As Is, Or As It Will Be?

Property owners often think they cannot sell their house unless it is in perfect condition. They have a misconception that they must fix and renovate their house to be able to sell in today’s market. They hesitate to sell their property "As Is."

While in most situations move-in ready condition is highly desirable, not all sellers can afford the time or expense to undergo this process. 

Reasons

There are various life events that can happen making it difficult for an owner to present a house in move in condition:

• The most common reason is a financial hardship. If a seller doesn’t have the financial resources to fix the house, then there may not be a choice.

• If there is a serious illness in the family, a seller may need to move immediately, or just be preoccupied with health matters and cannot undertake the extra burden of renovation. 

• Divorce or the death of a spouse may leave one party overwhelmed or unable to prepare the house for traditional sale

• Sudden relocation for career or family may leave an owner with other priorities and long distance renovations may not be an option.

• A disaster such as a house fire, structural failure or flood may be too extensive for a property owner to take on if they have abandoned the property.

Disclosures

 

When selling a house in As Is condition, it is very important to be honest with buyers. Disclosures are a good way to objectively convey the condition of the property.  

There are standard forms for disclosing defects in every state. Some states require more information than others.

 

For more information on disclosures, read: Will Your House... Haunt You? 

Agent or For Sale By Owner

While it is possible to use a realtor to sell a house in less than perfect condition, owners often choose to list these properties on their own. When money becomes an issue, the hefty realtor’s fee may be more money than the property owner can bear to part with.

Selling a house privately is usually a good option, although it may take a little longer, especially during the holiday season.

Pricing

When selling a house that is not in move-in condition, it is important to remember that point when pricing the property. The price of repairs and to some extent, the time and inconvenience of doing the work should be factored in.

The best way to price the house is to research properties that have sold in the area. Once the cost of repairs has been deducted from the price of a traditional sale, you will have a good idea of what your property can sell for. 

It is important to stay open minded about your asking price and not to dismiss any offers without consideration.

Some buyers may offer a very low amount, but wave any inspection of the property. In some cases, having a guaranteed offer may be the best option.

If there is negotiation as to the price, a buyer may end up asking for an inspection of the property. In these cases, the purchase agreement may be contingent on inspection. The buyer will have the right to move forward with the purchase or walk away if any additional major defects are found during the inspection.

In addition, if the price seems too high, a buyer can still ask for repairs. The negotiation could take a lot of time and be frustrating. The sale may be cancelled.

It is up to the seller to determine if they can wait for another buyer at the price they have set, or if it is better to sell immediately and move on.

Specialists

There are buyers who specialize in buying properties in as is condition. When a property is in very bad shape, it is often called “distressed”. These buyers often do not care about the condition at all. 

They have team members that can deal with structural issues, clutter, hoarding and excessive garbage. In this way, the property owner is given relief from the burden immediately.

If you are putting your home on the market, the holidays can be a very stressful time. Most people are not focused on buying a house at this time. This may extend the time it takes to sell your property.

If selling during the holidays isn't something you wish to consider right now, we can help.

If you have come to the realization that it is time to move right now to have a better life, but your house isn’t ready for market, we can help. 

If you are juggling too many responsibilities to sell your house yourself this fall, then there are people who specialize in the sale of properties "as is" - usually within a week to resolve the situation quickly. We have a team of professionals able to assist you immediately.

Contact us for details.

Next time we will look at warning signs buyers look for when buying a house.

So thanks for reading my post. I'm so glad you're here! 

And I really look forward to getting into more great stuff in future posts -- so that you can 

Turn Your House To $OLD!

Feel free to ask me any questions through the contact info below. I would be very happy to help.

Linda  623-335-2662

Write to Turn My House To Sold

Turn My House To Sold on Facebook

More Info

_____________

Article Sources:

Lynda Bathory

Thanksgiving Tactics

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and the holidays can be very stressful when you are selling your house. Everyone knows that to show a house well, it is supposed to be decluttered, depersonalized and staged. Right?

So what is a homeowner to do when it is time for a family holiday gathering?

Most people will think that when they are selling their house that they should not decorate for guests. Nothing could be further from the truth!

Showing your house well during the holidays can be a very important strategy to get that sale - fast.

It will help buyers imagine throwing a holiday celebration of their own in YOUR surroundings!

Understandably, you hope that this is the last time you will be celebrating in this house. The temptation may be to go “all out.”

But is that the wise choice?

HOW TO DO IT RIGHT

Outdoors

The key to showing your house well during the holidays is not to have decorations overpower the place. You do not want to up-stage your number one asset – your house. Keep the decorations festive, but scaled back so buyers do not have a difficult time seeing the architecture and any other great features that are in your house.

It is important not to have decorations interfere with traffic circulation in and around your property (above left and center). Too much decoration may make it difficult to actually see the condition of the property. In addition, scarecrows as in the photo (above right) may make some people uncomfortable.

