Selling your house can be a lot of work, especially if the house needs a lot of work. Whether you’re selling your childhood home or some property you own, you need to make sure it’s in the best condition before you sell it. If you’re planning on selling your house that needs repairs, but don’t know where to start, you’ve come to the right place. Here are 7 useful tips on how to sell your fixer-upper house and get it off your hands the right way!
1. Assess the damage
Contents
To make the sale, you need to tidy up a few things first. To do that, you need to assess the damage and figure out what your next move is. Whether your home was damaged by natural or unnatural causes, if you’re considering selling, damage assessment is key. Create a list of potential issues and organize them according to the severity of the damage or need. Once you’ve gotten your bearings, you can get to work planning out your repairs and getting to them one by one.
2. Get an inspection
If you feel that you’re not capable of assessing the full extent of the damages, it might be time to call in a professional. Save yourself some time trying to figure out what needs fixing and what doesn’t by calling in an inspector to get a look at the place. Their professional opinion will help set you on the right track. You can use your valuable time to start working on the project or looking for buyers.
3. Fix the essentials first
Whatever state your house is in, it will be much easier to sell if it has the essentials. Doing some research into what most new homeowners want is a good way to figure out what to fix first. If your house is in a critical state and you’re short on cash, don’t waste time and money on aesthetics and upgrades. Focus on equipping the house with the bare essentials, and it will be more likely to sell.
4. Clean up the place
If the house in question is in a rough state, the easiest way to give it a fighting chance at being sold is to tidy it up. Once you’re done with the repairs, begin a detailed cleaning and decluttering process to make the house look as good as possible. Clear out any garbage, waste, or rubble, and remember to dispose of the clutter in a safe and conscious way. A clean fixer-upper is bound to be more appealing than a messy one, so be sure to clean up!
5. Boost your curb appeal
Even if your house is not in the best shape, a good-looking outside will help potential buyers forgive what’s lacking on the inside. If possible, before listing your house, make an effort to make it look good from the outside. Give it some curb appeal with a fresh coat of paint, a well-manicured lawn, or a nice pathway.
6. Price realistically
When selling your fixer-upper house, pricing is integral to your success! The key to making a sale with a house that needs major repairs is to price it fairly and reasonably. It can be tempting to overprice the house to make up for the money you spend on it, but this can drive away buyers. Plan your repairs so that when you sell your house, you don’t lose a lot of money, and you can price it fair and square.
7. Focus on the positive marketing
Although marketing honestly is the best policy when selling a damaged house, that doesn’t mean you can’t market it in a positive light. Even if you’re selling your home in less than perfect condition, that doesn’t mean that it isn’t an asset. Make sure to highlight any and all positive attributes of the house. Potential buyers are looking for positives in property, so make sure to give them something to work with.
So there you have it! Selling your damaged home takes a lot of hard work and skill, but with the right pointers, anything is possible. When selling a home that needs major repairs, your first step is to make a plan and assess the damage. Get an inspector if you’re not confident or want a second opinion, and get to work! Focus on the essentials, and try to provide the bare minimum of what a potential buyer would want.
Don’t forget to clean up the mess and to work on the outside before you list your house! Good planning and realistic pricing are crucial if you want to get your fixer-upper house off your hands. When marketing your home, be honest with potential buyers, but don’t forget to highlight the positives! With these 7 simple tips, you’ll be ready to sell your house in working progress in no time!
