Home Helpers charges zero fees, zero commissions, and zero administrative costs. The offer price you accept is the net amount you receive after your existing mortgage payoff and any recorded liens are satisfied. Traditional MLS sales carry 5–6% agent commissions plus approximately 2% in seller-paid closing costs, title insurance, and escrow fees. On a $350,000 sale, that totals $24,500–$28,000 in costs. Our all-cash purchase structure eliminates those costs entirely, though our offer price reflects the 10–15% discount needed to account for repairs and carrying costs we will absorb post-closing.

Home Helpers purchases properties in any condition throughout the 93311 zip code. Including homes with foundation issues, roof damage, fire or water damage, code violations, hoarding cleanup needed, or 30+ years of deferred maintenance. We calculate our offer by taking recent comparable sales in your neighborhood, subtracting estimated repair costs (which we will handle post-closing), and subtracting our holding costs and transaction costs to arrive at a fair cash price. You are not required to make any repairs, pass any inspections, or even clean out personal belongings if you're facing a tight timeline. Our team handles all post-closing work.

Yes. If you're behind on mortgage payments but have remaining equity (meaning your total loan balance plus arrears is less than your home's current market value), Home Helpers can purchase your property, pay off the lender in full including back payments and penalties, and distribute remaining equity to you at closing. This stops foreclosure and prevents it from appearing on your credit report. If you're underwater (owing more than the home is worth), we can help you pursue a short sale with your lender's approval, though that process takes 60–90 days and is not guaranteed. Contact us as soon as you receive a Notice of Default rather than waiting until the 21-day Notice of Trustee Sale period.

Cash purchase offers from Home Helpers typically range from 85–90% of a property's retail market value (the price it would sell for on the MLS in move-in condition after 60–90 days of exposure). The 10–15% difference accounts for repair costs, carrying costs (property tax, insurance, utilities while we renovate), financing costs, and transaction costs we absorb. However, because you pay zero commissions and zero seller closing costs, your net proceeds are often only 5–8% lower than a traditional sale after accounting for the 5–6% agent commission and 2–3% in repairs/concessions you would have paid. The tradeoff is speed and certainty. We close in 7 days with no fall-through risk versus 4 months with 18% fall-through risk for financed buyers.

You'll need proof of ownership (recorded deed or title report), a government-issued photo ID, your most recent mortgage statement showing current payoff balance, and any HOA or special assessment documentation if applicable. California requires sellers to complete a Transfer Disclosure Statement (TDS) even in as-is sales, which we provide and help you complete accurately. If your property is held in a trust or estate, we'll need the trust document or Letters of Administration from probate court. Our team requests these items after you accept our offer and coordinates with your mortgage servicer to obtain an official payoff quote directly, so you don't need to gather that separately.

Yes. Home Helpers purchases tenant-occupied properties throughout the 93311 area and handles all tenant coordination, lease termination, and relocation assistance as part of the transaction. If your tenant has a valid lease, we typically honor that lease through its expiration and become the new landlord post-closing. If the property is month-to-month or you need the tenant out, we handle California-compliant notice and relocation under state law (typically 60 days notice and relocation assistance of 1–2 months rent for no-fault terminations). You never need to interact with the tenant after closing. We take over all landlord responsibilities and costs from day one of our ownership.

Our acquisition team uses a three-factor formula to determine cash offer prices in the 93311 area. First, we pull recent comparable sales (last 90 days, within 0.5 miles, similar square footage and bed/bath count) to establish current retail market value. Second, we assess repair costs using a per-item cost database calibrated to Bakersfield contractor pricing. Foundation repairs, roof replacement, kitchen/bath updates, and code violation corrections are the largest cost drivers. Third, we subtract our holding costs (6 months average), transaction costs (title, escrow, recording), and a profit margin that allows us to stay in business. The result is typically 85–90% of retail value, presented as a written offer with full cost breakdown so you see exactly how we arrived at the number.