These entrances still show a welcoming holiday atmosphere without impeding traffic flow, or visual inspection of the house's exterior. Note the image in the center where pumpkins have been used to boldly show the house numbers. Very clever!

Indoors

On the inside, it would be better to keep decorations from blocking important features, such as a great view or built-in custom cabinetry like the winerack far right (did you even notice it in the photo far right?) It is best to keep things in proportion to the space. Resist the urge to go vertical - anything above eye level at standing height will interfere with the buyer's view:

While these arrangements are dramatic, it is important to keep the buyer's goals in mind. 

Don't let visiting buyers be distracted by your decorations - when you want them to be dazzled by your house!

Keep It Contained

Instead of placing decorations on every surface – which may be very distracting to visiting buyers – choose selected, defined areas to decorate.

If you have a great foyer, some decorations here will help create a welcoming and festive atmosphere immediately upon entry. It would be the perfect place for a seasonal flower arrangement, some pumpkins or other seasonal decor.

Notice how the arrangement on the left uses a mirror as a base. In this way, the owners can move it for convenience and cleaning.

This is also a great way to keep the arrangement intact if it needs to be stored during a buyer's visit.

Make The Most Of Your Mantel

If you are lucky enough to have a fireplace, the mantel would also be a great place to decorate. It will be out of the way of buyers touring through your house, and will also help to highlight a very important architectural feature.

Wherever you choose to decorate, make sure there is ample space around the holiday items so that it does not feel crowded, or overpower the room.

Thanksgiving is a holiday that every American can identify with, but keep in mind that the buyers that tour your home may not share your faith. 

You may wish to keep more personal items, such as religious symbols and family photos for your own private holiday gathering.

Ninja Tricks

If your house is on the small side, it might be best to keep decorations to a minimum during visits so that your house does not look cramped or crowded. There are some great ways to create portable decorations that you can set out when it is time to do your holiday entertaining.

Use portable decorative items to instantly add holiday cheer. Baskets, trays and other containers can be arranged ahead of time and set out just before your company comes calling.

The benefit of this strategy is that you can display as little or as many decorations as is appropriate for any occasion.

Embrace the Outdoors

If you are fortunate enough to live in a temperate area, consider having your holiday gathering outside. In this way, you can show off your yard as a perfect place for entertaining. You can set up for a large party without impacting the inside of your house.  It will keep your dining room from looking small and overstuffed with additional chairs and accessories.

The secret is to always keep the area set as though guests are just about to arrive.

Buyers may be envious of this great entertaining feature! They will be imagining what it would be like to have a gathering of their own. The longer they linger, the more likely they are talking themselves into buying your house!

Glam It Up!

The holidays are a perfect time to add glamour and excitement to your interior. One great way is to add metallic accessories. Using a few select items is the perfect way to add some sparkle without it becoming overpowering. These glistening elements will add a luxurious touch and catch the buyer's eye.This is a great way to make your furnishings look more expensive on a budget.

A light gilded touch may even make buyers secretly covet your lifestyle and be imagining their own holiday dinner in the room!

Advanced Prep Meets Smart Style

When buyers visit, they may be overwhelmed if you have every last piece of your china, crystal and cutlery along with all your condiments and favors out for your party. 

Look for clever ways to do your holiday preparations in advance, and keep them tucked away. Use trays, baskets and other containers so that you can do your holiday prep in advance and still be able to keep clutter to a minimum for buyers. 

This coffee station set-up not only looks beautiful, but you can keep it stashed until your guests arrive.

Add Sophistication To Your Staging

No matter how many guests you are expecting, use the holidays as an excuse to stage your house with some seasonal decor - especially in the dining room! 

Create a festive mood by putting out place settings in an appropriate number for your space. 

Add a few decorative items and candles. Use sparkle to your advantage! Let buyers think that you will be entertaining very soon. 

Who knows…they may be envious and want your lifestyle!

If you are putting your home on the market yourself, the holidays are a very stressful time. It can be very difficult to balance work and family obligations in addition to the holidays while decluttering, cleaning, packing and repairing your house.

If selling during the holidays isn't something you wish to consider right now, we can help. We take all the stress out of selling.

If you have come to the realization that it is time to move right now to have a better life, but your house isn’t ready for market, we can help. 

If you are juggling too many responsibilities to sell your house yourself this fall, or get it ready for the traditional market, then we may be a solution for you.

We are people who specialize in the purchase of properties "as is" and are happy to work with you and your scheduling needs. We can buy your house in as quickly as a week - or at a later date you determine to resolve your situation quickly and stress-free.

Contact us for details.

So thanks for reading and please leave us a comment to let us know what you think!

Come back and visit often to get more great information in future posts -- so that you can 

Turn Your House To $OLD!

