Hoover, Alabama · Jefferson & Shelby Counties
You don't have to sell to us to get a straight answer.
We buy houses across the Birmingham metro. Before we make an offer, one of our home buying specialists tells you what the house is likely worth on the open market — and if listing it would put more money in your pocket, we say so.
- Your offer
- Written and explained
- Your timeline
- A date agreed together
- No countdown
- Take the time you need
- First visit
- Nothing is signed
Why people call
Almost nobody calls about a house. They call about what happened.
The house is usually the last problem on the list, and the one blocking everything else.
An inherited house
A house in Birmingham, an executor two states away, and taxes and insurance running the whole time.
A separation
When a shared property is part of a change, compare the offer, the timing, and what each option would involve.
Financial pressure
A foreclosure date that won't move, liens, back taxes, or repairs no lender will finance a retail buyer through.
Downsizing
A move to assisted living, a job two states away, or a house that stopped fitting the life inside it.
A rental property
Occupied, behind, or mid-dispute. We buy as it stands and take it from there.
What we pay, and why
Every offer arrives itemised.
Understand the offer before you decide what to do with it.
We consider the house's condition, comparable sales, anticipated project costs, and investment risk. The comparable sales and repair estimate come with the offer so you can review the assumptions.
A repaired home's potential resale value is not the same as its value today, our purchase offer, or the amount you receive at closing. Compare the written terms and any deductions as well as the headline number.
What informs an offer
Factors we consider · not a pricing formula
| Comparable sales | Local market evidence |
|---|---|
| Property condition | Anticipated repairs |
| Project costs and risk | Timing and uncertainty |
| Your purchase offer | Written terms to review |
Repair costs and future resale value are estimates. The written offer sets out the proposed purchase terms; it is not a prediction of what the house will eventually sell for.
How it works
A clear next step, wherever you are in the decision.
You tell us about the property
Start with the address, your name, and a way to reach you. Add condition and timing details if you want to. We don't ask for a social security number, a mortgage balance, or a copy of the deed.
You get the market picture first
What comparable houses nearby actually sold for, and what yours would likely list at as it stands — before any offer, so you can judge ours against something real.
One visit, then the number in writing
About forty minutes. No contractors trailing through, no repeat showings, no staging. The written offer is itemised as above.
You decide, on your schedule
Tell us the date you have in mind. Closing timing depends on the property, title, and agreed terms; a date is confirmed through the agreement. If you would rather list it, we'll tell you who we'd call.
Before you call us
When you should not sell to us.
If the house is in reasonable condition, you're not against a deadline, and you can live with showings for a few weeks — list it. You will very likely net more than we can offer, even after commission.
A direct sale trades potential proceeds for a different process. Compare the preparation, showings, costs, and terms alongside the offer. If the advantages do not matter to you, listing may be the better fit.
You can explore both paths before deciding. Use the selling-options worksheet to put your questions and priorities side by side.
“A buyer who never tells you to walk away is telling you something. We would rather be the one you call back in two years than the one you got talked into today.”
In their words
What three sellers said afterwards.
The first of these is from someone we did not buy from. Published with permission; names withheld at their request.
ProbateAlabaster
“I was referred to Shades Creek by my sister and they were beyond amazing. I could go on for days, to be honest. My mother passed away and left the house to me. Every other buyer was swarming like buzzards and making really high offers. They were very honest that they would never be able to get what the others were offering, but they asked me if the house had been through probate. It hadn’t.”
“They explained that entire process and even got me in touch with the right people to get it started. When it was done I called back, and they still were positive that if the other offers were legitimate I should take them. They explained to me exactly what language to look for. I even called and went over a few offers with them, and they showed me the red flag language that did not match the person’s words.”
“In the end they actually advised me to sell my house with an agent, which is what I did. We are still friends to this day.”
Sold to fund careMount Olive
“I needed to sell my mother’s house in Ensley to keep her in a care facility. Because of insurance requirements we had to get fair market value even though the home wasn’t in fair market condition. They showed me all my options — even that I could fix it up and get more for it if I sold it myself. Somehow they got me what I needed, and my mother gets the care she needs.”
Sold as it stoodThorsby
“I dealt with Shades Creek to sell my house in Thorsby. It was run down and could never pass an inspection, and I needed to move quickly. They didn’t lowball me. They didn’t try to pressure me because of my situation, and they ended up getting me more than what some listed comps sold for at the same time. I would recommend them to anyone.”
Where we buy
Jefferson and Shelby, and the edges of what borders them.
Outside it and you call anyway? We'll say so plainly rather than take the appointment.
Jefferson County
Birmingham · Hoover · Vestavia Hills · Mountain Brook · Homewood · Bessemer · Trussville · Gardendale · Fultondale · Irondale · Center Point · Pleasant Grove
Shelby County
Alabaster · Pelham · Helena · Calera · Chelsea · Columbiana · Montevallo · Indian Springs · Wilsonville
Bordering
The portions of St. Clair, Blount, Walker, Bibb, Chilton and Talladega nearest the metro.
Before you sign
What we tell you, before you sign anything.
We are not the deed holder
Until closing we hold a contract to purchase, not the title.
We may assign that contract
We may purchase directly or assign the purchase contract to another buyer who closes. We disclose the proposed arrangement before you sign. Review who is buying and the conditions in the written agreement.
Take it to someone who works for you
Run the contract past an attorney or an agent you trust. We'll hold the offer while you do.
Our offer is below market, and we show why
The repair estimate and the comparable sales come with it, so you can review the assumptions behind the offer.
You can stop before signing
No fee, no penalty, and no follow-up campaign to unsubscribe from.
Before you decide
Start with your questions.
Can I contact you if I am only comparing options?
Yes. You do not need to have decided to sell. We explain the market picture before making an offer, and you can compare it with listing the property.
Can you consider a house that needs repairs or has a tenant?
Yes. We consider properties needing repairs and occupied rentals. Tell us what you know about the condition and occupancy. An inquiry starts a conversation; the property and proposed terms still need review.
Do I need documents ready for the first inquiry?
No. Start with the address, your name, and a way to reach you. We do not ask for a Social Security number, mortgage balance, or a copy of the deed in this form.
Does a written offer mean I have agreed to sell?
You can review the offer without accepting it. Take the proposed contract to an attorney or agent you trust before signing. The written agreement is where the transaction's commitments and conditions are set out.
How do I compare your offer with listing?
Compare potential proceeds, preparation, timing, and the conditions of each option. A repaired resale estimate is not an offer for your house today. Use our printable comparison worksheet to organize the questions.
Start here
Tell us about the property.
Start with the address, your name, and either phone or email. You do not need to have decided to sell. We will use your details to respond about the property and discuss the next step. Prefer to talk? Call (205) 756-4004.
That has reached us.
Your property inquiry has been saved. We will use the contact information you provided to discuss the property and next steps. Keep the reference below if you call us at (205) 756-4004.
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How your inquiry is handled
Your address and contact details are stored so the team handling your inquiry can respond. The website and email services process these details to deliver the inquiry. Please do not include account numbers, identity documents, or information you do not need to share. For questions about your inquiry, email acquisitions@shadescreekhomebuyers.com.