Are you looking to sell a house that needs work? You’re not alone.
Many homeowners find themselves in this situation, wondering how to get the best value for their property. At Property Saviour, we understand the challenges you face and we’re here to help.
Table of Contents
Selling a House That Needs Work: A Comprehensive Guide
When it comes to selling a house that needs work, it’s essential to know your target audience. While some buyers seek move-in ready homes, others are on the lookout for renovation projects. These potential buyers include:
- Property developers
- Buy-to-let landlords
- First-time buyers on a budget
- DIY enthusiasts
By identifying your ideal buyer, you can tailor your marketing strategy to attract the right people.
Assessing Your Property
Before putting your house on the market, take a thorough inventory of its condition. This will help you determine a realistic asking price and decide which repairs, if any, are worth undertaking. Consider:
- Structural issues
- Electrical and plumbing systems
- Roof condition
- Windows and doors
- Interior finishes
If you’re unsure about your property’s condition, it might be worth getting a professional survey. This can provide valuable information for potential buyers and help you price your home accurately.
To Renovate or Not to Renovate?
One of the biggest questions when selling a house that needs work is whether to make improvements before listing. While some renovations can increase your home’s value, others might not offer a good return on investment. Here are some tips:
- Focus on essential repairs: Fix leaky roofs, faulty wiring, or plumbing issues.
- Improve kerb appeal: A fresh coat of paint on the front door or tidying up the garden can make a big difference.
- Consider minor cosmetic updates: Fresh paint in neutral colours can brighten up interiors.
- Avoid major renovations: New kitchens or bathrooms rarely recoup their full cost in sales price.
Remember, many buyers looking for a project house want to put their own stamp on it. Overspending on renovations might price you out of this market.
Pricing Strategy
Pricing a house that needs work can be tricky. You’ll need to factor in:
- The cost of necessary repairs
- Local property market conditions
- Comparable sales in your area
Be realistic about your asking price. Overpricing can lead to your property sitting on the market for a long time, which can be off-putting to buyers.
Marketing Your Property
When selling a house that needs work, honesty is the best policy. Be upfront about the property’s condition in your listing. Highlight its potential and any positive features, such as:
- A desirable location
- Large plot size
- Period features
- Recent structural improvements
High-quality photos are essential. Consider using a professional photographer who can showcase your property’s best features.
Alternative Selling Options
If you’re struggling to sell your house on the open market, there are other options to consider:
- Property auctions: These can attract investors looking for renovation projects.
- Cash buying companies: Firms like Property Saviour can offer a quick sale, often within days.
- Part-exchange schemes: Some developers offer these for people buying new-build homes.
Why Choose Property Saviour?
At Property Saviour, we specialise in buying houses that need work. We offer:
- Fast, hassle-free sales
- No fees or commissions
- Cash purchases
- Flexible completion dates
If you’re finding it challenging to sell your house that needs work, why not get in touch with us? We’d be happy to discuss your options and provide a no-obligation offer.
Can you sell a house that needs repairs?
Yes, you can sell a house that needs repairs. While it might be more challenging than selling a move-in ready home, there’s a market for properties that need work. You can sell to investors, developers, or DIY enthusiasts who are looking for a project. Alternatively, you could sell to a cash buying company like Property Saviour, who specialise in buying properties in any condition.
Often a house that needs work can become a money pit with endless repairs.
There are several factors that negatively impact the value of a home that needs repair work. Some common issues that reduce the value of a property include:
- Japanese knotweed
- Cracks in the ceilings or walls
- Uneven floors
- Damp and mould
- Dry rot
- Poorly fitted doors or windows
- Leaking roof
Depending on severity, these problems can slightly or significantly decrease the market value of your property. Issues like Japanese knotweed will require specialist treatment over several years, which are costly but a necessary fix. These issues can make a house unsellable.
Is it worth fixing up a house before selling?
It depends on the extent of the work needed and your local property market. Minor repairs and cosmetic updates can often increase your home’s appeal and potentially its value. However, major renovations rarely recoup their full cost in the sale price. If you’re unsure, it’s best to consult with a local estate agent or a property buying company for advice tailored to your situation.
How do you sell a house that needs a lot of work?
To sell a house that needs a lot of work:
- Be honest about its condition in your listing
- Price it realistically, factoring in the cost of repairs
- Target your marketing towards investors or renovation enthusiasts
- Consider alternative selling methods like auctions or cash buying companies
- Highlight the property’s potential and any positive features
- Provide detailed information about necessary repairs to potential buyers
Essential Repairs That Add Value To Your Home
If neglected, a list of repairs within a home can add up over time. These can turn into more serious problems if you are unable to afford repairs. For instance, gutters blocked up with leaves and residue can result in dampness penetrating the walls. Similarly, a slow leak in a bathroom can destroy the wooden floorboards.
