Selling a house in poor condition may seem impossible, but we promise, it’s not!
However, there are a few key points you need to keep in mind when selling a home “as is.”
Whether time or finances are a factor, some people just need to get out of their house and house payment.
Unfortunately, not everyone has the time or money to get their house up to the standards of what most buyers are looking for. It’s okay!
Selling a house in poor condition is possible, just check out our top 8 tips!
Be Honest in the Ad Description
First, when marketing your home, you need to be 100% upfront with potential buyers.
People who are willing to buy a home “as is” know the home will require some work. However, most of them also want to know what they’re getting into ahead of time.
Don’t be surprised if they hire a home inspector to evaluate the home before they buy. If any major issues come up that you tried to hide or be dishonest about, it will likely scare them away.
In their mind, if you were dishonest about that, what else might you have been dishonest about?
Honesty is always the best policy. And remember, people in the market for a project know it will be one. You can sell your house “as-is.”
Be Reasonable About the Price
Be honest in your ad description also means you need to be honest with yourself.
If the homes in your area of relative size are selling for $200,000 but yours needs a new roof and new siding, expect to knock $30-50k off your price, or no one will take a second look at it.
Selling a house in poor condition means the buyer will need to put in the money to make repairs and renovations. They’re not going to want to pay more than the house is worth, then pay for all the renovations needed.
Be reasonable when deciding upon the price of your home. Evaluate what work needs to be done, what work you’re willing to do, and what the buyer will need to put into it.
Curb Appeal is Your Best Friend When Selling a House in Poor Condition
When selling a house in poor condition, it’s necessary to make it look as appealing as possible. You don’t want people working too hard to imagine what it could be.
Start with curb appeal. This is where you can make a big difference with little to no money. In fact, studies have shown that good curb appeal can affect up to a 12% difference in selling price.
Clean up the yard of any trash, debris or clutter. Trim back overgrown trees, shrubbery, bushes, etc. Mow the lawn and keep the grass short.
Pull weeds, plant flowers, and add some colored mulch for some decor. Mulch is very cheap and easy to use.
Finally, keep the lawn watered so that the yard looks fresh and inviting. Make the first impression a good one.
People like driving up to a home and imagining what it would be like to come home after work or after a day out with the family. Take advantage value of exterior aesthetics.
Clean, Clean, Clean
You may not be willing to put in all the time and money necessary to repair and renovate when selling a house in poor condition, but you can clean it.
In fact, clean homes sell faster, even homes selling “as is.”
Regardless of what repairs are needed, a home on the market will make a much better impression on buyers if it’s well cleaned.
Imagine walking into a house for sale. You walk in and there’s trash, dirt, and grime everywhere. On the other hand, imagine walking in and finding sparkling floors, clean carpets, and sterile looking bathrooms.
Again, even when selling a house in poor condition, cleanliness goes a long way.
Make the Small, Inexpensive Repairs and Renovations
While selling a home “as-is” means you aren’t willing or able to make big repairs or renovations, the little things still count. You will be able to sell a house needing repairs.
For example, holes in walls, doors hanging off hinges, faded paint, poorly sealed showers, and tubs, and backed up sinks are all cheap and easy fixes you can make.
A fresh coat of interior and exterior paint can really brighten up a home and make things feel fresh and clean. Just make sure you aren’t painting over any rotting wood or chipping paint or it will just cause more problems down the road.
You won’t necessarily be able to jack the price up on the home, however, it will make a better impression on potential buyers.
Make the Home’s Unique Features Stand Out
Even when homes are broken down and in need of serious repair and renovation, they still have unique features that make them stand out. These features show the character and potential of your home.
When selling a house in poor condition, all of its positive selling points must be highlighted.
Old homes with built-in hutches, arching doorways, double doors, and interesting nooks and crannies have a lot of unique and charming character that many new homes don’t offer today.
If the home has an exceptionally large yard or sits on a creak, showcase the outdoor benefits the home boasts.
Market to the Right Demographic
There are a variety of people you may attract when selling a house in poor condition.
Depending on your neighborhood, your house totally upgraded, renovated, and repaired may be quite valuable. This is where the house-flippers come in.
Just like the popular TV shows, house-flippers buy a house at a much lower value, put in thousands of dollars worth of repairs and upgrades, then sell the house for much more than they bought it for and put into it.
If you have the financing, it’s a great way to make money, though it takes a lot of work and some starting cash.
Next, you have the people who have enough money to buy any house they want but are interested in yours for its features and location. These people have no problem picking up your house for a lower cost and putting in their own time and money to fix it up.
Finally, there are people who have a limited budget and are willing to take a home “as-is” and make repairs and renovations bit by bit. Generally, though, the house needs to be liveable in this scenario.
Sell Your House Fast
Bonnie Buys Houses Fast will buy your home quickly and treat you fairly, regardless of what the situation is! Selling a house in poor condition is no problem!
Seriously, contact us to see what we can do for you, or just check out some happy customer testimonials!
Good luck, we hope to hear from you!