Feel free to ask questions through the contact info below. We would be very happy to help.

Linda  623-335-2662

Write to Turn My House To Sold

Turn My House To Sold on Facebook

More Info

______________

Article Sources:

Better Homes and Gardens

Martha Stewart Living


Further Reading:

How To Say Goodbye To Your Old House Today!

3 Shocking Mistakes Killing Your For Sale By Owner

Do You Recognize the 22 Early Warning Signs of Homeowner Distress?

Size Matters

Small spaces can be challenging when selling your house. The temptation is to fit in as much as possible to make the room seem fully functional. But is it a good idea?

Probably not!

The best way to show off a small space it to pare it down as much as possible to give the space “room to breathe.” This isn’t necessarily a small space trick – it is an important part of depersonalizing and clearing clutter.

What are some of the best hacks to make the space flow and feel larger than life?

Color

There is a popular myth that small spaces should all be white or pastel. If this is your taste, go for it! However a dramatic color will give the room a sense of depth and when done correctly will give the room added interest, and highlight any architectural features.

If you are planning to repaint a small room for sale, just remember to use neutral color – unless there is a very compelling reason to go bold!

One of the best ways to make a small room feel larger is to bring color from an adjacent or adjoining room. This will help the eye flow from one space to another giving the illusion that the space is bigger than it actually is.

The medium deep taupe of these walls add interest to this room and work well with the neutral furnishings.

Scale

Some people think that one must use small scale furniture in a smaller room. Nothing can be further from the truth! While a pair of facing love seats may work better than a large sofa, a small frame may just emphasize that the space is small. Keep furniture lines simple and tailored for a streamlined look.

Use comfortable furniture, but use only the pieces you need to make the space work. If one stylish table makes the room useful, don’t try to fit in three small pieces in various places. If a coffee table will impact traffic, use two end tables instead. 

When staging to sell, don’t be tempted into using multifunctional pieces – such as an ottoman or trunk -- for storage. These pieces often weigh down a room and work against the illusion of more space. Where ever possible, eliminate clutter.

The room on the right uses sleek modern pieces for a well appointed room.

Pattern and Texture

Pattern and texture are a great way to add interest and personality to a room. 

Instead of overall patterns on furniture upholstery or bedding, opt for accent pieces that compliment the furniture and décor. 

Throws and accent pillows are a great way to add a splash of color without overpowering a room.

In this example, the color pallete is neutral with an accent wall that draws the eye into the room. Paired with a matching throw, there is good flow between colors and the different scales of texture in the room.

Impact

While it is usually a good idea to clear as much of your personal belongings away as part of staging, plan to keep some interesting art, or a curated collection of objects for interest and focus. 

Even in a small space, a bare wall is just a bare wall. Use these objects to highlight the room’s great features – such as a mantel or built in shelving or cabinets.

If you are fortunate enough to have tall ceilings, use art as a way to draw the eye up. Vertical height can be a great way to give the illusion of more space.

Windows

Many people are tempted to remove window treatments to make the room feel larger. 

Unless you have a spectacular view that is the focal point, this usually just makes the room look unfinished. Instead use window treatments with crisp clean lines – avoid anything with a lot of volume or billowing draping. 

The best way to be inspired is to look through decorating websites for designs that have similar window style and proportions to yours.

The room at left uses floor-to-ceiling drapes in a pale coordinating color. The compact vertical pleats help the eye travel up and down in the small space.

Lighting

Keep fixtures in proportion to the room. Where possible use accent lighting to highlight the room’s features. 

A minimum of three fixtures will keep the space from feeling claustrophobic. Choose lamps with clean lines and keep volume to a minimum.

For added interest and reflected light, consider using mirrors or reflective objects throughout the room.

The room on the right makes great use of a dramatic pendant, well placed pocket lights and an accent light from below for the vase. 

In addition, the glass cabinet doors add interest and sparkle to the room.

If you are putting your home on the market yourself, rececorating may be a very stressful and unnecessary activity.  In addition, if selling during the holidays isn't something you wish to consider right now, we can help.

If you have come to the realization that it is time to move right now to have a better life, but your house isn’t ready for market, we can help. 

If you are juggling too many responsibilities to sell your house yourself this fall, then there are people who specialize in the sale of properties "as is" - usually within a week to resolve the situation quickly. 

Contact us for details.

Next time we will look at preparing for holiday guests while selling your house.

So thanks for reading my post. I'm so glad you're here! 

And I really look forward to getting into more great stuff in future posts -- so that you can 

Turn Your House To $OLD!

Feel free to ask me any questions through the contact info below. I would be very happy to help.

Linda  623-335-2662

Write to Turn My House To Sold

Turn My House To Sold on Facebook

More Info

_____________

Article Sources:

Lynda Bathory