Frequently Asked Questions
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Selling Basics
How does selling my house to Mike Buys Houses work?
Tell us about your property by phone or with the short form. We take a quick look at the house, usually make you a fair all-cash offer within 24 hours, and if you accept, we close at a local title company on the date you choose.
Who is Mike Buys Houses™?
Mike Buys Houses™ is a local home buying company based in Farmington Hills, Michigan, owned by Mike Cowper. We buy houses directly from homeowners for cash, as-is, across Southeast Michigan.
Are you real estate agents?
No. We are professional house buyers, not agents. We buy with our own cash, so we are not trying to list your house or sell it to someone else.
Do I have to accept your offer?
No. Our offer is no obligation and no pressure. Take the time you need to review it, talk it over with family or compare it with your other options before you decide.
Do you have a one size fits all buying solution?
No. Every seller’s situation is different, so we listen first and build an offer around what you need. Because we pay cash, we can be flexible on price structure, timing and what you leave behind in ways other buyers can’t.
Can I call you just for advice?
Yes. Many people call Mike to talk through their situation without planning to sell. He will give you a straight answer either way.
Do you speak Spanish?
Yes. Hablamos español.
Your Offer & Money
Do you pay retail price for homes?
No. We pay a fair cash price for the house as it is today. A retail sale can look higher on paper, but the seller usually pays agent commissions of 5 to 6 percent, closing costs, repairs and several months of mortgage, taxes and utilities while the house is listed. Buyers may also ask for more repairs after inspection, and their loan can fall through. Once those costs come out, many sellers net a similar amount with a cash offer, without the wait or the risk.
How do you come up with your cash offer?
We start with what similar homes on your street have sold for recently. Then we subtract the cost of the repairs the house needs and the cost of holding and reselling it. What is left is our cash offer, and we walk you through each number.
How quickly will I get an offer?
Once we get your info, we’re usually able to make you a fair all-cash offer within 24 hours.
Are your offers guaranteed?
Yes. We look at the house before we make an offer, so the number we give you is the number we pay at closing. We do not cut the price after an inspection.
Will I get the offer in writing?
Yes. You receive a written offer that states the purchase price, the timeline and any conditions, so you know exactly what you are agreeing to.
How much will I have to pay in fees and commissions?
Zero. There are no commissions or fees, and we cover normal closing costs. The cash offer we make is the amount you receive at closing, less any mortgage or liens you already owe.
I don’t have any money. Will I have to pay closing costs out of pocket?
No. We structure the offer so you do not pay out of pocket. Normal closing costs are covered by us.
Is it really cash? Do you need a bank loan?
It is really cash. We don’t rely on bank financing, so there is no loan approval that can delay or cancel the sale.
Closing & Timeline
How fast can you buy my house?
We can usually make you a cash offer within 24 hours, and sometimes as fast as 48 hours after seeing the house. If you accept, we can close in as little as 7 days.
Can I pick my closing date?
Yes. We can close in as little as 7 days, or on a later date that works for you if you need more time to move.
Who handles the closing and the money?
We close at a local reputable title company. Once the transaction is complete, you receive your funds directly from the title company.
Do I need to move everything out before closing?
No. Take what you want to keep and leave the rest. We buy houses as-is, including anything you do not want to take with you.
What if I still owe money on the house?
That is common. Your mortgage and any liens are paid off at closing out of the sale, and you receive the rest. If you owe close to what the house is worth, call us and we will talk through your options.
What paperwork do I need?
Usually just a photo ID and anything that shows you own the house or have authority to sell it. The title company handles the closing documents and will tell you if anything else is needed.
Repairs & Condition
Can you still buy my house if it needs lots of repairs?
Yes. We will buy your house the way it is, no matter the condition. You don’t have to do any cleaning or repairs.
Do I need to clean the house before you see it?
No. We don’t care how dirty the house is. We have seen it all, and our offer already accounts for clean-out.
Will you buy an older home that needs major updates?
Yes. We buy houses as is, including older homes that need a roof, furnace or full update. You do not clean, repair or stage anything.
Do you buy houses with fire, water or code damage?
Yes. We buy vacant houses, fixer-uppers and homes with fire, water or code-related damage, in addition to move-in-ready homes.
