What should you do if you need to sell your house quickly but can’t do substantial renovations because they would be too expensive or time-consuming? In this situation, occupied house sellers have a few alternatives, including selling as-is, making just modest repairs, and concentrating mainly on the major issues most purchasers are worried about.
Continue reading to learn about your choices for quickly selling a property that requires work.
Options for listing a home quickly
Sell house as-is
In your listing, mention “as-is”: If you decide to sell your house “as is,” you won’t have to spend time renovating; the buyer will get exactly what they see. Though the buyer may still want to do an inspection, your agent can establish the assumption that no significant repairs will be made. Naturally, you’ll probably have to accept a lower sale price when you sell a property “as is” than you would if you had made some renovations and upkeep before listing.
Complete a pre-inspection and reveal all issues detected on the inspection report as another way to sell the property as-is. Again, you’ll probably have to reduce your asking price, but your realtor can highlight how fantastic of an opportunity your property is for investors, flippers, or those looking for a fixer-upper.
Complete home improvements
Only focus on the top priorities: Many purchasers are willing to purchase a house that requires some minor repairs. If you’re short on time or money, think about concentrating all your energy on the home renovation projects that are most crucial to the sale’s success. Examples include foundation problems, mold, leaks, or a new furnace (more on these big-ticket items below).
Focus on small aesthetic improvements: Alternatively, you might devote your efforts to the most budget-friendly remodeling concepts. These are categorized as “sprucing up.” They’ll significantly increase your curb appeal, which may influence potential buyers. To learn more, keep reading.
The most important home improvements to complete before listing
Consider addressing the major issues buyers are worried about if you want to sell your house for more than “as-is.” Remember that most purchasers devote a sizeable percentage of their available funds to the down payment, so a house in need of urgent repairs may be out of reach. But if you take care of the upgrades, you might be able to market the house for a higher price, paying for the modifications out of the sale price and attracting more purchasers. You may prevent price decreases after inspections by addressing problem areas right away.
Home improvements worth doing
These are the most common big-ticket items, including some that buyers — and their inspectors — could flag as safety issues:
- Replacing the roof
- Updating the electrical panel
- Installing a new water heater
- Addressing termite, mold, or water damage
- Repairing pipes, sewer connections, or septic system
- Updating the HVAC system
Easy upgrades to sell your house fast
Beyond any critical updates, think about the following easy things to do before selling your house. Many of these items can be tackled over a weekend before putting your house on the market.
- A fresh coat of paint, always in a neutral color
- Caulking in bathrooms and kitchens
- Improving lighting by adding fixtures or replacing bulbs
- Having the carpets professionally cleaned