We show you the whole calculation. First, we estimate what your house would sell for after it is fully repaired, based on recent sales of similar homes nearby. Then we subtract the cost of the repairs it needs, our costs to buy, hold, and resell it (closing costs, taxes, insurance, and utilities while we own it), and our profit. What is left is our offer. We walk you through every number, and you are welcome to check them yourself.

Usually, yes. Listing with an agent often brings a higher price, but you pay commissions, make repairs, handle showings, and wait. A cash sale trades some price for speed, certainty, and no hassle. We will tell you plainly which path we think fits you better, even if it is not us.

No. Getting an offer is free, and you can say no at any point before you sign. Take your time, ask questions, and talk it over with family or an attorney. If you do decide to sign, we will walk you through exactly what the contract means first.

Within one business day, we call or text you to learn about the house and your situation. Then we set up a time to see the house, in person or by video, whichever is easier for you. After that appointment, we give you a written offer and walk you through how we got it. You decide whether to accept, and if you do, you pick the closing date.

We need to see it one way or another, but it does not have to be in person. A walkthrough, a live video tour, or good photos let us give you an accurate offer. That offer will not change later unless something serious turns up that could not be seen, such as hidden foundation damage.

We walk through the house with you before we give you a final written offer, so the offer already reflects what we saw. After that, the price stays the same. The only exception is a serious problem neither of us could see during the walkthrough, such as hidden foundation damage. If that happens, we will show you exactly what we found and what it costs to fix, and you decide how you want to proceed.

Show it to us and we will look at it honestly. If we can match or beat it, we will tell you. If we cannot, we will tell you that too. The highest number is not always the offer that actually closes, so we are happy to help you compare the terms.

Compare it. Get other cash offers, or ask a local agent what your house would list for. We would rather you choose us knowing all your options.

It is a good fit if you need to sell quickly, cannot or do not want to make repairs, or want a sure closing date. It is probably not the best fit if your home is move-in ready and you have time to list it with an agent. If that is you, we will say so.

We do not rush a number. After we talk, we schedule a time to see the house, in person or by video, whenever works for you. We make your written offer after that appointment, so it is based on your actual house, not a guess.

None. We do not charge commissions or fees, and we pay all of the closing costs, including the ones sellers normally pay in Virginia. The only money that comes out of your sale is what you already owe on the house, such as your mortgage balance, liens, or unpaid property taxes. Those are paid off at closing, and we show you exactly what you will walk away with before you sign.

We do. We pay all closing costs, including the seller-side costs such as grantor’s tax and deed preparation. You only pay off what you already owe on the house, such as your mortgage or liens.

A licensed, neutral title company handles the closing. It prepares the paperwork, holds the money, pays off anything you owe on the house, and pays you. We never handle your money directly.

You pick the date. If you need to sell quickly, we move quickly. If you need more time, we work around your schedule.

No. You never pay us anything: not to get an offer, not to sign, and not at closing.

At closing, the title company pays you by check or bank transfer. We will never ask you to wire money to us or pay anything up front.

No. Take what you want and leave the rest. You do not need to clean, haul anything away, or make repairs.

Often, yes. Selling can come with problems that make it hard to close, like needing more time to find your next place or not being able to deal with everything left in the house. Tell us what is in the way. We look at each situation individually, and if there is a way we can help you get past it, we will.

We are not tax advisors, so please talk to a tax professional about your situation.

Yes. Fire, water, or mold damage, hoarding, outdated systems, or a house that needs everything. There is no house we won’t look at, and you don’t have to fix a thing.

Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Hampton, and Newport News. We also invest in the outlying cities of Williamsburg, Yorktown, Poquoson, Franklin, and Cape Charles. If your house is just outside these areas, reach out anyway. We are flexible.

We buy all kinds of property, including land.

Sometimes, depending on the will and the court. Every situation is different. Tell us where things stand, and we will help you find the answers you need to move forward.

Yes. This is exactly the kind of situation we help with. A fast cash sale can often close before a foreclosure date, as long as there is enough time and the numbers work. The sooner you call, the more we can do.

Absolutely. Back taxes, liens, and code violations are common with the houses we buy, and they don’t have to stop your sale. Every situation is different. In most cases, they are settled at closing. We will work through it with you.

Yes. We can buy with tenants in place, and we honor existing leases.

Possibly, as long as the numbers make sense. Tell us what you owe, and we will give you a straight answer.

Yes, we can help. Divorce and shared ownership each come with their own challenges, and every situation is different. We work with everyone involved to reach a sale that works.

Yes, absolutely. Hal is an Active Duty Naval Officer and knows firsthand what a move on short notice involves. We will work around your timeline to help you.

Yes. We work with owners out of state using virtual tools, so distance does not have to get in the way.

Yes. When you sell to People First, we are the buyer at closing.

No. We are investors who buy houses directly from owners, not real estate agents. There is no listing and no commission.

No. We buy your house directly, so it never goes on the MLS and there are no showings.

It is a fair question. There are scams in this business, and you should check out anyone you work with, including us. Here is how: we never ask you for money up front. Every sale closes through a licensed, neutral title company that holds and pays out the money, so we never touch your funds. We can show you proof that the money to buy your house is available. And you can read what past sellers say about us in our Google reviews. Take all the time you need.

No. Take your time and talk it over with your family, an attorney, or an agent. If you decide you want our help, we will be here. We will not pressure you.

No two houses are the same. Sometimes we renovate a house and keep it. Sometimes we renovate it and sell it. Sometimes we pass it to another local investor. It depends on the house. Either way, you sell your house to us, and your price and your obligations stay exactly the same no matter what we do with it afterward.

Never. We will never share or sell your information.

We are Hal and Emmy Jones. Hal is an Active Duty Naval Officer. We started People First House Buyers after working through some hard real estate situations of our own, and we learned how much it helps to have someone honest in your corner. We are a business, and we are upfront that we make a fair profit when we buy a house. But that is not why we started. We do this because we love walking alongside people through difficult seasons and helping them find a way forward. That is what People First means to us.