If you're looking for a more convenient way to sell your house, iBuyer companies like Opendoor will purchase your home as is, pay for it in cash, and let you pick your closing date. iBuyers also tend to pay closer to fair market value than other cash buyers, such as real estate investors or wholesalers.
However, despite home sellers requesting offers from iBuyers like Opendoor and Offerpad every 60 seconds, iBuyers accounted for just 17,500 of the 4.06 million homes sold in the U.S. in 2024. Most home sellers find a better option elsewhere.[1]
- Before accepting an offer from an iBuyer, see what a realtor thinks your house might sell for as is — meaning no repairs or improvements ahead of listing. A local market analysis will be more reliable than Zillow and you're under no obligation to move forward with a listing.
- You should also check out offers from multiple competitors. To save time, you can start with a free service like Clever Offers, which helps you find the most competitive offers from leading cash buyers — including iBuyers like Opendoor. They can also give you a professional opinion of your home's market value without repairs. You might find that an iBuyer's offer is in range. Compare cash offers with no obligation and sell in as little as 7 days for max market value.
The best iBuyer companies for 2025
1. Clever Offers
Offer Rating
Service Fee
Time to Close
Pros and cons
Why We chose it
Specifics
Pros
- Multiple competing cash offers
- Vetted investors with proven success/funding
- Explore alternate offer types that may fetch a higher price
Cons
- Some deal types have longer timelines
- Cash offers may still be below market value
2. Opendoor
Offer Rating
Service Fee
Time to Close
Pros and cons
Why we chose it
Specifics
Pros
- Pays closer to market value than a typical house flipper
- Convenient selling process and quick inspections
- Flexible closing window of 14–60 days
Cons
- Repair costs can significantly reduce offers
- 5% service fee, on par with realtor commissions
- Strict purchase criteria
3. Offerpad
Offer Rating
Service Fee
Time to Close
Pros and cons
Why we chose it
Specifics
Pros
- Free local moves/3-day grace period after closing
- Flexible options (cash offer, listing w/ free home prep)
- Very flexible closing timeline (8–90 days)
Cons
- 5% service fee + 1% cancellation fee
- Strict purchase criteria
- Repair costs can greatly reduce offers
4. Knock
Offer Rating
Service Fee
Time to Close
Pros and cons
Why we chose it
Specifics
Pros
- Equity advance to buy a new house before your sell
- Up to $35,000 advance for home improvements before you sell
- Use your own agent and mortgage lender
Cons
- Need significant home equity to qualify
- Program fee is 2.25% of your home sale price
- Ongoing mortgage costs add up if your home doesn't sell quickly
5. Homeward
Offer Rating
Service Fee
Time to Close
Pros and cons
Why we chose it
Specifics
Pros
- Get up to 89% of your home value upfront
- List for additional upside after you move
- Choose your own listing agent
- Save on program fees when you bundle Homeward mortgage and title
Cons
- Program fees cost up to 7% of your home sale price
- Additional closing costs, realtor fees, and carrying costs apply
- Strict purchase criteria compared to other cash buyers
6. Orchard
Offer Rating
Service Fee
Time to Close
Pros and cons
Why we chose it
Specifics
Pros
- Access your home equity for a new home purchase before selling
- List on the open market with a backup cash offer
- Interest-free funding for home improvements
Cons
- Total service fees around 8.4% of final sale price
- Orchard's backup offer is significantly below market value
- Must use Orchard-assigned agent to sell your house
7. HomeLight Simple Sale
Offer Rating
Service Fee
Time to Close
Pros and cons
Why we chose it
Specifics
Pros
- Convenient option comparison (agent listing or cash offer)
- Generally positive reviews (fewer for cash offer program)
- Offers within a week, closing possible in 10 days
Cons
- Online estimate may exceed actual investor offers
- Complaints of excessive agent calls after requesting cash offers
- Most reviews focus on agent matching, not cash offer program
Is Selling to an iBuyer worth it?
Pros
- Flexible closing window — as little as 10 days, up to 90 days
- Save time preparing, listing, and showing your home
- Get a fairly competitive cash offer
- No upfront costs for staging or repairs
Cons
- Offers will be less than market value
- Steep service fees (~5%, plus repairs)
- Strict purchase criteria and limited service areas
- Little-to-no negotiating leverage
If you value a fast, hassle-free home sale over getting the most possible money for your home, iBuyer companies might be worth your while. But if you need to get the full market value out of your home — or have a home in poor condition — you might consider alternatives like finding an agent that takes care of the home prep or simply listing your house as is on the open market.
"We were in a position where taking less money was worth it for us," home seller Jesse Zappia told us via Zoom. "If you go in with that mindset, it's great. But if we were in a scenario where we weren't as timebound, I think going the traditional route is probably the way we would go, just to get better profitability out of it."
Before accepting an offer, you'll also want to know your home's potential market value so you know the potential trade-off you're making in sale price — especially considering the fees and other costs associated with selling to an iBuyer.
