How To Sell Your Less Than Perfect Home Fast
If you’ve ever watched a home improvement show, you know that fixer uppers are a thing, and if a buyer is looking for a bargain, they should look for the worst house in the best neighborhood. If, however, you’ve taken a look at homes for sale in your neighborhood, it seems that most of them are already fixed up, so how do you sell a house without putting all that money into it?
Get a Good Realtor
If your kitchen is best described as “vintage” and if the house has a charming little lean, you could be at a competitive disadvantage to those who renovated their kitchen and took care of all the home’s defects.
Still, a good Realtor knows how to play up your home’s advantages, while targeting the exact right buyer for your home. Having a fixer upper isn’t necessarily a bad thing, especially if you find a buyer who wants a truly custom property.
Price it Realistically
It’s very unlikely you’re going to sell your less than perfect home for the same price as the comparably sized close to perfect home down the street. In fact, if you set the price too high, you’ll be lucky to have anyone even look at it. If you live in a hot market (and odds are if you’re reading this, you do), price it as a bargain, and let the bidding wars commence.
Fix What You Can
If you can fix the basics, like the plumbing, roof, electrical, etc., buyers are much more open to homes that just need cosmetic work. At the very least, try to bring everything up to code. Get rid of any mold or pest infestations.
Emphasize the Good
If your house has a great fireplace, or lots of windows, dress them up for show. Throw a new coat of paint on the walls to brighten the home up, and make it look clean. Update the landscaping as much as possible. Paint the front door a bright, inviting color.
Be Honest
You want to sell your home despite its flaws, but you don’t want a lawsuit either. Be honest about the flaws, especially if they aren’t visible. Buyers are far less likely to back out of a contract if problems are disclosed before they pay for an inspection.