When you’re trying to sell your home, you always have to weigh the pros and cons of potential buyers who either ask you to fix it up or those who will buy it as is. When you’re thinking about selling your home as-is, though, there are some things you need to consider carefully before you go down that route. Here are some of the pros and cons of selling your home as-is.
Sell it yourself
I’m not going to tell you it’s easy, but I will say that if you have a house that needs work, selling as is may be your fastest option. Some sellers find they get more offers (especially from cash buyers) if they can sell their home quickly. If so, you could wind up saving thousands of dollars in real estate agent fees by opting for an as-is sale. Keep in mind, though, that most buyers want to buy a home with no immediate or major repairs required. For example, a buyer would likely opt out of buying a home if the living room ceiling was caving in. They may even ask for less money on the purchase price than the cost to repair it.
List it for sale
If you’re in a hurry to sell your home, listing it for sale is your best bet. And with so many buyers out there willing to take a chance on buying homes as is, you’ll have little trouble finding an interested buyer. If you’re in a rush to unload your house, list it for sale as quickly as possible. Also, keep in mind that before you can list it for sale, you’ll need to fix any outstanding problems or issues—otherwise potential buyers may be dissuaded from making an offer. (That said, don’t go overboard.) You can either hire someone or handle repairs yourself; just make sure everything is up to snuff before putting your property on the market. If you’ve decided that buying a home as it will suit your needs better than trying to sell yours, then here are some things to consider when shopping around. To find a home that suits your needs, contact real estate agents or get prequalified by talking with lenders at banks or credit unions. Once you find the perfect place, figure out how much of a down payment and monthly mortgage payments will work for you based on what price range you’re considering – remember not all properties require equal down payments or monthly mortgage payments!
Getting more value out of an open house
While some homebuyers want to buy a home as it is, others want an open house—which means you can still make money off your listing even if you choose not to do any additional updates. If you’re thinking about taking that approach, there are some things you should know. For example, buyers may ask for price reductions or even walk away from a purchase because of a new discovery during an open house; they may not be happy with what they see and decide to leave without submitting an offer. As long as your home is reasonably clean (but not perfect), I say go for it! The more potential homes on the market in general, the better chances you have at selling yours. The only real downside would be getting stuck with one of those buyer remorse situations where someone buys your home and then decides they don’t like it after all—or worse yet, their family doesn’t like it either!
Realtor advice
Before selling your home as is, it’s important to consider both the pros and cons of doing so. Selling your home without making repairs is a risky business. You might save time and money by not fixing up your home for sale, but you could also leave yourself vulnerable to losing a lot of money if your home doesn’t sell. Whether or not it’s a good idea to sell an as-is property depends on several factors, including how large of an area you plan on moving to; whether or not it makes sense financially; and what kind of condition your house is in. In addition, if you are moving long distance, there are certain things you may want to consider before opting for an as-is sale. For example, many areas have restrictions against non-local buyers purchasing homes that haven’t been updated with current building codes and safety standards. When buying a home as is, potential buyers will want to be aware of any hidden issues they may face in the future such as major structural problems or lead paint poisoning.
The downside with buying a home as it is can be summed up with one word: risk.
What are the benefits of selling as is?
If you want to sell your home, but don’t have time to fix up a few minor issues, consider selling it as is. Be careful before jumping into an as-is sale—not all real estate agents will accept them (especially if they’re making a flat fee), but those who do can save you money in fees or commissions because they don’t have to spend time or money staging. If you do decide to sell as is, keep in mind that repairs will be your responsibility (unless there’s something glaringly dangerous). And don’t forget that buyers could back out on you at any point during escrow, leaving you without another buyer in sight. One way to mitigate this risk is by offering the buyer the option of taking possession of the property now, rather than waiting for the close of escrow. That way, if they change their minds and leave you hanging, you’re not out any additional money – just some time.
Should you sell your home as-is?
Depending on what condition your home is in, it might be a smart move to sell your home as-is. However, you need to consider both sides of a as is sale, especially if you’re not planning on making any repairs or renovations before putting your house up for sale. Potential buyers will want to know what they’re getting into—there’s no sense in trying to hide issues from potential buyers. That said, if you expect that a buyer will be willing to make significant improvements (both financially and time wise), then selling as is might be worth considering.
Have QUESTIONS?
Fill out the form below and I’ll send you my Complete Guide to selling your home AS-IS! Keep it with you for peace-of-mind, and connect with me for more info!