If you need to sell your property now, these are some of the jobs you should address to get the best price on the open market:
- Painting
This is an affordable way to improve your property, both inside and out. Choose neutral shades to appeal to a wider range of potential buyers, and repaint rooms that are dark or need refreshing. It is also worth cleaning window frames, glass and doors to remove any scuff marks.
- Kitchen and bathroom
Kitchens and bathrooms help sell homes. It is worth cleaning the grout or if necessary re-grout to give it a fresh look. Fix any leaky taps and give them a good deep clean.
- Lighting
Ensure your home is well illuminated and if possible use bright clear LED lights. Not only these will keep costs down, but they will also show off the best features of your property.
- Removing carpets
If you have an older property, pull up the carpets to see if you are hiding a beautiful floor underneath. If this is the case, give it a good sand down whilst wearing a face mask and then polish it.
What makes a house difficult to sell?
An unloved home requiring refurbishment is much harder to sell than one that is ready to move in. If a property needs work, it will put off any potential buyers.
Should You Refurbish a Property Before Selling?
Homeowners buy a house intending to refurbish it. Life gets in the way and often they don’t get around to taking care of the necessary work before selling it.
The asking price for the house will reflect the amount of work that has been done and the amount that hasn’t. However, there are steps you can take to attract a buyer who sees the potential in the property and is willing to take on a refurbishment project.
The important repairs to consider are the ones that are immediately noticeable. If you have an old wooden front door replacing it with a composite door will make it more secure.
Consider any issues that would be identified in a survey of the property. Are there any damaged walls, internally or externally? Are there any missing roof slates or problems with the chimney? Are the bathroom and kitchen in good condition in terms of fixtures and fittings, as well as cleanliness? Are there any leaks or issues with the boiler?
If you don’t know how to tackle a refurbishment – perhaps you don’t wish to invest time, and money or deal with the hassle then this is where Property Saviour can buy your home as it is.
Don’t try to hide any issues, as they will inevitably come to light in a survey. If you can’t afford to fix them yourself, be honest with any potential buyer. If they’re made aware of any issues from the outset, it will be easier to negotiate the cost of repairs into the asking price
Who Is Responsible for Repairs After a Sale?
As the seller of the property, it is your responsibility to inform the buyer of any repairs. However, after the exchange of contracts, it is the buyer’s responsibility to have the repairs completed.
As long as the seller has properly disclosed all relevant information, they are not responsible for fixing the issues.
What is the fastest way to sell a house that needs work?
The fastest way to sell a house that needs work is often through a cash buying company like Property Saviour. We can complete purchases in as little as 7 days, regardless of the property’s condition. This option eliminates the need for repairs, lengthy marketing periods, or dealing with potential buyers backing out due to survey results.
Sell to Property Saviour
Consider how you wish to sell your property, as there are several methods available to you. We’ll break them down including their pros and cons to help you make an informed decision:
- First-time buyers through an estate agent
They will be nervous about buying a doer-upper particularly if a property requires full modernisation with a new kitchen, bathroom and electrics. They will be heavily reliant on the opinion of a surveyor and whether or not their bank wants to lend funds against your property. There is no guarantee of a sale completed meaning that you could leave thousands of pounds out of pocket in terms of mortgage payments, council tax, insurance and bills if the sale falls through.
- Property developers or landlords through a property auction
- Sell your house ‘as is’ to a professional cash house buyer such as Property Saviour
If you are selling a house that needs work then Property Saviour is the one to trust.
Property Saviours are specialists in buying any type of property regardless of its condition. We provide you with certainty and speed of sale. We will cover up to £1,500 of your legal fees and complete it within a couple of weeks or quicker. With so many genuine seller reviews, we are the ones to trust.
Sell with certainty & speed
Property Saviour Price Promise
- The price we’ll offer is the price that you will receive with no hidden deductions.
- Be careful with ‘cash buyers’ who require a valuation needed for a mortgage or bridging loan.
- These valuations or surveys result in delays and price reductions later on.
- We are cash buyers. There are no surveys.
- We always provide proof of funds with every formal offer issued.
We'll Pay £1,500 Towards Your Legal Fees
- No long exclusivity agreement to sign because we are the buyers.
- You are welcome to use your own solicitor.
- If you don’t have one, we can ask our solicitors for recommendations.
- We share our solicitor’s details and issue a Memorandum of Sale.
Sell With Certainty & Speed
- Our approach is transparent and ethical, which is why sellers trust us.
- 100% Discretion guaranteed.
- If you have another buyer, you can put us in a contracts race to see who completes first.
- Complete in 10 days or at a timescale that works for you. You are in control.
