If you’re thinking about selling your home—whether it's your primary residence, a rental, or an inherited property—you’ve likely seen the signs. Literally.
"We Buy Houses – Any Condition – Fast Cash!"
They’re on utility poles, Craigslist ads, and the top of your Google search results. And while they might seem convenient, there’s a deeper conversation to be had—one that centers around trust, transparency, and ultimately, your equity.
What Brokers Must Do: Mandatory Advertising Rules
Licensed real estate brokers and agents aren’t just throwing their name around. They’re regulated. That means when we advertise a property or our services, we are legally required to disclose:
Our full brokerage name
Our license number (in many states)
An office address
A real, verifiable phone number
A broker or agent’s name tied to that ad
Why? Because real estate is a regulated industry designed to protect the public. These rules help ensure accountability. You can look us up. You can verify our license. You know where we work. And if something goes sideways, you have a path for recourse.
Now, let’s take a look at the other side.
What the “Investor” Websites Don’t Tell You
Pull up five or ten “We Buy Houses” websites. Really look at them. You’ll see:
A Google Voice number
A generic Gmail address
Maybe a first name... rarely a last name
No brokerage affiliation
No license number
No office address
No regulatory body they answer to
And yet—they're offering to buy one of your most valuable assets, often within 24 hours.
Do you really believe that someone who is not licensed, has no oversight, and refuses to tell you who they actually are... is going to pay the best price?
Let’s be honest: This is where they make their money—at the purchase.
A wise old guy once told me:
“You make your money when you buy.”
I didn’t understand it at first. But over time, it clicked. The value of an investment is largely determined at the moment it’s bought. The sale simply reveals whether the buyer succeeded. If they “bought right,” they win. And for a real estate investor, buying right means getting the property as cheaply as possible.
So, Whose Equity Is That?
When an investor walks away with a six-figure flip profit, it didn’t come from thin air.
That equity had to come from somewhere.
It came from you—the seller who didn’t get market value because the transaction never hit the open market. No competition. No exposure. No accountability. Just a private, unregulated deal with someone who doesn’t even show their full name on a website.
Protecting Your Equity Starts With Asking Better Questions
Before you take the first cash offer or respond to a generic form online, ask:
Who are you licensed with?
Where is your office located?
What oversight do you operate under?
Will my home be exposed to competitive bidding?
Are you offering full market value—or are you hoping I’m uninformed?
Because when you sell to someone who hides behind a form and a burner number, the person saving money isn't you—it's them.
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