Question 1

What is Opendoor Buys?

Accepted Answer

We're a local Pittsburgh team rebuilding the city's housing one home at a time. We buy single-family homes directly from homeowners, then renovate them and hold them as quality, attainable long-term rentals for the families in our community. We're not a flipper, and we're not a national call center — we're real people from the same neighborhoods you live in.

Question 2

How do I get started?

Accepted Answer

Tell us about your home through the short form on our site, or call us at 1-833-7CASHNOW. We'll have a real conversation about the property, look at recent sales nearby, and walk you through what the home could become as long-term housing for the block. From there, it's entirely your call.

Question 3

Is there any obligation when I reach out?

Accepted Answer

None at all. Reaching out is completely free, and you're not committing to anything. Take the conversation to think it over, compare it to other options, or walk away — whatever feels right. We won't pressure you and we won't hound you with calls.

Question 4

Will I work with the same person from start to finish?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The local team you speak with first is the same team that walks you through the numbers, signs the paperwork, and meets you at closing — and the same team that renovates the home afterward. No handoffs, no call queues, no being passed between departments.

Question 5

Do I need to prepare my home or gather paperwork before contacting you?

Accepted Answer

No prep needed. The initial conversation is short — a few details about the property and your situation. We do the homework on our side and bring the conversation to you. If we need anything specific later, we'll let you know with plenty of notice.

Question 6

Can we meet in person before I decide anything?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. We're a local Pittsburgh team and we encourage it. Many sellers feel better after sitting down with us at the property or at a nearby coffee shop. Meeting in person costs you nothing and never obligates you to sell.

Question 7

How do you decide what to offer for my house?

Accepted Answer

We look at recent sales of comparable single-family homes nearby, the current condition of your property, and what the renovation budget needs to look like to turn it into quality, long-term rental housing for a Pittsburgh family. The number we share is what we genuinely believe is fair — not a starting point in a negotiation.

Question 8

Will I get less than my home is worth on the open market?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes you'll see a slightly lower number than a fully renovated, perfectly staged MLS sale — but when you factor in agent commissions, closing costs, repairs, holding costs, and months of waiting, our number is often comparable in your pocket. The other piece worth weighing: we're not flipping the home, so what we agree on directly fuels long-term, attainable housing on the block.

Question 9

Is your number a real one, or just a starting point?

Accepted Answer

It's a real number. We don't lowball with a tactic to renegotiate later. The number we agree on is the number we honor through closing, assuming we've described the property accurately.

Question 10

Can I get a number even if I haven't decided to sell yet?

Accepted Answer

Of course. Plenty of homeowners just want to know their options. Getting a number from us is free, no-pressure, and never obligates you. Many people sit on the conversation for weeks or months before they decide what's right.

Question 11

Do you ever change the number after we agree?

Accepted Answer

Only in rare situations where the home turns out to be very different than described — for example, a serious foundation issue we couldn't have known about. In normal cases, the number we agree on is the number you walk away with.

Question 12

How does your offer compare to a traditional realtor sale?

Accepted Answer

A traditional sale usually means showings, repairs, inspections, financing contingencies, 5–6% in commissions, and another 2–3% in closing costs — plus 30–60 days waiting. We skip all of that with a direct sale on your timeline, and the home goes straight into renovation as long-term rental housing rather than back onto the MLS carousel. The end number is often closer than people expect.

Question 13

Can I get more than one number from you?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes, yes. If your situation changes — for example, you decide to do some cleanup before selling, or you find out about a major repair issue — we're happy to revisit. We'd rather get it right than be stuck on the first conversation.

Question 14

Do I pay any fees or commissions?

Accepted Answer

No. No realtor commissions, no closing fees, no service charges, no surprise deductions. The number we agree on is the number you walk away with. Period.

Question 15

Who pays for the closing costs?

Accepted Answer

We do. The standard buyer and seller closing costs on a traditional sale are absorbed on our side. Your only job is to sign and pick up your check.

Question 16

Where does closing happen?

