If you have repairs large or small that need to be completed on your home before listing, this might be a challenge. Looking at houses already on the market, it may feel like you have no options, and a repair list a mile long. However, there are a few secrets to selling a house that needs repairs – and we’re here to give you the answers.
How Much Love Does Your House Need?
Be realistic about how much attention your house needs. Do you need a new roof, or can you simply replace a few missing shingles? What about the condition of your driveway, or the walkway to your front door? The exterior and curb appeal is the first impression potential buyers will have of your house, so you want to make sure that the outside looks in good repair.
If you are selling a house that needs repairs real fast, you’ll probably be paying a premium for the work that needs to be done, and, depending on the project, you may not have the time or the budget.
Be Realistic About the Selling Price
A seasoned realtor can give you a pretty solid estimate of what your home will fetch, taking into account its location, the repairs needed, the school district, and proximity to the city center or large employers.
If your house isn’t in the best shape, then you’ll have to be realistic about what it will sell for. Buyers typically want a move-in ready home and not one that they’ll have to start fixing before they finish unpacking.
Showcase Your Home’s Features
When selling a house that needs repairs be sure to accentuate the features that make it special in the listing. For example, if your home is positioned to get lots of natural light or has large windows, emphasize those, preferably with photos. Your location matters, too, so if you’re in a cul-de-sac, or if there is a local school nearby, make sure to mention it. Other special things that buyers look for include a swimming pool, large closets, plenty of counter space in the kitchen, and a nice master suite. Many of these features may make up for any needed repairs.
Small Changes Make a Big Difference
Even a few small repairs or upgrades can make a huge difference in your home’s appearance. Plus, if you replace the roof, install a new heating and cooling system, or upgrade the bathrooms, you can list those as features to attract buyers.
Even a simple coat of paint on the interior walls and power-washing the exterior can go a long way to elevating the appearace of your house. Refinishing the cabinets in the kitchen is another siple upgrade and one that many people can do on their own.
While you may not have money in your budget to fix everything around the house, you can select one or two projects that improve the home.
Small fixes, like caulking or fixing broken doors, just make sense when lisitng a home. Other things, like replacing damaged window screens or checking the seals along doors and windows, are more ways to make small fixes that don’t add up to big dollars.
Go After Non-Traditional Buyers
What is a non-traditional buyer? There are a couple different kinds. The first is someone who wants a fixer-upper, someone who plans to removate the house according to their own taste and lifestyle and doesn’t mind that it’s not in the best condition. These buyers will typically make a fair offer, taking into account how much their budget for improvements and repairs is. However, most people that are buying a house for themselves want it move-in ready.
The other non-traditional buyer is an all-cash investor. These investors, or groups of investors, have their own financing and don’t depend on mortgage loans from a bank to purchase a house. Investors like WeBuyHouse will purchase your home as-is, no matter what condition. You can except a fair price for your home, and can close fast, without waiting for a loan approval.
If you need to sell your home fast, contact WeBuyHouse today for a free, no-obligation quote. We can go from making an offer to closing in all cash in as little as a week.
Dyan Zammataro | Sep 2, 2020
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