FLYP vs. Cash Buyers vs. iBuyers
Some investors — flippers and iBuyers — profit by buying your home cheap, doing the renovation you could have done, and keeping the upside. FLYP lets you capture that value yourself. (If you want a fast as-is sale instead, we can also arrange a competitive cash offer.) Here's the side-by-side breakdown.
What is an iBuyer?
An iBuyer(short for "instant buyer") is a tech-driven company that uses algorithms to make near-immediate cash offers on homes — usually within 24–48 hours of you submitting your address. They close fast, charge a service fee, and resell the home themselves after light renovation.
The biggest US iBuyer is Opendoor. Other names include Offerpad, RedfinNow (now closed), and Zillow Offers (also closed). They're all variants of the same model: discounted offer + service fee + algorithmic pricing.
iBuyer vs. flipper: a home flipper — an investor who buys your home as-is and keeps renovation profit — typically offers 60–75¢ on the dollar. An iBuyer is more sophisticated — they offer 85–92¢ on the dollar but tack on a 5–13% service fee, which lands you in similar territory after the math. Both make their margin by capturing renovation upside that would otherwise be yours. If you want a quick as-is sale instead, FLYP can arrange a competitive cash offer.
| FLYP | Cash Buyer | iBuyer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost to you | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Sale price vs. market value | 100–110% | 60–75% | 85–92% |
| You keep the renovation profit | |||
| Professional renovation included | |||
| You choose your own agent | |||
| Timeline to close | 8–14 weeks | 1–2 weeks | 2–4 weeks |
| Typical additional equity | $100K–$200K | -$100K–$150K | -$30K–$60K |
| Service fees | Renovation cost only | None (they profit on resale) | 5–13% of sale |
| Risk if home doesn't sell | You owe $0 | N/A (instant sale) | N/A (instant sale) |
A Real Tacoma Example
A homeowner received a cash offer of $340,000 on a home appraised at $485,000 — 70 cents on the dollar. Here's what happened when they chose FLYP instead.
$185,000 more in the homeowner's pocket.
Don't leave six figures on the table
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