How to Sell a House with Severe Issues

A destroyed house with no roof and collapsed walls
There’s structural damage, and then there’s this…even the two magic words can’t help you out here

While it certainly is true that there is no place like home, it’s also true that it’s hard to see the flaws when you are too close to them. We often ‘rediscover’ our home’s shortcomings just as we’ve packed half our belongings and are ready to move out. That leaky roof that should have been fixed a long time ago? Suddenly it becomes a glaring problem when only a day ago it was something you’d accepted as part of your house’s quaint charm. Those cracks in the wall that were barely visible? When you move those strategically placed pictures that were hanging right over them, they sort of seem hard to miss. Pete, the poltergeist living in the basement? He’s a stand-up fellow, but how will you explain that to potential buyers? Don’t worry; there are options. Here is how to sell a house with severe issues.

Two Magical Words: ‘As Is’

Believe it or not, there is a quick and simple option. This one is perfect for those who are pressed for time or do not have the financial resources to fix their property. You can sell your house in an as-is condition, with your only responsibility being to disclose all known problems beforehand. This solves the problem of having to take care of your home’s issues! Selling to real estate investors can mean you avoid long waits. The typical time scale you’d be dealing with is 10-14 days. Furthermore, it is a way out if you are facing foreclosure, as you could potentially get an offer in week one and close in week two. You also avoid commissions, as there are no realtors involved.

As you can see, working with a direct buyer could be a quick and painless solution to your woes. Now, imagine if there was a reliable firm in the Kansas City Metro that could send you a fair cash offer for your home. Wouldn’t that be handy?

An old house that is past its prime

A Little Elbow Grease

There are specific cosmetic changes that you can handle yourself. Listing a home as-is is all fine and dandy, but you still do not attract potential buyers (if you have chosen to hire a real estate agent to sell your house). The foundation may have problems, but the yard outside does not have to look like the winner of the Amazon rainforest look-alike contest. Cut the grass, dig out those weeds. Paint the exterior/interior. A mess can be a huge turn-off. Get rid of excess furniture and belongings, clean the bathroom, kitchen, and floors, and give the old property a clean look. Once you are perusing through bestcrosscountrymovers.com, looking for help with the relocation process, having successfully sold your house, it will be worth the extra effort.

A mop and cleaning supplies stacked in a neat pile
How to sell a house with severe issues? Roll up your sleeves and get to work!

Bite the Bullet

If time is not of the essence, there is one obvious solution. Taking care of those severe issues could make life much easier. There are two routes you can take here. One is to consult a professional and acquire a better understanding of what must be fixed to attract more buyers. Some things are higher on the priorities list. People sometimes fail to understand that not all investments will earn their money back, so choose wisely. Adding a water feature to an already perfect house will rarely result in a proportional rise in the realistic asking price. If you have the resources and time to take care of the main issues, it should result in a higher interest in the property and, therefore, a higher selling price. The second route, of course, is not to pick and choose but take care of all of the problems.

How to Sell a House With Severe Issues? Enlist the Help of a Realtor

A local real estate agent can be of great assistance. First of all, they won’t refer to your home as having severe issues but as a fixer-upper. Right there, you can see the essence of what they can offer. They will show you how to market your house. For example, you will need to present your home to potential buyers. They can show you how to stage the house. This is important; it will allow you to present your property in the best possible light.

Furthermore, emphasis will be placed on the property’s positives. The house is run-down but is located in a desirable area? They will show you how to use that card and play to your advantage. Eye-catching words can be woven into the listing. This will create demand for a home that has maybe seen better days. By the way, everyone at kcmoHomeBuyer is also a real estate agent and would be happy to help.

An open house sign on a green yard
A realtor will help attract and maintain the attention of potential buyers

I Sold the House! What Now?

Now that you know your options, you will hopefully be able to sell your home with fewer problems than you may have anticipated. However, if you are selling, you may be planning a move to another part of the country. Cross country moves are tricky. The logistics and planning involved can be pretty hefty and time-consuming. Hiring professional movers to relocate your belongings from Missouri to another state is a sure-fire solution to this quandary. They will know how to pack and take care of your things during that long haul. So, if you want to transfer everything out of state but not have a headache during the whole affair, be sure to find some additional assistance.

There’s Always a Solution

Hopefully, this article has helped alleviate some of the stress you may have been feeling about selling your house. There is always an answer. What solution you will pursue will mainly depend on your situation. The situation almost invariably translates to finances and time, but what’s new there? The critical thing to remember is that if you were worried about how to sell a house with severe issues, all you have to do is look up to find the answer!

Article from guest writer Emma Jones with Superior Moving PA


Kim Tucker

Kim Tucker along with her husband Don and son Scott make up the core kcmoHomeBuyer Team that has been buying homes across the Kansas City Metro since 2000!

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