Is Tarek Buys Houses legit?

Yes. Tarek El Moussa has been buying houses since 2005 and has been on HGTV since 2013. Tarek Buys Houses has 4.6 stars from 86 Google reviews (Nov 2026), and Tarek is a California licensed real estate salesperson, DRE #01329011, with broker eXp Realty of California, Inc., DRE #01878277.

Can I sell a house with fire, foundation, mold or water damage?

Yes. You can sell the house in the shape it’s in today. Tarek Buys Houses looks at houses with fire, foundation, mold and water damage, and Tarek personally reviews every house. Whether we can make an offer depends on the house.

Will I pay real estate agent commissions or fees if I sell to you?

No. When you sell directly to Tarek Buys Houses, there are no agent commissions, listing fees, or hidden costs.

Will I have to pay for an inspection or appraisal if I sell to you?

No. When you sell to Tarek Buys Houses, we conduct our own property review. You won't pay for any inspections, appraisals, or hidden fees.

When you want. You pick the closing date.

Do I have to clean or fix anything first?

Tell me how it is today. Condition matters to the offer, and we’ll talk about it plainly.

What happens if I have an existing mortgage on my home?

We handle all the details. When we close on your home, we'll work with the title company to ensure your existing mortgage is paid off directly from the sale proceeds, providing you with a clear title.

What if I owe more on my mortgage than my house is worth?

This is called being 'underwater' or having 'negative equity.' While more challenging, we can still explore options like a short sale if your lender agrees. It's crucial to act quickly in these situations. Let's discuss your specific numbers.

Do I need my spouse's agreement to sell to you?

Yes, both parties on the deed must agree to sell the property. We can work with both of you transparently to ensure a fair and equitable process, even if communication is difficult.

What happens to the tenants after I sell to you?

We become the new landlord and will work directly with the tenants. You are completely removed from the situation. You don't need to interact with them after the sale is complete.

On HGTV since 2013

We buy houses directly

Fire, foundation, mold or water damage?

Tell us about your house, whatever shape it’s in.

No fees
No commissions
Close when you want

Call (775) 310-7057 Text us

houses bought: 1,000+houses bought
86 Google reviews · Nov 2026: 4.686 Google reviewsNov 2026
buying houses since: 2005buying houses since

Sellers who’ve been there

In their own words.

4.686 reviews · Nov 2026

“My grandmother had lived in her home for over 50 years.”
Samuel C.Garden Grove, CA
“The offer was exactly what we wanted to hear.”
Brandi S.Running Springs, CA
Angie M.Charlotte, NC
Keith M.Oklahoma
RachelSanta Ana, CA
SaraCovina, CA
“The entire experience with Tarek’s team was amazingly simple.”
Paul F.Hacienda Heights, CA
Diane & Kim

Google review
“I can start a fresh new life. So thankful”
“I really needed someone to buy my house as quick as possible for the best price possible for my circumstances.”
Read the full review
“Like so many others in America right now I was struggling with the loss of my family and loss of my job of 16 years. … I really needed someone to buy my house as quick as possible for the best price possible for my circumstances. … I can start a fresh new life. So thankful”
Robin L.Oxnard, CA
Google review
“…made it so easy and stress free for her…”
“My grandmother needed to sell her house she could no longer take care of it in a fixed income.”
Read the full review
“My grandmother needed to sell her house she could no longer take care of it in a fixed income. She lived in it 50 years! … made it so easy and stress free for her …”
Samuel C.Garden Grove, CA
Google review
“Alex never pressured me…”
“Alex never pressured me and always made himself available with a welcoming demeanor.”
Read the full review
“Alex never pressured me and always made himself available with a welcoming demeanor. … My parents designed and built this house themselves 51 years ago, being my childhood home made the process an emotional one.”
Paul F.Hacienda Heights, CA
Google review
“From start to finish it was effortless”
“We were overwhelmed with the work to be done so we contacted TBH.”
Read the full review
“The tenants had been there 23 years and left it in a "sorry" state. We were overwhelmed with the work to be done so we contacted TBH. … From start to finish it was effortless.”
Laurie L.Los Alamitos, CA

Read all 86 on Google

Real reviews, quoted as written and shortened only where you see “…”. Every situation is different, and our offers are typically below market value.

“If something happened with your home and you’re worried about being judged, don’t be.”
Tarek El Moussa

What to expect

You set the pace.

A conversation starts a review. It doesn’t commit you to a sale.

1
Tell me what’s happening
What you know is enough. Leave out what you don’t.
2
I personally review every house
Before we talk about any numbers.
3
You decide
If I can’t help, I’ll say so plainly, and I can connect you with an agent who can.

Tarek El Moussa checking a wall during a renovation — On HGTV

As seen on

Who you’d be talking to

On HGTV since 2013. Buying houses since 2005.

Tarek, in his own words · 24 seconds · captions on screen

Read what Tarek says

“Hey guys, Tarek here. If your home feels like it’s too much to deal with right now, you’re not alone. It’s happening all over the country. At Tarek Buys Houses we help homeowners get clarity, get options, without the stress and the pressure. You probably see me buying, fixing and selling on HGTV, where I have helped thousands of people get out of really tough situations.”

Before
After

A house Tarek Buys Houses bought

His shows on

Step 1 of 3

Where’s the house?

