Meet Justin Herrema
Helping West Michigan homeowners make confident selling decisions with honest advice, fair cash offers, and traditional listing options.
We're Justin & Dawn Herrema — born and raised in West Michigan, raising our four boys and three girls right here in the community we serve. As a Grand Rapids Realtor® and Certified Estate Buyer, Justin provides homeowners with a transparent, side-by-side evaluation of their property. Whether you need a fast as-is cash sale or want maximum value on the open market, Justin gives you both numbers so you can choose what works best for your situation.
Why I Started True Cash Buyer
“We are Justin & Dawn Herrema, born and raised in West Michigan. Together with our four boys and three girls, we fix up properties and make them shine again.”
That’s not a tagline. That’s who we are. We’re not a national franchise with a 1-800 number and a call center in another state. We’re a local family that lives here, works here, and cares about the communities we serve across West Michigan.
Justin & 3 of His Sons
Working together on a West Michigan flip project
Dawn at Work
Installing trim on a Grand Rapids fixer-upper
When you call most “we buy houses” companies, you’re reaching an out-of-state operation that flips your lead to the highest bidder. They’ve never walked your neighborhood. They don’t know the difference between East Grand Rapids and Grandville. They don’t care about your family’s situation — they just want a signed contract at the lowest possible price.
I saw that happen to too many of my neighbors, and it didn’t sit right with me.
Homeowners in Grand Rapids and the surrounding communities deserve to work with someone who actually lives here, understands the local market, and will give them an honest answer — even when that answer is, “You’d be better off listing this on the market.”
So I built True Cash Buyer differently. As a licensed Michigan Realtor® through Five Star Real Estate Leaders and a Certified Estate Buyer through Mom’s House, I can give you both options — a fair cash offer and a realistic market listing estimate — and let you decide. No pressure, no gimmicks, no out-of-state middlemen. Just a local family helping West Michigan families move forward.
Family Teamwork
One of the boys pitching in on prep work
Making It Shine Again
The finishing touches that turn a house back into a home
The Problem With One-Size-Fits-All Real Estate
Most real estate professionals only offer one tool because that is how their business model is built. True Cash Buyer gives you the freedom to choose.
Traditional Realtor
Only offers to list your home on the MLS for a commission. Requires repairs, staging, cleanout, open houses, and 60-90+ days to close.
Traditional Cash Buyer
Only wants to buy your home directly at a discount. Pushes high-pressure sales tactics and won’t tell you what the home could bring on the open market.
Justin Herrema
Provides both a fair direct cash purchase offer AND an honest market listing strategy. Gives you transparent numbers and total control over your choice.
Local Family vs. National Wholesaler
There’s a big difference between working with a West Michigan family and dealing with a national call center. Here’s why it matters.
National Wholesalers & Investors
- ✗Out-of-state call centers — you’ll never meet the person buying your home
- ✗One option only: a discounted cash offer, often well below market value
- ✗No real estate license, no fiduciary duty, no obligation to act in your best interest
- ✗High-pressure tactics designed to lock you into a contract fast
- ✗Won’t tell you what your home could sell for on the open market
- ✗No investment in the local community — profits leave West Michigan
Justin & Dawn Herrema
- Local family — born and raised in West Michigan, meeting you face-to-face
- Two options: a fair cash offer and a realistic market listing estimate
- Licensed Michigan Realtor® with a fiduciary duty to act in your best interest
- Zero pressure — we give you both numbers and let you decide
- Full transparency on what your home is worth on the open market
- We live here, we raise our family here, and we reinvest in our community
When you work with us, you’re not a transaction number in a spreadsheet. You’re a neighbor. And we treat every homeowner the way we’d want our own family treated — with honesty, respect, and a real choice.
What Makes My Approach Different
“Get Both Numbers Before You Decide”
When we meet to evaluate your property, you won’t be subjected to a pitch. Instead, we perform a comprehensive assessment of your property’s condition, neighborhood comps in Grand Rapids or West Michigan, and your personal timeline goals.
A Real Cash Offer
A firm direct cash purchase number with no repairs required, no cleaning out belongings, zero realtor commissions, and your choice of closing date.
A Realistic Listing Estimate
A data-driven estimate of what your home could sell for on the open MLS market, including recommended prep steps and expected net seller proceeds.
Having both numbers side-by-side allows you to compare speed and convenience against maximum financial return. There is zero obligation, zero pressure, and no cost to receive both options.
Experience You Can Count On
Grounding every client interaction in licensing standards, specialized education, and deep local market expertise.
Licensed Michigan Realtor®
Licensed through Five Star Real Estate Leaders in Grandville, MI. Bound by strict fiduciary duties, professional standards, and ethical codes to always act in your best interest.
Certified Estate Buyer
Specialized training through Mom’s House focused explicitly on senior transitions, estate home sales, inherited properties, and compassionate care for families navigating probate.
West Michigan Market Knowledge
In-depth familiarity with micro-market trends in Grand Rapids, Kent County, Ottawa County, Muskegon County, and surrounding communities ensure accurate property valuations.
Specialized Transition Support
Extensive practical experience guiding families through probate, divorce settlements, tenant-occupied rentals, major repair properties, and imminent foreclosure timelines.
What Matters Most
The core principles that guide every property evaluation and homeowner conversation at True Cash Buyer.
Honesty & Transparency
We show you the exact numbers and calculations behind both a cash offer and a realistic market listing estimate.
Respect & Compassion
Real estate transitions often involve personal loss, stress, or change. We treat every situation with patience and privacy.
Fair & Realistic Offers
No lowball gimmicks or inflated promises. Our offers reflect real market conditions and fair value.
Clear Communication
You'll never wonder what comes next. We keep you informed at every step of the process with direct updates.
Local Relationships
As a West Michigan native, Justin cares deeply about the Grand Rapids community and the neighbors we serve.
Creative Problem Solving
Every property and family situation is unique. We tailor our guidance to your timeline, finances, and personal goals.
Proudly Serving West Michigan
Justin provides local cash buying and professional MLS listing services across Grand Rapids and surrounding communities.
Don’t see your municipality listed? If your property is located within West Michigan, Justin can help. View all locations served →
Our Mission
The real estate industry often forces homeowners toward one rigid solution. Traditional agents assume every house should be listed, while cash buyers insist on immediate cash deals.
True Cash Buyer was built to eliminate that ultimatum and empower homeowners with clear options.
Whether a cash purchase or an open-market listing makes the most sense for your timeline and wallet, our goal is to provide honest, transparent facts so you can make the absolute best decision for your family.
“We’ll give you both numbers, explain your options, and let you decide.”