How the Coronavirus Crisis Effects iBuying and Who is Answering the Call

April 5, 2020

Like many other markets, the property iBuying sector is feeling the effects of the Coronavirus crisis. Since the self-quarantining started, and even more so, since stay-at-home orders were put in place across the country, platforms like Offerpad, Redfin and Zillow are seeing business grinding to a halt. 

HomeVestors (formerly We Buy Ugly Houses) is taking matters into its own hands while other platforms scramble for solutions. The company is still buying houses across the nation, but it's doing so completely online. 

The CEO, David Hicks, has explained that the company isn't stopping there. It will continue to implement its successful franchise scheme because, he says, "when a seller has a need to sell their house, we want to be available.”

Even during a pandemic. 

The site's homepage now sports a message explaining the limit to its services with an emphasis that all is not lost— you can still work with the platform to sell your home for fast cash. 

Through this newly, fully virtual service, clients can meet with local HomeVestors representatives via the online platform or phone to set up a virtual meeting and go through the whole process in this way. 

It is only a matter of time before other portals catch on to what could very well be a lucrative endeavor during a time when the internet is the zenith of not only social interaction, but daily business facilitation for quarantined people around the world. HomeVestors has found a way to keep the iBuying sector relevant while other big names still flounder for an answer to their declining numbers. 

 

April 5, 2020
Victoria has been writing about property portals and marketplace sites for Online Marketplaces for over 3 years. She is also our resident artist and is responsible for all of the infographic content on the site.

Subscribe to our mailing list to get the famous, free Friday newsletter!

News and analysis to help build better online marketplace businesses, in your inbox, every Friday

Related News

zillow dark courtoom
Zillow Class Action Lawsuit to Move to Discovery as Judge Denies Motion to Dismiss

A federal judge has given the green light for a class action monopoly lawsuit against Zillow to move into its...

Read More
hemnet skyline 1
Hemnet Announces Free-to-List Offer and Streamlined Operations

Hemnet will introduce two new free entry-level listing offers to encourage the entire Swedish market to publish available properties onto...

Read More
rea group distilled 2
REA Group Agrees to Take 35% Stake in Ireland's Distilled

REA Group has agreed to acquire a 35% interest in Distilled, the owner of Ireland’s and Northern Ireland's number-one property...

Read More
rightmove boardroom 2 3
US Activist Investor Takes 6% Rightmove Stake

US investment firm Sachem Head has reportedly acquired a 6% stake in Rightmove, valued at several hundred million pounds. Sachem...

Read More

Editor's Pick