The Ugly Truth

Inside the “We Buy Ugly Houses” Company

HomeVestors of America claims to be the country’s largest cash homebuyer and says it helps homeowners out of jams. But a closer look reveals that the company trains its franchisees to cash in on homeowners’ desperation.

Impact of Our Reporting

“We Buy Ugly Houses” Company Overhauls Policies in the Wake of ProPublica Investigation

by Anjeanette Damon and Byard Duncan

January 24, 2024, 5:00 am EST

“We Buy Ugly Houses” CEO Steps Down Following ProPublica Investigation

by Anjeanette Damon and Byard Duncan

June 28, 2023, 1:45 pm EDT

Senators, Regulator Call for More Scrutiny of “We Buy Ugly Houses” Company

by Anjeanette Damon, Mollie Simon and Byard Duncan

June 16, 2023, 2:10 pm EDT

12 stories published since 2023

Former “We Buy Ugly Houses” Franchise Owner to Plead Guilty in Fraud Scheme That Cost Investors $40 Million

by Anjeanette Damon and Mollie Simon

May 30, 2025, 3:30 pm EDT
“Incalculable” Damage: How a “We Buy Ugly Houses” Franchise Left a Trail of Financial Wreckage Across Texas

by Anjeanette Damon and Mollie Simon

May 13, 2025, 5:00 am EDT
Homeowners Trying to Get Out of “We Buy Ugly Houses” Deals Find Little Relief in State, Federal Laws

by Anjeanette Damon and Byard Duncan

August 2, 2023, 5:00 am EDT
How One Woman Narrowly Avoided a Bad Deal With a “We Buy Ugly Houses” Franchise

by Anjeanette Damon

July 18, 2023, 10:30 am EDT
HomeVestors Said It Had Kicked Out a Top Franchisee Who Broke the Law. New Evidence Suggests It Didn’t.

by Anjeanette Damon and Byard Duncan

June 30, 2023, 6:00 am EDT
Looking to Sell Your Home for Cash? Read This First.

by Byard Duncan and Anjeanette Damon

May 17, 2023, 5:00 am EDT
Five Stories of Lives Upended After Dealing With the “We Buy Ugly Houses” Company

by Anjeanette Damon, Byard Duncan and Mollie Simon

May 15, 2023, 6:00 am EDT
HomeVestors Praised ProPublica’s Reporting, Then Tried to “Bury It”

by Anjeanette Damon, Byard Duncan and Mollie Simon

May 11, 2023, 6:05 am EDT
The Ugly Truth Behind “We Buy Ugly Houses”

by Anjeanette Damon, Byard Duncan and Mollie Simon

May 11, 2023, 6:00 am EDT
Help ProPublica Investigate “We Buy Houses” Practices

by Byard Duncan, Anjeanette Damon and Sarah Smith

July 19, 2022, 10:00 am EDT

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Impact of Our Reporting

“We Buy Ugly Houses” Company Overhauls Policies in the Wake of ProPublica Investigation

“We Buy Ugly Houses” CEO Steps Down Following ProPublica Investigation

Senators, Regulator Call for More Scrutiny of “We Buy Ugly Houses” Company

Former “We Buy Ugly Houses” Franchise Owner to Plead Guilty in Fraud Scheme That Cost Investors $40 Million

“Incalculable” Damage: How a “We Buy Ugly Houses” Franchise Left a Trail of Financial Wreckage Across Texas

Homeowners Trying to Get Out of “We Buy Ugly Houses” Deals Find Little Relief in State, Federal Laws

How One Woman Narrowly Avoided a Bad Deal With a “We Buy Ugly Houses” Franchise

HomeVestors Said It Had Kicked Out a Top Franchisee Who Broke the Law. New Evidence Suggests It Didn’t.

Looking to Sell Your Home for Cash? Read This First.

Five Stories of Lives Upended After Dealing With the “We Buy Ugly Houses” Company

HomeVestors Praised ProPublica’s Reporting, Then Tried to “Bury It”

The Ugly Truth Behind “We Buy Ugly Houses”

Help ProPublica Investigate “We Buy Houses” Practices

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