In Q2 2024, over 30% of US homes sold for cash. A cash sale means no repairs, no delays, and a quick 7-14 day closing. No wonder Columbus homeowners ditch repairs and choose cash buyers for a hassle-free sale!
But here’s a downside! Cash buyers offer just 30% to 70% of your home’s Fair Market Value. Don’t stress—just enter a cash buyer marketplace. Here you can receive offers that can reach up to 100% of your home’s value!
Reviews: 5 Top Cash Home Buyers in Columbus
1. Houzeo.com: Columbus’ #1 Cash Home Buyer Marketplace
MAX EXPOSURE TO CASH BUYERS
Listing Fee: $199Houzeo 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.
- Pricing:
- Silver Plan – $199: 6-month MLS listing, 24 photos.
- Gold Plan – $249: Maximum photos, contract review, seller disclosures, licensed broker assistance.
- Platinum Plan – $299: Everything in Gold with a 12 month listing and virtual full-service with licensed broker.
» 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!
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 Columbus’ 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. All Ohio Home Buyers
POPULAR CASH HOME BUYER
Service Fee: NoneAll Ohio Home Buyers is a real estate solutions company that buys houses for cash. The sellers prefer them mainly because of their quick response and closing.
- Service Fee: None
- Typical Offer: 50% to 70% of Fair Market Value (FMV)
- Eligible Properties: Distressed properties with structural issues, condemned properties, couples going through a divorce, a death in the family, bad mortgage financing, inherited houses, high-crime neighborhoods, etc.
- Closing Offer Terms: On average, closing is within 7 to 30 days.
👉 Our Take: All Ohio Home Buyers is a good choice for local home sellers looking to sell their house as-is in Ohio. However, their offer is way below the fair market value and there is no room for negotiation.
» Pros and Cons of All Ohio Home Buyers: Read our blog to find out.
- Fast Cash Offer: You will get a free no-obligation offer, even for damaged properties, within 24 hours!
- No Additional Costs: All Ohio Home Buyers make no extra charges, they also cover the closing costs.
- Sell As-Is: You can sell your home as-is and do not have to worry about staging your home for listing or making repairs.
- Lenient Services: They will let you occupy the house for a definite period even after the sale. If you require some proceeds before the sale they will give you an advance.
- Lowball Cash Offer: All Ohio Cash Buyers pays less than what sellers could gain on the open market. The cash offer is ~50% to 70% of the property’s FMV.
- Limited Coverage: All Ohio Home Buyers purchases homes only in select areas in Ohio, such as Belmont, Riverside, Vandalia, and Washington Township.
All Ohio Home Buyers has 4.9 out of 5 stars from 52 reviews on Google Reviews.
» All Ohio Home Buyers Reviews: Read our in-depth review.
All Ohio Home Buyers is a local real estate developer who offers services in select areas. They buy in as-is condition and you don’t need to make repairs. They offer good services, but there have been complaints of spam emails and text messages.
3. Ohio Cash Buyers
MOST EXPERIENCED
Service Fee: NoneOhio Cash Buyers is a real estate company that buys houses for cash based out of Springboro, Ohio. They provide real estate solutions to help homeowners get out of all kinds of sticky situations.
- Service Fee: None
- Typical Offer: 50% to 70% of Fair Market Value (FMV)
- Eligible Properties: Ohio Cash Buyers offers cash for houses only in neighborhoods and properties that pass their eligibility criteria.
- Closing Offer Terms: Ohio Cash Buyers provide a flexible closing date, up to 30 days out. Their offer terms are inflexible and they can change significantly after the home inspection.
👉 Our Take: Ohio Cash Buyers could be a good option if you want a fast sale. To maximize your cash property sale, you should consider listing on the MLS.
» What Is Ohio Cash Buyers: Read this to know more about the company.
- No Obligation Offer: You will get a free, no-obligation offer even if your property is damaged.
- No Closing Costs: Ohio Cash Buyers will cover the closing costs.
- Sell As-Is: You need not stage your home for a showing or worry about repairs and sell as-is.
- Fast Cash Offer: They offer cash for houses in Ohio within 24-48 business hours.
In our research, we found some drawbacks of Ohio Cash Buyers:
- Limited Coverage: Ohio Cash Buyers only covers Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus, and other surrounding areas in Ohio.
- Poor Customer Reviews: Multiple customers have complained about their lack of communication. This even leads to the deal falling through.
- Lowball Cash Offers: They will offer way below the fair market value. Previous clients have stated instances where they reduced the preliminary offer drastically without explanation.
Ohio Cash Buyers has 4.8 out of 5 stars from 97 reviews on Google Reviews.
» Ohio Cash Buyers Reviews: Read our in-depth review on Ohio Cash Buyers.
Ohio Cash Buyers is a local real estate investment firm with over 17 years of experience. They operate in the main cities of Columbus, Cincinnati, and Dayton with limited coverage in other cities.
Previous customers have complained about the lowball cash offers. Some have also mentioned that if not interested, they will double as an agent and claim to assist with the sale.
4. Upward Home Solutions
LOCAL CASH BUYER
Service Fee: NoneUpward Home Solutions is a real estate solutions company established in Ohio in 2015. The company specializes in purchasing distressed properties, assisting homeowners who want to sell their houses in as-is condition.
