How To Sell An Old House Fast
Selling an old home doesn’t mean you are competing against brand-new constructions as much as you think. According to a survey held by the American Community Survey, about 43% of the nation’s 136 million housing units were built between 1970 and 1999. research from the National Association of Realtors shows that the typical home purchased in 2018 was 1,850 square feet and built-in 1990 — making it akin to an older Millennial who might have childhood memories of Rubik’s cubes, video store rentals, and cassette tapes. However, even with those encouraging news, some things must be done to ensure a successful sale of an old house.
Things like wine, cheese, and some comfy jeans only improve with age. Older houses aren’t known for fitting that description. Old homes are thought to have damaged roofs, mold damage, and other physical problems. However, your house can be made to stand out, and you will be able to
sell my house fast in Kansas City. Here are expert tips for selling an older home by positioning it as an asset.
1. Prove you Kept Up with Maintenance
Kansas City home buyers may prefer to avoid inheriting a maintenance headache. That is usually a top concern when it comes to older homes. You may want to hire a home inspector or other specialists before listing the house so that you can avoid any issues that could be deal breakers. Many buyers, 39%, usually want to avoid renovations and problems with plumbing and electricity, as per studies by the National Association of Realtors (NAR).
Buyers of old houses seemed to want reassurance about the following factors:
- The state of the foundation and the basement: apart from looking for cracks and mold, walk around the main floors. Check for bowed walls, long cracks in the paint, and separated sidings. You can get a foundation inspection which lasts about two hours.
- Age and condition of the roof: You should check if there are any loose shingles or leaks or if the top is level. A roof inspector can check that as well as the exterior, ceilings, walls, and attic.
- State of the plumbing: If your water looks cloudy, you have low water pressure and old lead piping, and a plumber should check other faulty conditions.
- If the wiring needs updating: Does your home have grounded outlets? Aluminum or knob-and-tube wiring? An electrical safety inspection should be done to ensure all is okay.
- Utility bills: Real estate agents look at past utility bills before listing, and prospective buyers always ask about the cost of heating and ventilation. The age of the HVAC system will be asked. Buyers also ask if the windows are insulated or not.
Arranging for a pre-listing inspection is advisable. It will give you enough time to fix any serious issues that a buyer’s inspection would uncover. In addition, this will provide you with a stronger position during negotiations.
Collect receipts and warranties for new appliances, repairs, and renovations for a home appraiser. This will show an inspector and prospective buyers that your house is well-maintained.
2. Market Your Home’s Unique Features
One selling point that older homes will always have is their architecture. They don’t resemble current styles and give homes a classical feel. Buyers are usually drawn to the uniqueness and quirky features like “witch windows” or milk doors. These features can help you to sell your house fast Kansas City.
If your home has some historical value, such as being owned by a prominent citizen or being associated with a significant event, you can easily attract buyers. If you want to
sell my inherited house fast in Kansas City, this is a good option. You can dig through and find if your inherited home has some history.
3. Ditch Dated Décor
While trying to emphasize your home’s charming architectural touches, you don’t want your buyers to feel like they are traveling back in time. You may not notice it, but potential buyers may not feel your bathroom's popcorn ceiling or floral wallpaper. Those issues can leap out buyers.
Minor updates such as a fresh coat of paint and new hardware on kitchen cabinets and drawers can help your home look fresh. You can also install energy-efficient fixtures like LED lighting. Try replacing your bulbs with LED ones, like these 60-watt equivalent EcoSmart bulbs that mimic daylight — and help rooms show well in photographs for online listings.
If you’re looking to sell your house fast or don’t want to deal with contingencies, a cash offer may be ideal for you. But if you might need more time to find a new home or want to be sure you’re maximizing your profits, you could be better off with a mortgaged buyer. It really comes down to the offer’s details, not just where the buyer’s getting their funds.
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sell my house fast Kansas City.
4. Stage to Impress
If you can’t restore your entire home before selling it, you can stage it so that it has a broad appeal. Pare down the knickknacks and furniture, so the house doesn’t look cluttered, and show off any natural materials, including hardwood floors. For an older home, that might be more compartmentalized instead of open layouts. Next, try to designate some functionality or versatility for specific rooms, such as a home office that doubts. Finally, don’t forget to enhance architectural features, such as using paint to highlight crown molding or wainscoting, a ceiling medallion in an entryway, a fireplace mantel, or an ornamental fireplace insert.
5. Highlight the Space
Compared to new construction, an older home might have square footage or a larger lot size proving more desirable for buyers. If you have a deck, garden, patio, or porch, that’s a livable space to promote. It has a good curb appeal and is an excellent place for large families. You can highlight the area you are selling to shift focus from other things buyers look at, like an open floor plan.
About the author
Benjamin Allgeyer
Benjamin Allgeyer is a real estate investor and the owner of Crown City Home Buyers, a cash home buying company based in Kansas City, MO. Benjamin has a passion for helping homeowners who are facing difficult situations, such as foreclosure or financial distress, by providing them with a quick and hassle-free solution to sell their homes. He is committed to providing his clients with exceptional service and helping them achieve their real estate goals.
We here at Crown City Home Buyers are dedicated to getting the most cash possible into your pockets for your home as-is, so that you can get the most out of this situation and prepare to move on. We will buy houses in any condition without you needing to fix your home before sale.