Selling a property that is not in the best shape when your time and budget are limited can be tricky. How to get the best price, as fast as possible, and with minimum investment?
There are several options if you are selling a fixer-upper. You can either sell it without any repairs, which will significantly affect your price. However, with a little effort, there are simple things you can do to avoid major costs and quickly whip it into shape for a better sale.
Get the External Price Evaluation
First of all, don’t think that your home isn’t valuable if it looks a bit shabby.
Actually, in a lot of cases, fixer-uppers are exactly what investors are looking for. They want a quality property they can quickly bring into shape and then resell for much more than what they had invested.
So, in order to avoid misevaluation, it is always best to ask professionals to do the price estimation. That way you can be sure about what you are offering, and no one can argue with that price.
To get the best and most accurate estimation, you can hire a real estate agent. A cheaper option is to use some free online estimators.
Finally, you can simply discuss it with a friend, just to get an outsider’s perspective.
Declutter and Clean Inside and Outside
Looking at major disrepairs of their properties, some sellers give up on even what they can do.
So, if the new owner will have to deal with some major issues such as water damage or roof repair, that doesn’t mean you can’t clean up the place and wash the windows.
If a place can’t be perfect, it doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be neat. According to some real estate agents, sellers who tidy their properties before the sale get up to $2,000 more.
You can roll up your sleeves and do the cleaning yourself, or hire a cleaning lady.
In any case, make sure there is no waste and dirt, weeds, or unpleasant smells. Make sure to mow the grass and fix up the entry gate/door.
Also, mattresses need special attention too. If they are old, they can be sources of dust, bad smells, and even germs, so it’s better to take them out. If they are too big and heavy, and you don’t know how to dispose of a mattress, there is probably local trash or even mattress disposal service in the neighborhood you can call.
Hire a Professional Photographer
As much as we would like to stay rational, humans are visual beings. So, since you will most probably advertise your property online, you want it to look well in the pictures.
Therefore, hiring a professional photographer can be a great trick to get good images for your ad and appeal to buyers.
To begin with, the photographers will have a much better camera than the average mobile phone. So, the pictures will be in a much better resolution. Additionally, they will know which angles to shoot from, in which light, etc.
In such a way, they are able to capture the best characteristics of the property, and perhaps cover the downsides.
Do the Small Fixes You Can Afford
Hiring a handyman before selling your property is a smart investment. It’s because the experience shows that the expense pays off very well. The buyer will be more than happy to pay more for a property and not bother with little fixes later.
Therefore, make sure to:
- patch nail holes
- clean the stain from the bathroom and kitchen
- fix squeaky hinges
- remove stained carpets, etc.
- Finally, don’t forget the power of neutral decoration. The new paint on the walls looks and smells well.
Also, adding a houseplant here and there doesn’t have any obvious effect on the price, but it adds to the homey atmosphere of the space. And buyers will remember if the overall mood of the place was fresh and cozy.
Highlight the Property’s Advantages
Even if you are unable to make the place shine, don’t forget to point out its top advantages.
For example, the buyer might be particularly interested in the quality of the neighborhood. What good is buying even a perfect house if it isn’t safe to walk in the streets?
Also, how far away is your property from important facilities, such as hospitals, kindergartens, and schools? If a family chooses between a home that needs repairs but is close to the school and a home that is further away, you can guess what their choice will be.
Therefore, make sure to point out whatever you think your buyer’s priorities are.
Furthermore, some buyers take into consideration the proximity to nature. Is there a park or a forest with hiking/jogging trails? It can be a deal-breaker for people who work from home, for example.
Public transportation, famous tourist attractions, and entertainment sites are some of the other factors you might want to mention.
Considering the interior advantages, you should call special attention to some top-quality amenities such as porch, hardwood floors, or energy-saving lighting.
Selling a House As Is: How to Skip Repairs and Move On!
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