If you’ve been driving around in Boston, chances are you’ve seen some billboards advertising companies that buy houses.
Often times they say things like “We Buy Boston Houses!” or “Cash For Your House”.
Are These “We Buy Houses in Boston Companies” Credible?
How can you determine the credibility of local house buying companies in Boston? It may be challenging to differentiate them at first glance, but we’ll outline key factors to consider before engaging with any company.
Engaging in the buying and selling of houses is a legitimate and honorable profession that can benefit both communities and homeowners. However, similar to any industry, a small percentage of house buyers tarnish the reputation of the majority.
Among them are reputable and ethical individuals dedicated to enhancing their neighborhoods one property at a time.
Conversely, there are unscrupulous individuals who prioritize financial gain over their clients’ well-being. They are willing to exploit any opportunity for profit, disregarding ethical standards.
Regrettably, such individuals do exist.
Our aim is to steer you away from these unethical house buyers and connect you with trustworthy, ethical, and reliable local companies in Boston that can provide a fair all-cash offer for your house and accommodate your preferred closing timeline.
However, let’s shift our focus away from the negative aspects, for now, and instead delve into what distinguishes the top-performing house flippers.
What Reputable Boston House Buyers Are Doing
- Helping folks improve their lives by accessing the money they needright away. People often need the cash in their house to cover unexpected medical expenses, or to relocate to be close to a relative. We can make that happen in just a few days, and we deliver peace of mind.
- Helping sellers get rid of a burdensome property without the hassle of having to list it with a broker and wait months and month for a sale.
- Creating local jobs. We hire plumbers, contractors, electricians, brokers, title reps, loan officers, administrators and many other folks along the way. The average real estate transaction involves 86 people from start to finish. Our investments help create real jobs for people around Boston MA.
- Buying US products. We spend tons of money on materials that are made right here in the USA – that creates jobs in our timber mills, factories, supply shops, distribution centers and more. The US economy depends on steady improvement, and that requires investment from folks like us.
- Increasing the value of Boston neighborhoods. When we improve a house, we’re helping to increase the value of the entire community. We often repair abandoned and neglected houses, turning them into beautiful homes for families. That activity strengthens Boston.
- Increasing the tax base. When a new buyer takes over one of our properties, they’ll pay a higher tax rate based on the new and improved value. Those taxes go to pay for our schools, fire, police, libraries, streets and other valuable pieces of infrastructure. Again, improving our neighborhoods.
Pretty cool stuff, right?
Lots of people think of house-flipping as a get-rich-quick scheme. That’s fueled by ridiculously unreal “reality” shows that amp up the drama because the reality of what we do on a daily basis is actually pretty boring, monotonous, and many times frustrating.
Most of our work is coordinating with tons of people to make sure things are happening on time and on budget while keeping track of all the moving parts along the way.
So let’s get back to how you can use this information to find out if someone is a credible investor, and not just pulling a house buying scam.
How To Ensure You’re Working With A Reputable Local House Buyer
When you talk with a local house buyer to potentially buy your house… ask them some of the questions below to ensure they’re reputable, knowledgeable, and honest.
Ask open-ended questions like:
- How do you help your clients?
- What do you do for people?
- Can you tell me more about your services?
- What aspect of your business makes you the proudest?
- How would you describe your investment philosophy?
- How can I know that you’ll close on my house when you say you will?
Second, look for tell tale signs of tactics that those few shady operators tend to use.
- “Kitchen table closings” – If a property buyer tries to get you to sign your deed (ownership) of your house over to them at your house, rather than a professional place like a closing attorney or title company… be cautious. Most reputable house buying services will perform the actual closing of the sale at a neutral 3rd party place… like a title company, attorney office or your county’s Registry of Deeds. This ensures everything is done right and on the up and up.
- Pressuring you into a fast closing – If a house buyer tries to pressure you into selling your house and says that you have to make the decision today, the best course is likely to escort them out of your house. Most reputable house buying services will make you and offer and that offer will be on the table for at least 2-7 days (minimum) for you to make a decision. The reason reputable house buying services like ours at Gaeta Properties do place deadlines on our offers is because the market changes and values can change week to week depending on other sales in the area, also… we buy multiple houses a month and when we make you an offer we’re assuring you that the cash to purchase your house is ready and we’ll reserve that cash for several days so if you do want to sell your house, we can close on your schedule. If you feel the offer isn’t a fit for you, then we’ll earmark those funds to help another seller with their home sale.
Most scammers are looking for a quick score, and not an in-depth interview.
Chances are good that they’ll find excuses to get off the phone and move on to someone who doesn’t ask too many questions.
True investors who run honest and ethical Boston house buying services, however, are building long-term businesses based on relationships and community development.
So when you’re looking at one of the “we buy houses in Boston companies“… never be afraid to ask questions!