6 Steps To Sell Your House Without Making Any Repairs
By Space Coast Daily // October 14, 2020
So, you have decided it’s time to put your home on the market, but it’s in less than perfect condition. No worries—there are buyers out there who are ready to turn your fixer-upper into their next big project. However, it’s still important that you present your home in just the right way.
Whatever you decide, here are seven steps to take when selling your home without having to do any repairs:
Step 1: Strengthen Its Curb Appeal
What’s the first impression that people get when they pull up to your house? If the answer is not good, it’s time to strengthen its curb appeal. This doesn’t mean you need to spend lots of money either. Begin by mowing the lawn, getting rid of weeds, and cutting down branches that block the view out of your windows.
Add some mulch and some flowers, and you can really make a difference in how it looks. One day’s worth of work can translate into big money. According to a study conducted by Texas Tech University in 2012, the curb appeal of a home has a direct effect on the price it will sell at, to the tune of impacting its value by 12%.
Step 2: Deep Clean Your Home
The first thing to do before putting on those rubber gloves is to completely declutter your home. When your home is overflowing with ‘stuff,’ it gives the impression that there’s not enough storage space, not to mention that it just looks messy. Know when it’s time to throw items away, or, if needed, rent a storage space to make your home look not so cluttered.
Now, it’s time to really dig in and clean your home, deeper than you have ever cleaned it before. Even if your home needs repairs, a clean home is going to sell much easier than one that’s dirty or dingy. Enlist the help of a cleaning service if needed.
If your house is as clean as a whistle, the chances are high that you’ll be getting a cash offer from a house-buying company, like Offer House.
Step 3: Tackle Easy Extras
While making repairs isn’t on your list of things to do, there are some relatively inexpensive things you can do that will make a big difference in your home’s appearance. Spend a weekend just touching up a few extras, and it will be worth your while. For example, apply a fresh coat of neutral-colored paint to your walls. Have your carpets professionally cleaned, or do it yourself. Replace any lightbulbs that have burned out, and apply fresh caulking to your kitchen and bathroom areas.
For instance, if you live in the Boise area, touching up the little extras will make your house look more appealing to a company, such as Gem State Cash Offer.
Step 4: Mention Renovation Loans In Your Listing
When listing your home, have your realtor help you mention specific wording about renovation loans. Renovation loans are your best friend when it comes to selling a fixer-upper. They cover the cost of the home, as well as the projected renovation costs, all bundled into one mortgage amount.
Examples of renovation loans include the FHA 203K and the Fannie Mae HomeStyle Renovation loan. If your realtor has an open house, have them mention the possibility of a renovation loan at that time as well.
Step 5: Focus On The Positive
When listing your home, market it based on its positive qualities. Think of things such as great views, good school districts, open floor plan, big windows for natural light, and so on. You can mention that it’s a fixer-upper, but, obviously, don’t mention each of the repairs or remodels that need to be done to the home.
Step 6: Don’t Overprice Your Home
When you’re selling a fixer-upper, the idea isn’t to make people believe that it’s perfect. Even after you’ve done your best to make it look good, don’t set the price too high. Allow your realtor to guide you based on the repairs it needs and the other houses that are surrounding it in the area.
A fair selling price can be determined by figuring the dollar amount of the upgrades and repairs it needs and, then, subtracting that from the value of the home if it were completely remodeled. The amount left will be your selling price.
Conclusion
Selling your home doesn’t mean you have to fork out tons of cash to fix all of its imperfections. Be sure to give it a good deep cleaning, as no one wants to see other people’s dirt, and give it a few little touchups here and there, wherever you see appropriate. Showcase the positives, price it fairly, and watch the offers roll in.