Over 30.7% of all homes were bought with cash in Q2 of 2024, up slightly from 30.4% a year ago. This shows that cash is still king in The Hawkeye 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 Iowa
1. Houzeo.com: Iowa’s #1 Cash Home Buyer Marketplace
Max Exposure to Cash Buyers
Listing Fee: $3994.9/5
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, your home gets maximum exposure to Iowa’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. 1-800-CashOffer
NATIONAL COVERAGE
Service Fee: None5/5
1-800-CashOffer is a property tech company offering service across all the 50 states. They are local home buyers who do not charge any commissions or apply discounts to the offer price.
- Service Fee: None
- Typical Offer: 50% to 70% of Fair Market Value (FMV)
- Eligible Properties: 1-800-CashOffer purchase commercial buildings, duplexes, quadplexes, condos, townhouses, apartment complexes, bare land, and mobile homes with land attached.
- Closing Offer Terms: The cash home buyer begins the home purchase process on the date on time of your choice. Additionally, the company can close the sale within a week, or at a later date if you need more time to relocate.
👉 Our Take: 1-800-CashOffer is perfect for home sellers seeking a stress-free move, as the company handles everything, from clearing out old furniture to removing trash and clutter.
- No-Obligation Deal: The cash buyer makes you an offer and lets you evaluate all the options. You can choose to sell to them only if you are satisfied with their services and offers.
- Zero Service Fees: 1-800-CashOffer doesn’t charge any transaction fees, commissions, or repair costs.
- Buys Distressed Properties: The cash company buys completely fire damaged and outdated homes in as-is condition.
» Pros and Cons of 1-800-CashOffer: Read further to know the advantages and disadvantages of the cash home buyer.
- Low Non-Negotiable Offer: 1-800-CashOffer buys homes for ~50% to 70% of the property’s market value, and is usually non-negotiable.
1-800-CashOffer has 5 out of 5 stars from 1 customer review on the Better Business Bureau.
» 1-800-CashOffer Reviews: Read our in-depth analysis on the cash buyer.
1-800-Cash Offer is one of the oldest cash home buyer networks in the U.S. You can call on +1-800 toll-free to request cash for your property.
You may not get maximum cash for your house, though. These home cash buyers will only offer up to 70% of the home’s fair market value.
3. We Buy Ugly Houses
NATIONWIDE COVERAGE
Service Fee: None2.6/5
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 its 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, a trademark of “HomeVestors,” operates on a franchisee model. Each WeBuyUglyHouses franchisee has its own rules, so the cash offer terms and service quality may not be consistent. If your house needs dire repairs, they make cash offers starting from 30% of its FMV.
» Selling a Home As Is in Iowa: Check out our guide for selling your Iowa house as-is.
4. Des Moines Home Buyers, LLC
Local Cash Home Buyer
Service Fee: None4.7/5
Des Moines Home Buyers, LLC is a “we buy houses for cash” company specializing in purchasing homes in the Des Moines area, focusing on providing quick and hassle-free transactions. They typically cater to homeowners looking to sell property fast, often for cash and in as-is condition.
- Service Fee: None
- Typical Offer: 50% to 70% of Fair Market Value (FMV)
- Eligible Properties: Des Moines Home Buyers LLC specializes in purchasing distressed properties, including those with structural issues and situations like divorce, inherited houses, or bad mortgage financing. They offer tailored solutions for homeowners in challenging circumstances.
- Closing Offer Terms: A flexible closing date is available, allowing for scheduling up to 30 days in advance.
👉 Our Take: The focus is on closing quickly while not expecting significant returns on the properties.
- Instant Cash Offers: They give a free, no-obligation offer within 24 hours for damaged properties as well.
- Flexible Closing: You can choose closing dates at your convenience. Des Moines Home Buyers, LLC takes 7-30 days to close the deal.
- No Additional Costs: There are no service fees, no commissions, and you need not even pay closing costs.
- Sell As-Is: You save on repair costs and home staging costs and sell your house as-is.
- Inflexible Offer Terms: Offer terms are inflexible, and may use controversial tactics to close the cash home deal.
- Lowball Cash Offer: Des Moines Home Buyers LLC may put in lowball cash offers of around 50% to 70% of the fair market value. This is lower than what you can get on the open market.
- Regional Limitation: Services may be restricted to specific areas, excluding some potential sellers who could benefit from their offerings.
Des Moines Home Buyers, LLC has a rating of 4.7 stars from 30+ reviews on Google Reviews.
» Des Moines Home Buyers Reviews: Read our in-depth review
Des Moines Home Buyers is a local cash home buyer who has been in business for the past 15 years. They have coverage only in limited areas in the Des Moines metro area. They use the Iowa State Bar (Law) Association contract to protect all parties.
5. HomeVestors
NATIONAL CASH BUYER
Service Fee: None4.5/5
HomeVestors is a nationwide network of real estate investors operated independently. This cash home buyer company is the parent brand of We Buy Ugly Houses.
- Service Fee: None.
- Typical Offer: 50% to 70% of Fair Market Value (FMV).
- Eligible Properties: Properties that need extensive repairs, homes in less affluent neighbourhoods.
- Closing Offer Terms: HomeVestors provides a flexible closing date, up to 30 days out. Offer terms are inflexible and depend on your region’s local real estate investor.
👉 Our Take: This cash buyer company is best for home sellers looking to quickly unload an extremely distressed house.
