If you've searched "sell my house fast," you've met all three: the tech company with the instant offer, the billboard franchise, and us. They're genuinely different products. Here's how they actually compare — including where each one is the right call.
iBuyers (like Opendoor). Technology companies that make fast, data-driven offers, mostly on homes in fairly good condition in major metros. Fast and convenient — and they charge a service fee at closing, and typically pass on houses that need real work.
Franchise cash buyers (like We Buy Ugly Houses / HomeVestors). A national brand of local franchisee investors who buy houses in any condition, usually with no service fee. The offer and the experience depend on the individual franchisee behind the brand.
Licensed investor-agents (Myers Home Buyers). Myers is a Texas real estate brokerage whose agents are investors. They buy as-is in any condition like a cash buyer — but because every one of them holds a Texas real estate license, they can also list the house instead if that nets you more, and they're accountable to the Texas Real Estate Commission either way.
| Myers Home Buyers | iBuyers (e.g., Opendoor) | Franchise buyers (e.g., We Buy Ugly Houses) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who makes the offer | A licensed Texas investor-agent | An algorithm, then the company | A local franchisee investor |
| Condition they'll buy | Any condition, as-is | Mostly good-condition homes | Any condition, as-is |
| Fee to the seller | No fee to get or accept an offer | Service fee at closing | Typically no fee |
| Can they list it instead? | Yes — cash offer or listing, whichever nets more | No | No |
| Closing timeline | You pick the date | Fast, within their windows | Usually fast and flexible |
| Licensed & TREC-accountable counterparty | Always | Varies by transaction | Varies by franchisee |
Program details for other companies vary by market and change over time — verify current terms directly with each company. This table describes the models honestly as of July 2026.
An iBuyer wins when your house is in good shape, you're in their buy-box, and you value a fast, standardized process over maximizing net.
A franchise buyer wins when the house needs serious work and you happen to get a strong local franchisee.
Myers wins when you want both numbers before you decide. Our agents run the as-is cash offer and the fixed-up listing math — as we show in how cash buyers actually price a house — and tell you which one they'd take. Sometimes the answer is "list it." A buyer who can't list your house can't give you that answer.
A licensed investor-agent will show you the as-is cash offer and the list-it math, side by side. Free, no obligation.
An iBuyer makes fast, data-driven offers on homes in fairly good condition and charges a service fee at closing. A cash home buyer — a franchisee or a licensed investor-agent — buys houses in any condition, including ones iBuyers decline, usually with no service fee.
Investor buyers, not iBuyers. Myers investor-agents and franchise cash buyers both purchase Texas houses as-is in any condition — fire damage, foundation issues, hoarder houses, inherited properties.
Compare two numbers: your realistic listing net (price minus repairs, selling costs, and holding months) versus a written as-is offer. Good-condition house plus time usually means list. Rough house or a hard deadline usually means the cash offer. We'll show you both.
This article is general information for Texas homeowners, not legal, tax, or financial advice. Opendoor and We Buy Ugly Houses are trademarks of their respective owners; Myers Home Buyers is not affiliated with either. Any offer examples are illustrations, not commitments.