It's also important to consider broader market trends. For instance, 26% of all homes purchased in 2024 were paid for in cash, which might indicate other cash sale options — such as listing on the open market and requesting cash offers — are worth exploring alongside iBuyers.[2]
Services like Clever Offers help you compare offers from a range of cash buyers — including leading iBuyers — without taking a fee or commission. They can also set you up with a professional pricing opinion from a top local realtor, so you get a sense of your home's actual market value with no obligation to move forward with a listing.
How much will an iBuyer pay for my house?
Our data team analyzed over 530 properties bought and sold by the nation's two largest iBuyers, Offerpad and Opendoor, between 2023 and 2025. Based on our findings, iBuyers typically pay 8-14% less than the home's eventual resale price — a significant cost for the convenience of a quick, hassle-free sale. More specifically, we found that:
- Opendoor paid sellers an average of $26,376 less than the eventual resale price, with an average profit margin of 8.79% per home.
- Offerpad paid sellers an average of $29,346 less than the eventual resale price, with a higher average profit margin of 13.89% per home.
These findings mark a significant change from iBuyers' peak purchasing period in the early 2020s, when Opendoor' median purchase price per home was 107.7% of market value[3]
It's worth noting that the current 8-14% average loss in potential profit doesn't include service fees (typically 5% for Opendoor) or repair deductions.
☝️iBuyers' offers can vary dramatically
While sellers currently can expect to lose out on about 8–14% in profit potential when selling to an iBuyer, individual offers can vary dramatically from these averages.
"Sometimes they make mistakes," said a Reddit user who recently sold their home to Opendoor. "In my case, Opendoor paid me about 20% more than what they eventually resold my house for a few months later."
Other sellers, like this Reddit user, claim that Opendoor offered about 15% below market value — even for a turnkey home in a hot seller's market.
Our analysis of Opendoor and Offerpad listings revealed that, from May 2023–June 2025:
- 9% of Opendoor listings sold for less than the iBuyer originally paid, while 18% sold for a profit of 15% or more
- 20% of Offerpad listings sold for less than the iBuyer originally paid, while 36% sold for a profit of 15% or more
These findings highlight the unpredictability of iBuyer offers. Some sellers may benefit from favorable pricing, but others risk receiving significantly less than their home’s market value.
Comparing Opendoor vs. Offerpad
Anecdotally, Offerpad, the nation's second-largest iBuyer, often makes a higher initial offer than Opendoor but then deducts much more for repairs, negating the higher offer price.
For example, one home seller who posted to Reddit about nearly selling to Offerpad in 2023, received an initial offer of $362,500. However, after a home inspection, the company requested $89,500 in repair concessions (which a realtor advised should have been only $15,000). It refused to negotiate — wiping out any profit the homeowners would have made from the sale.
Another seller we talked to via Zoom was assessed $40,000 for repairs by Offerpad, while Opendoor charged him just $7,000. He ended up selling to Opendoor.
⚠️ Opendoor issued refunds for misleading sellers
In April 2024, Opendoor settled with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) by refunding $62 million to 54,689 homeowners.[4]
According to the FTC, Opendoor misled these sellers into believing they would make more money selling their homes to the company than through the traditional real estate market. In reality, most sellers earned thousands less and often paid higher costs, according to the complaint.
This highlights the potential risks of selling to iBuyers like Opendoor. While iBuyers can offer convenience and speed, their marketing claims may not always align with the actual outcomes. Always compare offers, weigh iBuyer fees, and know your home's true market value before choosing a selling method.
Tips for working with an iBuyer
Take the initial offer with a grain of salt
When exploring selling your home to an iBuyer, be sure you have the final, post-inspection offer in hand before letting go of other options.
iBuyers have grown a reputation for charging hefty repair fees that significantly lower final offers — and you have far less control over negotiations than you would selling to a typical buyer.
Get competing bids
Getting an offer from an iBuyer is free, and you're under no obligation to accept it.
While waiting for an iBuyer to complete their inspections, ask a few other cash home buyers what they'd be willing to offer for your home.
You should also see what a real estate agent can do for you as far as making the process hassle-free.
Realtor Barry Richards advocates using an iBuyer's offer as a baseline. "If an investor is willing to pay this, that's sort of the minimum we should expect to get for the property," he says. "However, you're going to get the most money when you have people competing with each other."
Look at the whole picture
Each iBuyer company has unique features that may better align with your priorities. For example, Opendoor lets you do the interior home inspection by video, while Offerpad offers a more flexible closing window and free local moves. Some factors to consider include:
- Closing times: What's the minimum/maximum number of days the iBuyer can allow for closing on your home?
- Perks: Does the company let you stay in your home after closing? Do they help you move? How easy do they make the inspection and closing?
- Fees: How much are service fees and closing costs? Which company charges more for repairs? Does the company charge you a fee if you withdraw from the deal?
iBuyers vs. alternatives
iBuyers vs. cash investors
If your home needs more work than an iBuyer is looking to put in — or you're outside Offerpad's or Opendoor's service areas — you may want to ask a few other companies that buy houses for cash what they would offer for your house.
While investors typically pay less than iBuyers, they also accept homes in less-than-ideal condition. And some employ creative solutions that can help you get more money for your home — while still providing the ease of a quick, cash home sale.