- Fast Cash for Distressed Homes: HomeVestors investors make fast cash offers, regardless of the property’s condition. The initial offer is based on comparable properties in the area and housing market trends.
- Zero Service Fees: HomeVestors doesn’t charge any service fee when you sell your property for cash.
- Zero Upfront Costs: When selling to HomeVestors.Com, you don’t need to prep the home or worry about repairs. There is no listing paperwork or need for photography.
- Flexible Closing: You can choose a flexible closing schedule when you sell to HomeVestors, the ‘Home buyers of America.’
- Near Nationwide Coverage: HomeVestors has 1000 independently owned franchisee offices in 45 states.
- Lack of Online Resources: Home Vestors 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 have a mobile app.
- Inconsistent Quality of Service: When you sell to HomeVestors, you sell your house to a local investor. The service quality will differ based on that investor’s franchisee.
- Aggressive Marketing: Once property owners show interest in the services of HomeVestors, they may be harrassed with endless mails, calls, and in-person visits.
HomeVestors has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 on Google. HomeVestors has 1.48 out of 5 stars with 40 reviews on Better Business Bureau.
HomeVestors Reviews: Read this review to get an idea of how the franchise-based model of the company works.
HomeVestors is the biggest cash home buyer franchisor in the U.S., with over 800 offices nationwide. The company also owns the “We Buy Ugly Houses” brand.
Each HomeVestors office is independently owned and operated by a local real estate investor. HomeVestors’ investors typically deduct the cost of repairs at closing and offer 50% to 70% of the fair market value.
6. ASAP Cash Home Buyers
NATIONWIDE COVERAGE
Service Fee: None4.8/5
ASAP 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. With over a decade of experience, they provide all legal and financial support such as consultations on how to fix current bad debts, encumbrances on your property, etc.
They have nationwide coverage but in every state you have different investors or buyers making the experience different at each place
7. House Cashin
CASH HOME BUYER
Service Fees: None4.7/5
House Cashin is an online platform that connects home sellers to credible real estate investors and other parties. You can receive multiple cash offers on your property within 24 hours.
- Service Fee: None
- Typical Offer: 50% to 70% of Fair Market Value (FMV)
- Eligible Properties: House Cashin accepts all types of distressed properties, including damaged houses, inherited properties, homes facing foreclosures, etc.
- Closing Offer Terms: Once you accept an offer from an investor, they close within 7 days.
👉 Our Take: House Cashin is a company that connects homeowners with potential buyers. Since there are multiple offers, you can pick one at your convenience.
- Competitive Cash Offers: House Cashin can provide up to 5 no-obligation all-cash offers on your property within 24 hours.
- Nationwide Coverage: House Cashin offers its services in all 50 states and Washington D.C.
- Zero Service Charges: No commissions or closing costs.
- Selling As Is: You can save on repair costs and sell your house as is.
- Inconsistent Quality of Service: The offers made on your property via House Cashin are by local real estate investors. The service quality will differ based on the independent investor you are dealing with.
- Non-Negotiable Cash Offers: Although you receive multiple offers, no investor may offer more than 70% of your property’s fair market value. Even if your property isn’t distressed, they will rarely budge on the offer price.
House Cashin has 4.7 out of 5 stars on Google.
» House Cashin vs. Houzeo: Read further to know why Houzeo is better than House Cashin.
House Cashin is an online platform that connects home sellers with real estate investors interested in buying property. They offer their services across all states.
With a single request, you can receive up to 5 cash offers from reputable real estate investors in 24 hours. Once you choose from the proposed offers, the investor will close on your property within 3 to 30 days.
» How to Request Highest and Best Offers? Check out our video on how to procure the best potential offer in a multiple-offer situation.
Are Companies That Buy Houses for Cash in Iowa 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.
2 Types of Companies That Buy Homes in Iowa
- 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 Cashin.
- 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 Iowa
If you’re wondering how to sell your home for cash in Iowa, 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 Iowa” Companies Pay?
Cash buyers in Iowa 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 $240,300 home in Iowa. With a traditional cash home buyer, you could get just $168,210. But, with a cash buyer marketplace like Houzeo, you only pay $749 and get up to $239,551!
| Service Provider | Service Fee | Potential Offer (of the ARV) | Actual Offer Amount |
| Cash Buyer | None | 70% | $168,210 |
| iBuyer | 5% | 80% | $192,240 |
| Houzeo | $749* | Up to 100% | $239,551 |
📢 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 Iowa
✅ Pros
- Fast Cash Sale: Typically, sellers must list on MLS in Iowa and wait for potential buyers. “We Buy Houses for Cash” companies offer a cash deal within 24-48 hours.
- Flexible Closing: Cash buyers in Iowa 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: Iowa’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 Iowa 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 Iowa
- List Your Home With a Flat Fee MLS Service: You can get up to 100% of your home’s market value with a Iowa 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 Iowa Realtor, you will have to shell out a 5% to 6% commission. That’s $14,418 on a $240,300 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 Iowa 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 Iowa will help you list on the MLS and increase exposure.
Should You Sell to Companies Buying Houses in Iowa?
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 Iowa. Companies like Opendoor and HomeVestors 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 Iowa 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 Iowa house?
You can sell your house in 7 to 30 days when selling to cash buyers in Iowa.
» How to Sell a House Fast in Iowa: Learn how you can get your home sold in no time in The Hawkeye 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.