Accepted Answer

At a local Pittsburgh-area title company. We don't ask you to mail documents to faraway offices or sign with strangers — you meet with a licensed local title professional, often within a few miles of the home.

Question 17

How am I paid?

Accepted Answer

By wire transfer or a certified check at closing, whichever you prefer. Funds are typically available the same day you sign.

Question 18

What paperwork do I need to bring?

Accepted Answer

Just a government ID and any deed or mortgage paperwork you have on hand. The title company handles the rest, and we'll let you know in advance if anything else is needed for your specific situation.

Question 19

Do I need an attorney to sell my home to you?

Accepted Answer

You're not required to, but you're welcome to bring one. The title company we use is a licensed third party that protects both sides of the transaction, so the legal protection is built in. If having your own attorney gives you peace of mind, by all means.

Question 20

What if I still owe money on the home?

Accepted Answer

That's the norm, not the exception. The title company pays off your existing mortgage at closing as part of the transaction. You receive the difference between the sale price and the payoff. We can talk through the numbers before closing so there are no surprises.

Question 21

What kinds of homes do you buy?

Accepted Answer

Single-family homes throughout Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas — any age, any neighborhood, any condition. Brick row homes, mid-century capes, post-war ranches, fixer-uppers, even homes that haven't been lived in for years. Every one is a candidate for renovation and long-term hold.

Question 22

Do I need to clean or make repairs?

Accepted Answer

Not at all. Leave behind what you don't want, skip the cleaning, and don't worry about a single repair. We buy your home exactly as it is — roof issues, plumbing, electrical, foundation, fire or water damage, full gut renovations. The harder the work, the more the rebuild adds to the block once it's done.

Question 23

Will you buy a home with tenants still in it?

Accepted Answer

Yes, often. If you're a tired landlord or inherited a tenanted property, we'll work with you and the existing leases. You don't need to deliver the home vacant — that's something we can sort out on our side, and we often keep good tenants in place after we take over.

Question 24

What about inherited or probate properties?

Accepted Answer

We work with inherited homes regularly. If the property is in probate, we'll wait on your timeline — there's no rush to close before the legal side is ready. We coordinate with the executor and the title company so the handoff is smooth. Many of the homes most in need of renovation are inherited properties no one in the family has the bandwidth to take on.

Question 25

Do you buy homes that are behind on payments or facing foreclosure?

Accepted Answer

Yes — and time matters in those situations. Call us as early as you can so we have room to coordinate with your lender and close before any foreclosure date. We've helped homeowners walk away with cash instead of a foreclosure on their record — and kept those homes from cycling through foreclosure auctions.

Question 26

Can I leave belongings in the home?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Leave behind anything you don't want — furniture, appliances, boxes, the contents of a basement or attic. We handle removal as part of the renovation prep. Take what's meaningful, leave the rest.

Question 27

Do you buy condos, townhomes, or multi-family properties?

Accepted Answer

We focus mostly on single-family detached homes — that's where Pittsburgh's biggest long-term rental gap sits. But reach out if you have something else. We'll let you know honestly whether it's a fit and, if not, we may know someone in our network who'd be a better match.

Question 28

Is it okay if the home has been vacant for a while?

Accepted Answer

Completely fine. Long-vacant homes are some of the most common situations we work with — and frankly some of the most important to renovate, because bringing them back into service adds real, lasting housing to the block.

Question 29

Do you buy homes with fire, water, or storm damage?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Damage doesn't disqualify a home with us. We've bought properties with smoke damage, burst pipes, flooded basements, and roof failures. You don't need to lift a finger — we factor it into our number and the renovation plan, then move forward.

Question 30

What about hoarder situations or homes with a lot of clutter?

Accepted Answer

We handle these often, with care and without judgment. You don't need to clean out a single room. We've worked with families through difficult situations and we take privacy seriously every step of the way.

Question 31

How fast can you close?

Accepted Answer

Often within 7 to 14 days — about as fast as a local title company can clear title and prepare paperwork. If you need to close even faster in an urgent situation, tell us up front and we'll do what we can.