Tarek El Moussa shaking hands outside a house

Street address of the house

Nothing is sent until you press Send. Your answers are saved on this phone so you can finish later.

You can just call. Call (775) 310-7057

Real houses. Real situations.

Sellers we’ve closed with.

MonroviaInherited houseCalifornia · Closed Nov 2026
CerritosCalifornia · Closed Oct 2026
La QuintaDownsizingCalifornia · Closed Oct 2026
Los AngelesCalifornia · Closed Oct 2026
TucsonArizona · Closed Sep 2026
AnaheimInherited houseCalifornia · Closed Sep 2026
HemetRepairs & damageCalifornia · Closed May 2026
ModestoFinancial hardshipCalifornia · Closed Mar 2026
BakersfieldInherited houseCalifornia · Closed Mar 2026

From Tarek Buys Houses’ closed-deal records. City and month only, to protect each seller’s privacy.

Your choices, plainly

Selling to me is one path. Here are the main ones.

Talk with a housing counselor or attorney

If you’re not sure a sale is the right move.

List it with an agent

Can bring a higher price if there’s time to prepare it.

Sell it to me directly

No fees, no commissions, and you close when you want. Whether I can make an offer depends on the house.

Call Tarek’s team(775) 310-7057

We buy houses directly. Our offers are typically below market value. You deserve to understand the tradeoffs before deciding.

Check me out first

Ready when you are.

Call or text whenever it suits you. Talking doesn’t commit you to anything.

No fees
No commissions
Close when you want

Call Tarek’s team(775) 310-7057

Or text us instead

Tarek El Moussa · Founder, Tarek Buys Houses · HGTV host

Seller TV

Free guides for homeowners.

Short videos on your options. Each guide is AI-generated and voiced by an AI host, not by Tarek.

Behind on your mortgage? Your real optionsAI-generated guide · 1:29
Foreclosure scams: 4 red flagsAI-generated guide · 0:26

Read both guides

Behind on your mortgage? Your real options

If you are behind on your mortgage right now, I need you to listen. You have more options than the bank wants you to think. Foreclosure is a process, not an event. The bank takes legal steps to recover the loan. That timeline is your window. California takes almost four months minimum, Texas about six weeks, and Florida goes through court, so it usually takes much longer. You have to know which clock is running. In the first quarter of 2026, almost 119,000 homes got a foreclosure filing. That’s up 26% from last year. And you are not alone in this. Option one, reinstatement: pay the past due amount in full. If you have 10,000 sitting in savings, do this today. Option two, loan modification: banks do not want your house. Call your servicer’s loss mitigation department today. Option three, forbearance: pause the payments temporarily. But after, your payment goes up. If you can’t make the original, this won’t save you. Option four, Chapter 13 bankruptcy: can pause the auction while your case is open, but destroys credit for seven years. The nuclear option, use it last. Option five, short sale: you owe more than the house is worth. Bank approval can take six months. Your auction will not wait that long. Option six, list with an agent: 45 to 90 days to close, 6% commission. If you have time and the house is ready, this works. Real talk: do not sell for cash if you have time and your house is move-in ready. List it. Get the higher price. We are for emergencies.

Foreclosure scams: 4 red flags

When the notice goes public, your mailbox fills with predators. Real cash buyers do not charge upfront fees. Period. Four red flags: upfront fees, signing over the deed, guarantees, pressure to sign now. Run from any of these. Real talk: do not sell for cash if you have time and your house is move-in ready. List it. Get the higher price. We are for emergencies.

Questions sellers ask

Is Tarek Buys Houses legit?: Yes. Tarek El Moussa has been buying houses since 2005 and has been on HGTV since 2013. Tarek Buys Houses has 4.6 stars from 86 Google reviews (Nov 2026), and Tarek is a California licensed real estate salesperson, DRE #01329011, with broker eXp Realty of California, Inc., DRE #01878277.
Can I sell a house with fire, foundation, mold or water damage?: Yes. You can sell the house in the shape it’s in today. Tarek Buys Houses looks at houses with fire, foundation, mold and water damage, and Tarek personally reviews every house. Whether we can make an offer depends on the house.
Will I pay real estate agent commissions or fees if I sell to you?: No. When you sell directly to Tarek Buys Houses, there are no agent commissions, listing fees, or hidden costs.
Will I have to pay for an inspection or appraisal if I sell to you?: No. When you sell to Tarek Buys Houses, we conduct our own property review. You won't pay for any inspections, appraisals, or hidden fees.
When would I close?: When you want. You pick the closing date.
Do I have to clean or fix anything first?: Tell me how it is today. Condition matters to the offer, and we’ll talk about it plainly.
What happens if I have an existing mortgage on my home?: We handle all the details. When we close on your home, we'll work with the title company to ensure your existing mortgage is paid off directly from the sale proceeds, providing you with a clear title.
What if I owe more on my mortgage than my house is worth?: This is called being 'underwater' or having 'negative equity.' While more challenging, we can still explore options like a short sale if your lender agrees. It's crucial to act quickly in these situations. Let's discuss your specific numbers.
Do I need my spouse's agreement to sell to you?: Yes, both parties on the deed must agree to sell the property. We can work with both of you transparently to ensure a fair and equitable process, even if communication is difficult.
What happens to the tenants after I sell to you?: We become the new landlord and will work directly with the tenants. You are completely removed from the situation. You don't need to interact with them after the sale is complete.

Or start with the address