopkins Real Estate | John Buys Bay Area Houses | Laurel Buys Houses | John Medina Buys Houses | SoCal Home Buyers | Sell Quick California | Gordon Buys Homes | The Buy-Out Company | Oahu Home Buyers | Khd Real Estate LLC | Enlight Homebuyers | We Buy Any Vegas House | Boise House Buyers | Brothers buy homes | House Buyers of America | The Easy Home Buyer | I Will Buy House | Beachworks LLC

Other Options You Should Consider

  • Sell For Sale By Owner: For Sale By Owner websites help you list and sell a house yourself, saving thousands in agent commissions. Around one-third of home buyers pay in cash. Hence, selling FSBO helps you to get 100% FMV of your house in cash.
  • Sell Through a Realtor: Traditional Realtors list your property on the MLS and help you at every step of home selling. However, you have to pay them 3% of the home’s sale price for this convenience.
  • Sell Through Discount Realtors: Discount real estate brokers reduce their commissions to offer affordable services. Their commission varies between 0.5% and 2%.

Laurel Buys Houses Reviews: Are They a Good Choice?

Laurel Buys Houses can be a good choice for you if you want to sell your property fast. However, keep in mind that you may have to settle for a lower sale price i.e. 50% to 70% of the FMV.

Furthermore, there is a high possibility that you might not be able to sell with them because of their limited coverage. Laurel Buys homes only in Sacramento and its surrounding area.

We recommend selling your home via a cash buyer marketplace for a better value. On a cash buyer marketplace like Houzeo Cash Offers, you receive multiple offers that increase your chances of securing a top-dollar deal. Moreover, you can sell from anywhere as Houzeo Cash Offers covers 47 states and Washington DC.

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We implemented a rigorous multi-platform evaluation framework to provide an objective, fact-based analysis of Laurel Buys Houses’ services. This review avoids single-source bias by analyzing verified customer touch points across primary consumer intelligence networks.

  • Cross-Platform Aggregation: We gathered raw review data across Google, Yelp and BBB to eliminate platform bias. Each platform weights sentiment differently, so aggregating across all three corrects for the blind spots any single source would introduce.
  • Verified Customer Sampling: Our analysis evaluated 900+ specific consumer touch points to ensure statistical relevance, filtering out unverifiable or duplicate accounts to protect data integrity.
  • Temporal Weighting: Reviews were time-stamped and weighted so recent feedback (last 6–12 months) carries more influence than older reviews, ensuring the analysis reflects current service levels rather than historical performance.
  • Customer Service Analysis: We scrutinized customer interactions with customer service, identifying communication gaps.
  • Alternative Cross-Referencing: We compared Laurel Buys Houses’ directly with competitors to baseline their market value.
  • Category Tagging: Each touchpoint was coded against recurring themes like pricing transparency, customer service responsiveness, closing timeline, etc., so the review speaks about specific, actionable dimensions of service rather than a single blended star rating.

Frequently Asked Questions About Laurel Buys Houses

Is Laurel Buys Houses legit?

Yes, Laurel Buys Houses is a legit company offering their services in Sacramento, California and its surrounding areas. Laurel Sagen, a real estate professional founded LBH. She and her team have been in the real estate business for over 20+ years.

How much can I get with Laurel Buys Houses?

Laurel Buys Houses is a cash buyer that purchases any type of property. You can expect around 50% - 70% of your home's FMV with Laurel Buys Houses. Learn more here.

Does Laurel buy the beach house?

No, Laurel Buys Houses does not buy beach houses as they only serve in Sacramento. So, if you wish to sell to them, make sure your home falls within their coverage area.

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Reviews

5.0 / 5

(1 Reviews)

Lonnie Crawford

Verified Reviewer

5th Feb 2026

Suddenly disabled, kicked to the curb out of a job, trapped in a city I couldn’t afford to live in anymore. Saw Laurel on TV and made the call. Could not have been simpler, easier or faster, her generous offer got me out of the mansion and into a smaller house where I could afford to live on my meager retirement. She’s the greatest and a real lifesaver. Could not give her a higher recommendation.