11 Things to Do When Selling a Fixer-Upper
Sometimes sellers need to offload their home as-is; when you have a fixer-upper on your hands that you need to sell, do it in a way that nets you the best dollar amount possible while avoiding lingering on the market.
1. Thoroughly assess the situation
Do a full inventory of what needs to be done before the house could be considered sales-worthy
You won’t do all this work yourself, but you should be able to answer buyer questions at least
Price those repairs
2. Do your research before deciding to sell as-is
Would it be worth making the repairs yourself?
Could you tap into a refinancing program?
What about a home equity loan or line of credit?
3. Work with an experienced agent
Selling a fixer-upper is not a good time to work with a brand-new agent
Find someone familiar with the challenges involved and a realistic, reasonable plan
Get referrals from friends, neighbors, general contractors
4. Consider the pool of possible buyers
You might find some buyers specifically seeking a house they can remodel
Investors and contractors might also be possibilities
5. Highlight the location's benefits ...
Is it in a stellar school district?
Is it located near an interesting or prominent landmark?
Is it within walking distance of a sports field or arena?
Is it near a natural resource or trailhead?
6. ... And promote the home's standout features
Original flooring in great condition
A larger-than-usual lot
A gorgeous garden or backyard
A quaint original kitchen
Anything that sets your home apart in a good way
7. Spit and polish goes a long way
There’s a lot you can do to make your place appear presentable and attractive
Get rid of any piles of trash, broken appliances, cars
Clean the windows and walls
Eliminate cobwebs
Scrub the floors
Polish all appliances
Remove drain clogs
8. Make as many small fixes as possible
Repair leaky pipes
Paint over water stains
Replace torn screens
Fix broken drawers and shelves
Fix broken windows
9. Enhance curb appeal
Water and mow the lawn
Plant flowers
Hang wind chimes and put out some rocking chairs
Purchase solar lights for path or driveway
Trim shrubs or trees
Fertilize grass
10. Price competitively - THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP!
Get an experienced agent’s opinion
Investors and buyers will want to get a deal for an as-is home
Figure out what you can realistically expect
11. Be upfront about necessary work
There will probably be an inspection
Be honest if the buyer asks you a question
Consider hiring an inspector before you list so there are fewer surprises
