If you found this page after getting a letter or postcard from Backyard Home Buyers, thanks for looking us up. It’s smart to check out anyone who reaches out about your home. This page explains who we are, why you got our mail, and how to stop it if you’d rather not hear from us.
Who is Backyard Home Buyers?
We’re a local, family-owned company that buys houses directly from homeowners in Spokane, Coeur d’Alene and the Tri-Cities. Both owners were born and raised in the Inland Northwest. We’ve been in business since 2019 and have done over 500 deals.
We buy houses as-is for cash. People sell to us when they want a simple, quick sale: an inherited house, a rental they’re tired of managing, a home that needs more repairs than they want to take on, a move on a short timeline, or just wanting to skip the listing process. You can read more about how it works.
How did you get my address?
Property ownership records are public. County assessor and recorder offices list who owns each property, and that information is widely available. Companies like ours use it, along with other publicly available property details such as how long someone has owned a home or whether the owner lives at the property, to decide where to send mail.
Getting a letter doesn’t mean anyone thinks something is wrong with your house, and it doesn’t mean we know anything private about you. Many homeowners in the same neighborhood get the same letter.
Why do companies send these letters?
Most people who might sell their house aren’t ready to call an agent yet, and many don’t know that selling directly is an option. Mail is a simple way to let homeowners know there’s another choice if they ever need it. Some people keep the letter and call later, when their situation changes.
Do I have to do anything?
No. Getting a letter doesn’t obligate you to anything, and you don’t need to respond. If you’re not interested in selling, you can simply recycle it.
How do I stop getting mail from you?
Just let us know. Call (509) 461-9079, or use our contact page, and give us the property address and the name on the letter. We’ll take you off our mailing list. Because mail is often printed weeks ahead, you might get one more piece after you ask. If mail keeps coming after that, please reach out again.
Other companies send similar mail, and we can only remove you from ours. If you’re hearing from several companies, you’ll need to contact each one.
How to tell if a home buying letter is legitimate
Whether it’s from us or anyone else, here’s how to check out a company that contacts you about your house:
- Look them up. Search the company name and read what you find. Do they have a real website, a local presence and reviews from actual sellers?
- Call them. Ask how their process works. Do they answer clearly, or do they dodge and pressure you?
- Watch for pressure. A legitimate buyer won’t rush you or tell you an offer disappears tomorrow.
- Be wary of letters that look official. Mail designed to look like it’s from a government office, your mortgage company or a court, when it isn’t, is a red flag.
- Never pay upfront. A real buyer doesn’t charge you fees to make an offer or to buy your house.
- Use a title company. Legitimate sales close through a licensed title or escrow company that handles the money and paperwork.
- Do they follow through? If they say they’ll call, send something or show up at a certain time, do they?
Our guide on how to vet a cash home buyer goes into more detail.
If you are thinking about selling
If our letter came at a good time, here’s what working with us looks like:
- Tell us about the house. Call or fill out our short form. It takes a few minutes.
- Get your offer. We’ll take a look at the house and you’ll usually have a fair cash offer within 24 hours. In the Tri-Cities, we can often work from photos.
- Pick your closing date. We can close in as little as 7 days, or on the date you choose.
We buy as-is, so you don’t fix or clean anything. There are no fees or commissions, and we pay the closing costs. We buy with tenants in place, and rent-backs are available if you need time to move. There’s never any obligation to accept our offer.
Want to compare your options first? Our post on agent vs. cash buyer lays out the trade-offs honestly.
Questions?
Whether you want an offer, have a question about the letter, or want to be taken off our list, we’re happy to help. Call (509) 461-9079, or reach us through our contact page.