Tips for Getting Your Home Ready to Sell As-Is

by Kurt Weber 09/01/2019

Some houses benefit from extensive care over the years, while others show a lot of tough love. When it comes time to move on and sell your house, it might need repairs to get top dollar when selling. Fixing it up to sell is one option, but for those selling hurriedly without extra funds for significant repairs, here are tips for selling a house that may need a little work "as-is."

Clean it Up

Keeping your house neat and tidy can go a long way. While looking around at the ins and outs of your home, the day-to-day living will show. It is always worth giving a great first impression to a potential buyer. Buyers that see a cluttered house also will see that there aren't many storage options. 

A delightful and maintained garden creates an appealing outer appearance. If there is not much to your landscaping, there are options to create a more welcoming lawn. If dealing with mostly concrete, adding gravel can be soothing to the eye. The area will become more attractive with this simple addition. Getting rid of weeds, keeping the grass trimmed, and adding some potted flowers can make quite a difference. Don't be afraid to stand out!

Another simple clean-up task is the windows. Most buyers head to windows right away to get a view of the house. Clean windows and sills can change a good impression to a great one. 

Display Outstanding Features

Every house has its own unique gems. Don't be afraid to boast about the good qualities of your house. Floor plans, original fixtures, or anything unusual about the house are useful to point out to any type of buyer.

Create a focus on your selling points. A beautiful patio, ample storage, and distinctive views matter to many buyers and help with the transition of a sale. 

Highlight the location of the house as well. If the house is in a well-known, desired neighborhood, be sure to point it out. Don't forget to mention public transportation, schools in the area, and the commute to specific stores or parts of town. People desire to live in a great house, but they also want great surroundings. 

Sweat the Small Stuff

Taking the initiative to fix smaller repairs can be beneficial. Huge renovations aren't always needed. To make your place have a better appearance, often cosmetic repairs are what is necessary: Any holes or stains on the walls and ceilings should be taken care of right away. Deep cleaning appliances and bathrooms will go a long way. Leaky pipes and other small broken fixtures should be fixed immediately. Broken hinges and doors are noticeable but also easy to fix. 

The Price is Right

Presenting a charade isn't the goal here. The buyer will see the amount of work needed to achieve their dream house, and that should be reflected in the price as well. An overpriced property can turn away a lot of buyers.

Rely on the advice and expertise of your real estate professional to help you set the correct pricing for a quick but profitable sale.

About the Author
Author

Kurt Weber

Real Estate is rapidly moving to large impersonal sales teams focused on transaction volume. Mine is a concierge philosophy, where I focus on managing a limited number of high touch, hands-on quality transactions that deliver results in a competently personalized way.

I am a long time real estate investor and retired business owner, who brings a professional business perspective and negotiating skills to every transaction.