Although it might be tempting to leave all those annoying little issues such as rusty gutters and a weed-filled garden to the new owners, selling your house “as is” might just cause you to come up short financially.
An example often used is the $100,000 house that has a roofing problem that will cost $10,000 to repair.
While sellers may think that this will only bring the value of the sale down to $90,000, the reality is that they’d be lucky to get offers in of more than $75,000.
While the fix might require you to dig a little deeper and explore all the finance options, it’s important to max out your highest offer opportunity.
Sort Out The Under-$1000 Things First
The under-$1000 list is a great way to get started if you’re thinking of selling the house within the next couple of months.
On this list, you can include items such as:
- De-weeding the garden, paths, and driveway
- Fix gutters (if it’s only small fixes)
- Change out lightbulbs that aren’t working
- Replace dead flowers in flower beds
- Paint the door, patio railing, and garage door
- Replace door kickplates
- Get a professional cleaning company to deep clean the carpets
- Landscape a small garden
- Replace dated drapes and cushions
Take Stock Of Bigger Cost Items
There are a few things that could knock a great deal off the selling price if not taken care of, such as faded or dated interior and exterior paint, a bad roof, shoddy foundations, or even plumbing and electricity that needs to be redone.
For these items, homeowners may have to dig deeper into their pockets as it will cost more than just a couple of thousand dollars to fix.
While personal loans and credit cards help, homeowners should consider their mortgages and the available equity in their home as these tend to offer lower interest rates, which results in cheaper finance.
Spend A Lot Of Time Decluttering
Even though your clutter may go along with you when you move, a would-be purchaser might not be able to imagine themselves in your property if it’s filled with stuff.
Half-empty cupboards give the impression that the house is almost ready to move into, which will make buyers want to conclude the sale faster.
Clutter is also seen as a sign of dirt, which could give potential buyers a feeling of disgust.
Even if your property is a better fit for a potential buyer, another house that is staged well and tidy will leave a better impression.
Give yourself a deadline and a budget to make all the changes you need to do before putting your property on the market.