Question 32

What if I need more time?

Accepted Answer

That's just as easy. We close on your timeline — whether that's two weeks, two months, or longer. Many sellers need time to find their next place, sort family logistics, or wait on a job start date. Tell us what works and we'll plan around it.

Question 33

Can I stay in the home for a short time after closing?

Accepted Answer

Yes, in many cases. We can arrange a short post-closing occupancy at no charge so you have time to move out without rushing. Just bring it up early so we can put it in the agreement.

Question 34

What happens between accepting the offer and closing day?

Accepted Answer

Very little is required of you. We coordinate with the title company, handle the title search, and prepare paperwork. You'll be in touch with the same local team the whole way through. Most sellers tell us it's the calmest part of the process.

Question 35

How fast will I hear back after I submit my info?

Accepted Answer

Usually the same day. If you reach out after hours, you'll hear from us first thing the next business day. A real person, not an automated message.

Question 36

Are you local to Pittsburgh?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We're based in Pittsburgh, our team lives in the same neighborhoods we buy in, and you can meet us in person before we ever sign anything. We're not a national company with a Pittsburgh phone number — we're here, and our work shows up in the housing on the blocks where we live.

Question 37

What happens to the home after I sell it?

Accepted Answer

We renovate it to a quality, livable standard, then hold it as long-term rental housing for a Pittsburgh family or individual — professionally managed, well-maintained, and rented at levels working families can plan a life around. The home stays in the neighborhood and stays a home. It doesn't get flipped to the highest bidder.

Question 38

Are you the same company as Opendoor.com?

Accepted Answer

No. We're an independent, locally owned Pittsburgh business. We share part of a name but have no affiliation with the national iBuyer Opendoor.com. We do things very differently — local team, no algorithms, and we keep what we buy as long-term rental housing for the community.

Question 39

Why do you buy homes this way instead of through agents?

Accepted Answer

Because the homeowners who reach out to us usually want simplicity — no showings, no repairs, no waiting. Buying directly is the cleanest way to get them what they need quickly and fairly, and the cleanest way for us to move a home from sale to renovation to long-term rental without the moving parts of a traditional sale.

Question 40

What makes you different from other 'we buy houses' companies?

Accepted Answer

Two things. First, we're truly local — you can meet us, call us, and we live where we work. Second, what we do with the homes afterward: we keep them as community rentals, not flips. That gives us a different incentive — we care about the long-term condition of the property and the block it sits on, because both stay our responsibility.

Question 41

Are you licensed or accredited?

Accepted Answer

We operate as a Pennsylvania-based real estate investment company. We don't act as licensed real estate agents — we're the buyer in the transaction — and every closing goes through a licensed Pennsylvania title company for legal protection on both sides.

Question 42

How can I reach a real person?

Accepted Answer

Call us at 1-833-7CASHNOW, email info@opendoorbuys.com, or fill out the property form on our site. You'll hear back from a real person on our team — not a chatbot, not a call center.

Question 43

What areas do you serve?

Accepted Answer

Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas — across Allegheny County and into the neighboring suburbs. If you're nearby and unsure, just call. If your home isn't quite in our footprint, we'll tell you honestly and may know a trustworthy local buyer who is.

Question 44

What does "attainable" rental actually mean in your case?

Accepted Answer

It means we don't underwrite our renovations for the top of the market. We aim for well-maintained, professionally managed homes rented at levels working families in Pittsburgh — teachers, nurses, tradespeople, service workers, retirees on fixed incomes — can actually plan a life around. Quality housing, priced for the people who keep the city running.

Questions about the rebuild?Answers, straight from the team.

The four we hear most about the rebuild.

What happens to the home after I sell it?

Do I pay any fees or commissions?

Do I need to clean or make repairs?

How fast can you close?

Getting Started

The Number

Fees & Closing

Property & Situations

Timeline & Flexibility

Our Mission

Talk to a real person on our local team.