There are times when you need to sell your house as soon as possible, and doing a ton of repairs just isn’t an option. Many homes have a few areas that could use some sprucing up, but major repairs can be a major drain on your budget and time frame for a major move. If doing extensive repairs just isn’t in the picture, you still have several options for selling your home fairly and at a good price. As you go through these options for selling your house, think about how each one could affect your home’s ability to appeal to buyers while also fitting into your moving plans.
List Your House “As-Is”
This is perhaps the simplest option, but you will have to accept that you’ll likely get lower offers than you would if you did some of the repairs. Including the term “as-is” in the listing makes it clear that the house has a few areas that need to be fixed but that you are not interested in doing any of the work. Depending upon the problem, some buyers might be fine with this. For example, many people like putting in new floors or renovating a kitchen. If your home’s needs fall within areas that people might care strongly about doing after they buy the house anyway, then selling as-is might be your best option.
Create a Full Disclosure List
If selling a house that has unknown problems leaves you feeling apprehensive, then you can take the extra step of arranging for an inspection. Once you know all of the problems, then you can disclose them to any interested buyers. While listing all of the problems might deter some home buyers, house flippers and investors often appreciate this courtesy. They may choose your home over others in the area when they can see exactly what types of work they’ll need to plan for. This is often the best way to sell a home as-is when there are major issues that you feel dishonest for not disclosing.
Fix the Minor Things
A fresh coat of paint, repairing a sticky door, and patching up holes in the walls can all go a long way toward making an impression on buyers. If you don’t have a lot of time, then focusing on the surface can show a buyer that you’ve put effort into the home. When they see that the majority of the house isn’t all that bad, then they may be willing to accept the need to redo the flooring in a few rooms or put in a new bathtub.
Tackle the Biggest Issues
However, some home repairs are more likely to be off-putting to buyers. For example, a badly damaged roof makes buyers think that there could be water damage lurking beneath the surface. Foundation problems are another area that raises questions about the stability of the home. If you have some time, then fixing the big-ticket problems could be worth the extra effort.
If you have a fixer-upper, then you can rest assured that all is not lost. Making a few minor changes such as cleaning the floors and re-caulking the bathroom doesn’t take long. Once you’ve fixed what you can, price your home appropriately, and put it on the market. The right buyer is out there just waiting to find your diamond in the rough.
