Facts make democracy stronger. Defend them.
DONATE
Skip to content
ProPublica Donate
ProPublica Donate

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.

The Ugly Truth

Help ProPublica Investigate “We Buy Houses” Practices

If you’ve had experience with a company or buyer promising fast cash for homes, our reporting team wants to hear about it.

by Byard Duncan, Anjeanette Damon and Sarah Smith,

Portrait of Byard Duncan Portrait of Anjeanette Damon Portrait of Sarah Smith

Impact of Our Reporting
Caret

The Ugly Truth

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

HomeVestors franchises will be required to provide prospective home sellers with a disclosure that includes a three-day window to terminate a sales contract.

by Anjeanette Damon and Byard Duncan,

The Ugly Truth

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

David Hicks, CEO of HomeVestors of America, said in a letter announcing his retirement that recent press coverage of the company’s homebuying practices has taken a “personal toll on me.”

by Anjeanette Damon and Byard Duncan,

The Ugly Truth

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

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s head said the Department of Justice and state attorneys general should be made aware of predatory house-flipping practices, following ProPublica reporting on HomeVestors of America.

by Anjeanette Damon, Mollie Simon and Byard Duncan,

8 stories published since 2023

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

by Anjeanette Damon and Mollie Simon,

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

by Anjeanette Damon and Byard Duncan,

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

by Anjeanette Damon,

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,

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

by Byard Duncan and Anjeanette Damon,

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

by Anjeanette Damon, Byard Duncan and Mollie Simon,

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

by Anjeanette Damon, Byard Duncan and Mollie Simon,

The Ugly Truth Behind “We Buy Ugly Houses”

by Anjeanette Damon, Byard Duncan and Mollie Simon,

What We’re Watching

During Donald Trump’s second presidency, ProPublica will focus on the areas most in need of scrutiny. Here are some of the issues our reporters will be watching — and how to get in touch with them securely.

Learn more about our reporting team. We will continue to share our areas of interest as the news develops.

Photo of Sharon Lerner
Sharon Lerner

I cover health and the environment and the agencies that govern them, including the Environmental Protection Agency.

Photo of Andy Kroll
Andy Kroll

I cover justice and the rule of law, including the Justice Department, U.S. attorneys and the courts.

Photo of Melissa Sanchez
Melissa Sanchez

I report on immigration and labor, and I am based in Chicago.

Photo of Jesse Coburn
Jesse Coburn

I cover housing and transportation, including the companies working in those fields and the regulators overseeing them.

If you don’t have a specific tip or story in mind, we could still use your help. Sign up to be a member of our federal worker source network to stay in touch.

We’re trying something new. Was it helpful?

Most Read

    The Trump Administration Leaned on African Countries. The Goal: Get Business for Elon Musk.

    The State Department has intervened on behalf of Musk’s satellite internet company in five developing nations. In Gambia, U.S. diplomats have lobbied and browbeat at least seven government ministers as part of a “maximum pressure” campaign.

    by Joshua Kaplan, Brett Murphy, Justin Elliott and Alex Mierjeski,

    U.S. AG Pam Bondi Sold More than $1 Million in Trump Media Stock the Day Trump Announced Sweeping Tariffs

    Disclosure forms show that Bondi sold between $1 million and $5 million worth of shares on April 2. That day, after the market closed, Trump’s “Liberation Day” press conference sent the market tumbling.

    by Robert Faturechi and Brandon Roberts,

    Musk Adviser May Make as Much as $1 Million a Year While Helping to Dismantle Agency that Regulates Tesla and X

    Records show that Chris Young is simultaneously working as a political adviser to Musk while serving in the Department of Government Efficiency, helping to gut the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

    by Jake Pearson,

    The Ugly Truth

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

    Charles Carrier is accused of orchestrating a yearslong Ponzi scheme, bilking tens of millions of dollars from both wealthy investors and older people with modest incomes. Despite signs of trouble, HomeVestors didn’t intervene.

    by Anjeanette Damon and Mollie Simon,

    Trump Administration Moves to Block the U.S. Travel of Mexican Politicians Who It Says Are Linked to the Drug Trade

    The list of Mexicans who could be targeted for U.S. visa restrictions includes leaders of President Claudia Sheinbaum’s party, state governors and former Cabinet ministers.

    by Tim Golden,