Do you need to see the house?
Yes, we take a quick look at the house, in person or by video, before we make an offer. In most cases that is the only visit, with no repeated showings to buyer after buyer.
Foreclosure & Behind on Payments
Can you help me if I am in foreclosure?
Yes. We understand foreclosure and can discuss your options with you. If we can’t find a solution to buy your house that stops the foreclosure, we know other foreclosure prevention specialists who may be able to help. Time matters, so call us as soon as you can.
What if my house already got foreclosed on?
For most owner-occupied homes, Michigan provides a 6-month redemption period after the sheriff’s sale, and you can usually still sell during that time. Once the redemption period ends, we can no longer help, and a foreclosure will stay on your credit for 7 years.
How long does the foreclosure process take in Michigan?
Federal rules generally keep a lender from starting foreclosure until you are more than 120 days behind. After that, the Notice of Sale runs for four weeks before the sheriff’s sale, and most owner-occupied homes then have a 6-month redemption period.
Will foreclosure ruin my credit?
A foreclosure can lower your credit score by 100 to 160 points and remain on your credit report for up to seven years. Selling before foreclosure helps protect your credit and makes it easier to buy another home later.
What if I owe more than my house is worth?
Even if you have little or no equity, you may still be able to sell your home. We can often work directly with your lender to create a short sale or payoff agreement that helps you avoid foreclosure.
Probate & Inherited Houses
I inherited a house that is still in probate. Can you help?
Yes. We work with families and personal representatives during probate and can wait for the court process to finish.
Who is allowed to sell a house in probate?
Only the executor or personal representative appointed by the court has the legal authority to sell a probate property in Michigan.
Do all inherited homes have to go through probate?
No. If the deceased person placed the home in a living trust or held it jointly with right of survivorship, the property can transfer ownership without probate.
How long does probate take in Michigan?
Probate in Michigan can take anywhere from a few months to over a year, depending on the complexity of the estate, court schedules and whether there are disputes among heirs.
What if family members live out of state?
That is common with inherited houses. Most of the process can be handled by phone and email, and the title company can arrange for documents to be signed remotely.
Tenants, Rentals & Vacant Houses
Can you buy my rental property with tenants in place?
Yes. We buy rental properties with tenants still living there, so you do not need to wait for a lease to end or handle an eviction first.
Do you buy vacant houses?
Yes. Vacant houses keep costing you taxes, insurance and utilities while they sit. We buy them as-is and can close quickly.
I’m a tired landlord. Can you buy more than one property?
Yes. Call us and tell us about each property. We can make an offer on one or several.
Divorce, Relocation & Other Situations
Can you buy my house if I’m going through a divorce?
Yes. A cash sale can help both owners move on quickly. Both owners on the title will need to agree to the sale and sign at closing.
I need to relocate quickly. Can you work with my timeline?
Yes. We can close in as little as 7 days, or on the date you need, so you are not paying for two homes after you move.
Can I sell a house with tax liens or back taxes?
Often, yes. Liens and back taxes are usually paid off at closing out of the sale proceeds. Call us and we will look at the numbers with you.
My situation isn’t listed. Can you still help?
Probably. We buy houses as-is in all kinds of situations. Call us at (586) 284-5301 and tell us what’s going on.
Areas & About Us
What areas do you buy houses in?
We buy houses across Southeast Michigan, including Oakland, Wayne, Macomb and Washtenaw counties, in more than 40 communities such as Troy, Livonia, Ann Arbor, Warren, Rochester Hills, Dearborn and Farmington Hills. We do not currently buy within Detroit city limits.
Where is your office?
Our office is at 32455 W 12 Mile Rd, Farmington Hills, MI 48334. You can call us at (586) 284-5301.
Who will I talk to when I call?
You will talk to someone on our local team. Mike and his team handle your sale from the first call through closing day.
How is selling to you different from listing with an agent?
No commission, no showings, no financing contingency, and a closing date you control instead of one set by a buyer’s mortgage timeline.
Do you have reviews from past sellers?
Yes. We have a 5.0 rating from 65 Google reviews. You can read them on our reviews page or on Google.
Michigan Homeowners Mike Has Helped
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Mike Buys Houses™
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