For example, a novation agreement is where a buyer agrees to take over the updates and renovations to your property to maximize its market value. They then list and sell the property, paying you an agreed-upon price at closing — usually about 80–85% of the home's after-repair value — and keeping any additional profits.
On the other hand, seller financing involves the buyer providing a down payment, paying you regular monthly payments just like a traditional mortgage, and then paying off the remaining balance at a specified future date (usually within 2–5 years). With this option, you can often net 110–120% of your home's market value, since you collect interest on top of the principal. You get a steady monthly income without the responsibilities of being a landlord.
iBuyers vs. buy-before-you-sell services
If you’re concerned about lining up the sale of your old house and the purchase of your new one, modern bridge loan (or 'buy-before-you-sell') services like Knock, Homeward, and Orchard can help you buy a new house before you sell your old one.
A bridge loan is short-term loan based on your current equity, which you then use to make an offer on a new house. This home equity loan is paid back once your old home sells.
This effectively turns any offer you make into a cash offer, which can be very appealing to sellers, and eliminates the need for temporary housing between moves. Most buy-before-you-sell companies will also buy your old house for cash if it fails to sell after a certain period of time.
iBuyers vs. listing as is
If your main concern is avoiding repairs, you might simply consider selling your house as is.
By listing 'as is,' you may attract local investors and bargain hunters willing to accept the home in its current condition — without asking for too much off the offer price.
“The profit you make depends on the market you’re in," says Florida-based realtor Elisha Lopez. "Many sellers still see competitive offers on homes that need repairs.”
Some realtors offer interest free home prep services
If your concern is getting top dollar, and you have some time to spare, you might want to look at pre-listing home prep services available through local real estate brokerages — many of which can offer you better-than-average commission rates.
"If the home is not in the best condition," advises JC Young, a Clever Real Estate partner agent located in North Texas, "we have contractors who can come in to paint and do repairs and get paid at closing so the seller can get a higher price for their home. "
For homeowners who don't have the time or money to spend on pre-listing home improvements, her team also offers value-added services — such as deep-cleaning, decluttering, staging, and curb appeal — paid for out of the proceeds at closing.
Several such programs exist, allowing home sellers to maximize their home value with very little effort and no upfront costs.
Get a top local agent for less: Tell us what you're looking to accomplish with your next home sale, and get agent proposals sent straight to your inbox. Sellers save an average of 50% on listing fees through Clever's pre-negotiated rates, while selling 29 days faster than the U.S. average.
How do iBuyer companies work?
iBuyers like Offerpad and Opendoor purchase houses at a slight discount to resell them on the open market. Each company differs in its purchase criteria, offer amounts, closing timelines, and service fees.
When you request an offer via an iBuyer's website, you'll fill in detailed information about your property and receive a preliminary offer within 24–48 hours.
If your home is eligible, selling to an iBuyer can be a simple, hassle-free alternative to selling your home the traditional way.
If you accept their offer, the company will conduct a home inspection and adjust it to factor in your home's condition and location. They'll also deduct the costs of any repair work needed on the home, so the final offer is typically lower than the initial offer.
If you opt to move forward, you can pick a closing date within 10 days to a couple of months.
What types of homes do iBuyers purchase?
While investors purchase homes in just about any condition, iBuyers acquire homes they can resell quickly with minimal work put in.
The types of properties iBuyers are most likely to consider are also the types most likely to sell on the open market — namely, detached single-family properties or townhomes located in major urban or suburban areas.[1]
We reviewed the terms of service for the biggest iBuyer companies and found that most share similar criteria:
| 🏠 Type of home | Single-family residential homes, condos, and townhomes |
| 🌲 Lot size | 0.5–1.5 acres |
| 💰 Valuation | $100,000–600,000, or up to $1.4 million in high-priced markets |
Most iBuyer companies also look for owner-occupied homes in good condition.
For example, an iBuyer might be happy to repaint your home or complete minor repairs — but major water damage, a cracked foundation, or unpermitted additions might cause them to back out.
If you’re unsure whether your home will qualify, it never hurts to submit your information. In most cases, you’ll receive your cash offer (or rejection) within 24–48 hours.
Finally, keep in mind that these are general criteria and exceptions do exist. Practically every iBuyer company offers a disclaimer that their practices vary according to the specific real estate market you’re in.
FAQs about iBuyer companies
What is the best iBuyer company?
While Offerpad and Opendoor are two of the best-known iBuyers, companies like Homeward, Knock, and Orchard can also help you sell your house for cash. Offer networks like Clever Offers help you compare offers from iBuyers against those of competing cash buyers. Learn about the best companies that buy houses for cash.
Are iBuyer companies legitimate?
Yes, iBuyers are legitimate real estate companies that make cash offers on homes in select locations.
iBuyers price houses using a combination of proprietary algorithms and teams of real estate pricing experts.
Most iBuyers can provide sellers with an offer in less than 24 hours, and close in as little as 2 weeks. Learn more about the top iBuyer companies.
Do iBuyers make good offers?
iBuyers' offers vary with the market conditions and from company to company, but they generally pay close to fair market value. Although, you may get more than market value if you sell your home on the open market. Learn more about what iBuyers pay.


