• How to Sell a House As-Is When it Needs Repairs

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    Selling a home when it needs repairs and renovations can be challenging. You have to adjust your price expectations to take into account expenses the buyer will incur after buying the house, or budget to make those renovations before you sell. However, there is a way to sell your house without going through all the repairs yourself; it just takes research and strategy. This blog post will explore how you can still profit while selling an older home that requires work. Keep reading to learn more!

    Give All Details About Repairs Needed

    The first step is to be upfront and honest about the condition of your home. It is essential to provide potential buyers with an accurate picture of what needs to be done, so they can come in knowing exactly what they’re buying. Have a licensed contractor or home inspector inspect the house and create an extensive list of all repairs that need to be done.

    This list can be used when discussing the purchase price and will let buyers know what they’re getting into before they make an offer. You can get rid of clutter and create a more inviting atmosphere, but details about repairs will help buyers to understand what they need to do once the sale is complete.

    Price Accordingly

    You may get a partial market value when you sell a home in as-is condition. That’s why it is crucial to price your home accordingly. Consider the cost of repairs, any improvements you have already made, and how much comparable homes in the area are selling for.

    You should also be aware that buyers might use this list as part of their negotiation strategy, so be prepared to go back and forth.

    Sell to Companies that Buy Houses for Cash

    If you’re looking for a fast sale, selling your home to a company that buys houses for cash can be an excellent option. These companies can offer a fair price without needing costly renovations. You can escape the situation quickly and save money on home rehab expenses. Also, because they offer cash on the spot, you don’t have to wait months for the sale to go through.

    Offer Incentives for Buyers

    Another way to sweeten the pot is by offering incentives to potential buyers willing to take on the repairs themselves. These can include offering lower closing costs or paying a portion of the repair costs upfront. You could also offer an extended escrow period, giving buyers more time to come up with the necessary money for the repairs.

    Prioritize Minor Repairs

    Even if you’re selling as-is, it can still be beneficial for you to make minor repairs that don’t cost much money but can help make the home more appealing to potential buyers. Things like painting the walls or replacing broken light fixtures can go a long way in making your house look great and showing buyers that you care about its condition.

    The goal is to make the house as presentable as possible so buyers can make an informed decision. Carefully go over every detail to ensure it is up to par, and consider getting a professional opinion if you need more clarification.

    Selling a home in as-is condition can be done with the right strategy. Remember to be upfront about necessary repairs and price your home according to its current condition. The key is ensuring potential buyers understand what they’re getting into before committing. With research, patience, and effort, you can get the most out of your home, even in its current condition.

    partnered post • image by Scott Webb & Pexels

  • Home repairs: should you do them yourself, or get help?

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    reader Scott Gray sends in the following:

    Tackling home repairs and improvements begins with making a very
    personal decision. Are you capable of doing the job, or do you need
    help? How much help do you need? Maybe another experienced
    do-it-yourselfer can provide assistance, or perhaps you can take a
    course at your a local college or night school and learn how to do the
    work. Or maybe not. Professional help is expensive, but in some cases,
    you have no choice but to suck it up and call a repairperson.

    These are the things to consider:

    • Most repair work and maintenance jobs are a matter of understanding how things work and having the right tools to fix them.
    • Anyone can learn basic painting, plumbing, masonry, electrical or
      construction work, but for complex tasks, consider the specialized
      knowledge, testing equipment, and tools that might be needed. If it’s a
      radio, television, photographic equipment, camera, computer, or the oil
      burner in your furnace that’s on the fritz, you should call a qualified
      repairperson. Even if you have the courage to try and do the work, the
      cost of the testing equipment and specialized tools are probably
      prohibitive. If you want to rewire the house, there are safety issues
      involved and you really should consult a professional.
    • How accessible is the item to be repaired? If it’s something
      that is built into the house and you have to tear the wall apart to get
      at it, you had better know exactly what you are going to do when you
      get there; otherwise call a professional right away. It’s probably less
      expensive in the long run.

    Home Repairs – How to Get Started
    Can you really save money after laying down what seems like a fortune for tools and materials? Yes, you can.

    • Find a safe, protected work area, such as the garage, the basement, or
      an insulated and well-lit shed. You need to store tools and supplies
      and keep them dry and safe; and you need a place to saw, sand, and
      basically make a mess that won’t interfere with the daily lives of
      those who share your home.
    • Begin by stocking your work area and tool kit with the basics:
      You need a hammer, various sizes and styles of screwdrivers (at least
      four or five), an adjustable wrench, a crosscut saw, a
      measuring tape
      ,
      two or three sizes of paint brushes, spackle paste or fill, duct tape,
      silicone caulking, penetrating oil and machine oil, glue, sandpaper,
      electrical tape, masking tape, and an assortment of screws, anchors,
      nails, washers, and o-rings. And that’s just the start. You will need
      to add other items as repair jobs and home improvement projects crop
      up.
    • Start with the easy stuff: replace the socket on that
      flickering lamp; paint a small room, replace the washer and the o-ring
      on that dripping tap; put together an easy-to-assemble doll house. Once
      you master simple repair tasks, you will have the confidence to try
      more complex jobs.

    The Sky is the Limit

    • As you become
      familiar with hand tools and simple home repairs and improvements, you
      will develop a taste for more complex do-it-yourself projects and
      hunger after speed and efficiency. You’ll realize that it’s easy to
      improve the resale value of your home by adding a deck, but first, you
      need to add power tools to your tool arsenal. And you can afford them
      now because you no longer throw out things that don’t work and don’t
      have to pay for professional repairs.
    • Check out Bosch cordless drills
      for drilling holes and driving in screws, and do some comparison
      shopping like reading reviews and reports on models by Hitachi, Makita,
      Delta, DeWalt, Ridgid, Ryobi, etc.
    • Don’t think about adding crown molding to your house without
      investing in a sliding miter saw, and again, check major brands and
      read reviews before you buy.

    For almost every hand tool there is
    a power tool, and you will love them all. And before you know it,
    you’ll be able to assemble a doll house in no time at all.

    Scott Gray is currently a home
    improvement handyman enthusiast and freelance writer who enjoys
    providing tips to consumers who are in the market for hand and power
    tools like
    compound miter saws
    .

    photo by Andrew Johnson