- Service Fee: None
- Typical Offer: 50% to 70% of Fair Market Value (FMV)
- Eligible Properties: Upward Home Solutions helps with distressed properties, including those with structural issues, condemned homes, inherited properties, and situations involving divorce or death in the family.
- Closing Offer Terms: There are no strict offer terms, and the closing timeline is flexible to accommodate the seller’s convenience.
👉 Our Take: Upward Home Solutions caters to homeowners in Ohio looking to sell their properties quickly to a local cash buyer. However, they offer limited technological support and lack a convenient mobile app.
- No Obligation Offer: They provide a no-obligation offer, even for properties in need of significant repairs.
- No Extra Charges: You need not pay any extra cash, even the closing costs are covered by the company.
- Sell As-Is: Since Upward Home Solutions buys houses as-is, you can save on repair costs!
- Lowball Cash Offer: They often provide cash offers that are lower than what sellers could achieve on the open market, reflecting the convenience of a quick sale.
- 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. They don’t even have a mobile app.
- Potentially Longer Process: Although they offer quick sales, the lack of certain technological tools could lead to delays in communication and processing.
Upward Home Solutions has 4.5 out of 5 stars from 58+ reviews on Google Reviews.
» Upward Home Solutions Reviews: Read our in-depth review on Upward Home Solutions.
Established in 2018, Upward Home Solution serves homeowners throughout Ohio, offering the ability to sell properties as-is and providing free, no-obligation quotes. However, some former clients have expressed concerns about unsolicited communication from their team.
5. Opendoor
BIGGEST IBUYER
Service Fee: 5%Opendoor is the biggest iBuyer in the U.S. 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.
- 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 or homes with tenants do not qualify for Opendoor’s cash offer.
- Closing Offer Terms: Opendoor claims to let you close at your pace, up to 45 days after their offer. However, be aware that your final offer may change after the condition adjustment.
- Service Fee: You will be charged 5% of the home sale price.
Here are some of the benefits that you get with Opendoor:
- Broad Coverage: Opendoor makes cash offers for houses in 51 markets across the country.
- Sell As-Is: Opendoor helps you avoid the hassle of making repairs and you can sell your house as-is.
- Late Checkout up to 14 Days: Opendoor lets you temporarily stay in your home for up to 2 weeks after closing.
- No Cancelation Fees: Opendoor does not charge any cancelation fee. You can cancel the contract anytime.
In our research, we have found certain drawbacks of Opendoor:
- Lowball Cash Offer: Opendoor’s final cash offer may be below your property’s Fair Market Value, around 70%. They also deduct repair and closing costs.
- Hefty Service Fees: Opendoor will charge you a steep 5% service fee for their services.
- 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.
Are Companies That Buy Houses for Cash in Columbus Legit?
Yes, companies that buy houses for cash are legitimate and operate legally nationwide. In fact, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) validates cash buyers in the Arch City. However, be sure to read company reviews and seller testimonials to find a legitimate cash buyer.
3 Types of Companies That Buy Homes in Columbus
- We Buy Houses for Cash Companies: Cash buyers like HomeVestors 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 Columbus
Not sure how to sell your home for cash in Columbus? 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 Columbus Pay?
Columbus 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 $270,000 home in Columbus. With a traditional cash home buyer, you could get just $189,000. 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% | $189,000 |
| iBuyer | 5% | 80% | $216,000 |
| Houzeo | $199* | Up to 100% | $269,801 |
» Houzeo Reviews: Find out why Houzeo is Columbus’ best cash buyer marketplace.
Pros and Cons of Cash Home Buyers in Columbus
Given that more sellers are opting for cash buyers in Columbus, 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 Columbus 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: Columbus 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 Ohio. Always check the terms, or you could be out 6.25% to 9%!
Common “We Buy Houses for Cash” Scams 🚩
If any Columbus cash home buyer extends an offer that seems to-good-to-be-true, it probably is. Stay alert, and don’t fall victim to the following scams.
- Bait-and-Switch Offers: Scammers present appealing offers and then change them later, hoping you’ll accept out of desperation. Always verify the terms before you sell your house for cash or accept an offer.
- Deed Fraud: Fraudsters can sell or mortgage your home without your consent using fake documents. Check customer testimonials and online reviews before you select a cash buyer.
- Loan-Flipping Scams: Some scammers may pressure you to sell your home fast for cash by offering loans that drain your equity. Always consult a trusted advisor before agreeing to any cash offer.
- Email Phishing: Scammers send fraudulent emails pretending to be agents, title companies, or lenders. They trick you into wiring money or providing personal details for fake services. Always confirm the authenticity of any cash offer for a home via a phone call.
» We Buy Houses Ripoff: Learn how to avoid falling victim to the scam.
Alternatives to Companies That Buy Houses for Cash in Columbus
- Flat Fee MLS Services: You can get up to 100% of your home’s FMV with a Ohio 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. Ohio 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 Columbus charge between 0.5% to 2.5% as commission.
Should You Sell to Cash Home Buyers in Columbus?
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.
