Thinking about selling your house for cash in the Midlands? You’re probably comparing Restoration Homes and We Buy Ugly Houses. Restoration Homes is local — born and raised in Chapin, SC, buying houses across the Midlands since 2009. We Buy Ugly Houses is the consumer brand of HomeVestors of America, a national franchise network founded in 1996. Here’s how the two stack up.
Meet Both Companies
Restoration Homes vs We Buy Ugly Houses — Side by Side
| Restoration Homes | We Buy Ugly Houses | |
|---|---|---|
| Type of buyer | Local cash buyer (privately owned) | National franchise network (privately held by Bayview Asset Management) |
| Headquarters | Chapin, SC | Dallas, TX |
| Year founded | 2009 | 1996 |
| Markets served | Lexington, Richland, Sumter, Newberry counties | 900+ independently owned and operated franchises across the continental U.S. |
| Who you work with | Our local team in Chapin, SC | The independently owned franchisee that covers your ZIP code |
| How offers are made | In-person walkthrough by our local team | In-person visit and walkthrough by the local franchise property specialist |
| Closing costs | We pay standard seller closing costs | Local franchisee pays typical closing costs |
| Closing timeline | As fast as 7 days | As little as three weeks, or later if you need more time |
What They Have In Common
- Both make direct cash offers — no listing, no showings, no open houses
- Both visit the property in person before finalizing an offer
- Both let you pick a closing date that works for your timeline
- Both buy as-is at the agreed price — no repairs needed before closing
Where They Differ
- Restoration Homes is one local company. We've been buying houses in the SC Midlands since 2009, and the same Chapin-based team handles every deal from first call to closing. We Buy Ugly Houses is the consumer brand for HomeVestors of America, a national franchise network of more than 900 independently owned and operated offices — when you contact webuyuglyhouses.com, your lead is routed to whichever local franchisee covers your ZIP code.
- Every Restoration Homes offer is built on an in-person walkthrough by our local team in Chapin, SC, with hands-on knowledge of every Midlands neighborhood. We Buy Ugly Houses also sends a local property specialist for an in-person visit, but the specialist works for the independently owned franchise that covers your area, not a single corporate team.
- Restoration Homes buys houses in any condition — fire and water damage, hoarder situations, code violations, deferred maintenance, and inherited estates included. We Buy Ugly Houses franchisees also buy houses that need work; specific buying criteria vary by franchisee, since each office is independently owned and operated.
- Restoration Homes can close in as little as 7 days. We Buy Ugly Houses publicly states it can sometimes close in as little as three weeks, or later if you need more time.
Common Questions
Get Your Free Cash Offer From Restoration Homes
No service fees. In-person walkthrough. Close in as little as 7 days.
Or call/text us (803) 590-8818
We Buy Ugly Houses® and HomeVestors® are registered trademarks of HomeVestors of America Inc. This page is an independent comparison and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by We Buy Ugly Houses or HomeVestors.

