What’s the first thing that runs through your mind when you decide to sell your house? If you’re like most people, you think of how much work you have to do before your home is ready for the market. First, there’s the thorough cleaning, scrubbing and decluttering of each room. Then there are the minor repairs and upgrades, which typically include a coat of fresh paint, some new backsplash, and updated hardware.
Generally speaking, these preparations can go a long way toward fetching the highest possible price from your sale. But what if you don’t want to go through any of the trouble? In some cases, you can sell your home as-is while still obtaining satisfactory results. The key is to understand the market and position your listing accordingly.
Who Is Your Buyer?
Knowing your prospective buyer and their plans is a significant deciding factor in a successful sale without any of the hard work of renovating your home. For example, if your house is older and needs a lot of work, your buyer may be planning on rebuilding it or renovating it to the point it’s no longer recognizable.
If this is the case, you can safely skip most of the traditional steps of getting your listing ready for the market. What you need instead is a real estate agent who can target those buyers who are looking for the perfect opportunity to create their custom dream home.
Want even more tips to get the best results from your sale? The following posts can help:
- Everything You Need to Know Before Selling Your First Home
- What Buyers Want in Toronto Right Now
- Should You Hold on to Your Condo or Sell It?
Location Matters Even More
Anyone who has thought about buying or selling real estate has likely heard the old saying, “location, location, location.” It’s even more critical when you decide to sell your home as-is. Instead of focusing on the beautiful features within your house, you want your buyer to think about all of the incredible amenities and conveniences nearby.
For example, is your home close to a high-quality school? Is it on a public transit route, with plenty of beautiful parks and playgrounds within easy walking distance? If so, it instantly becomes more valuable to families with young children, regardless of its condition or outside appearance.
Is there any value in buying a house close to a school? Find out in our post right here.
Showcase the Potential
When selling a home, the trick is to help your buyer imagine all of the possibilities it offers. That’s why we generally recommend leaving any extensive renovations to the new owner. It saves you time and effort on projects the buyer is just going end up redoing for themselves.
Minor updates such as fresh paint and staging are designed to help the buyer imagine themselves living in the home. When selling as-is, there are still many little things you can do to create this effect. At the very least, you want to clean thoroughly and remove all of your personal belongings so that nothing distracts prospective buyers from their vision.
Focus on Curb Appeal
When it comes to selling a house, it really is the outside that counts. This is even more true when selling as-is. A few minor upgrades to your home’s exterior can help create a first impression visitors will never forget.
To get the best results, imagine that your buyer isn’t even going to step foot in your home. It means that it’s more important than ever to “wow” them with the stunning beauty of your yard and entranceway. Keeping the lawn carefully maintained is an excellent first step. You can further enhance the effect by adding some well-chosen decor pieces and cozy outdoor furniture. If there is a spectacular view outside your backyard, be sure to highlight it by keeping the hedges and trees neatly trimmed.
Do you want more tips to make the exterior of your home shine? Read “Absolutely Fabulous! Secrets of Gorgeous Curb Appeal for Every Season” next.
The Power of Targeted Marketing
Selling as-is is simply a matter of finding the right buyer, one who is eager and excited to upgrade and customize the home to their own individual tastes and style. For this, you need a targeted marketing and outreach strategy.
Your campaign should avoid people who are looking for something move-in ready and instead focus on those with the ability, the budget, and the desire to transform the home. Investors, seasoned real estate buyers, and skilled “do-it-yourself” types just might be the perfect prospects to breathe new life into your home.
The right Realtor® can help you sell your home no matter what challenges you are facing. Read “Real Estate Concierge Service: Is It Right For You?” to find out more.
Accurate Pricing Is Essential
If you want to get the best possible results with your listing, it’s essential to get the price right. Keep in mind that your prospective buyer will also have a budget for renovating and rebuilding. If your price is too high, upgrading your home no longer becomes feasible.
That doesn’t mean you have to undervalue your home, either. Much of the value of your property comes from its location, lot size, and nearby amenities. Setting an accurate and competitive price point will help to generate the most interest in your listing and can result in a higher profit once your sale finalizes.
Depending on the market, selling a house as-is can take time. It’s important to set reasonable expectations and to work with an experienced real estate agent who can make the most of your listing. With a little patience and a well-executed strategy, you may soon be putting up a “Sold” sign on your lawn.
Do you need help creating a strategy to sell your home? We are happy to help. Reach out today to 647.232.7317 or ana@asantos.ca for more information or to get started.