Dear Fellow “We Buy Houses” Companies,
We’ve all heard it before: “We buy houses, no matter the condition.” It’s the core of what we do, and for many homeowners, it’s a lifeline—an opportunity to get out from under a burdensome property quickly and efficiently. But I want to ask an important question: Are we really looking out for our clients, or are we just looking at their houses?
In our industry, it’s easy to focus on the numbers, the contracts, and the deals. After all, houses are what we buy, fix, and sell. But for the people connected to those houses, their situation is often far more complex than a simple transaction. Too often, we overlook the reasons why someone might be selling in the first place. What if we slowed down long enough to ask ourselves: What does this person really need? How can we help beyond the sale?
Miss Anne’s story (name changed to protect her privacy) reminds us of what’s truly at stake. When she first reached out, it wasn’t just about selling her house—it was about survival. Miss Anne’s home, a Baltimore row house, was falling apart. She had no running water, no functioning bathroom, and she was caring for her adult son with special needs. She was barely holding on. Could she have been taken advantage of in her vulnerable state? Absolutely — we all know we buy houses scams exist. But should she have been?
Before any sale or agreement was even on the table, something different happened. Her situation wasn’t seen merely as an opportunity to make an offer—it was seen as an opportunity to help. Her most basic need was met first: her bathroom was fixed, restoring a bit of dignity to her daily life. There was no charge and no expectation. It was simply the right thing to do.
Yet, Miss Anne’s story didn’t end there. She was facing liens on the property, behind on payments, and financially overwhelmed. The easy route would have been to move quickly, make an offer, close the deal, and move on to the next person. But the real need went beyond that. Miss Anne needed a place to move into, a new home that fit within her limited budget. This required time, patience, and advocacy on her behalf. Calls were made, properties were scouted, and negotiations took place.
The final sale of Miss Anne’s house didn’t go off without a hitch. Last-minute issues arose, as they often do, and additional funds were required to close the deal. Instead of walking away or renegotiating, the situation was resolved to ensure that Miss Anne could start her new life without further burden.
What’s the point?
At the end of the day, it is true that we are involved in business. We’re here to make a living, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But it’s worth asking ourselves: are we just buyers, or are we truly looking out for our clients?
When homeowners come to us, they aren’t always just selling a house. They’re often selling because they have no other choice—because life has thrown them challenges they can’t navigate alone. Are we taking the time to understand their stories, their struggles, and their needs? Or are we only looking at the walls, the roof, the floorboards, and, dare I say it…the dollar signs?
There’s a fine line between making a deal and making a difference. Miss Anne’s story is a reminder that the real value in what we do isn’t just in flipping houses—it’s in flipping the script on how we treat people. We have the power to offer more than just a cash offer. We can offer compassion, dignity, and the peace of mind that comes from knowing someone cared enough to look out for their best interests.
The next time you walk into a house to make an offer, pause. Ask yourself if the person in front of you is selling because of a need. If they are, consider how you can help—whether it’s fixing something before the sale, helping them navigate their next steps, listening to their story, or even directing them away from quickly selling their home if it’s not best for them.
How many times do we miss opportunities to truly help our clients because it will cost us something—whether extra effort, time, money, or all three? Let’s be honest: the temptation to look the other way when we see a need is real for all of us. We owe it to our clients to do more than just buy their houses. We owe it to them to treat them like we would want to be treated.
Sincerely,
A Fellow We Buy Houses in Baltimore Company
At the end of the day, the decisions we make as investors reflect the kind of industry we want to build. Our neighbors should not have ask if we buy houses companies are ethical. Let’s set the standard for ethical, compassionate investing.
