11 Things to Do When Selling a Fixer-Upper

1. Thoroughly Assess the Situation

• Do a full inventory of what needs to be done before the house could be considered sales-worthy
  • You won’t do all this work yourself, but you should be able to answer buyer questions at least
• Price those repairs

2. Do Your Research Before Deciding to Sell As-Is

• Would it be worth making the repairs yourself?
• Could you tap into a refinancing program?
• What about a home equity loan or line of credit?

3. Work with an Experienced Agent

• Selling a fixer-upper is not a good time to work with a brand-new agent
• Find someone familiar with the challenges involved and a realistic, reasonable plan
• Get referrals from friends, neighbors, general contractors 

4. Consider the Pool of Possible Buyers

• You might find some buyers specifically seeking a house they can remodel
• Investors and contractors might also be possibilities

5. Highlight the Location’s Benefits

• Is it in a stellar school district?
• Is it located near an interesting or prominent landmark?
• Is it within walking distance of a sports field or arena?
• Is it near a natural resource or trailhead?

6. And Promote the Home’s Standout Features

• Original flooring in great condition
• A larger-than-usual lot
• A gorgeous garden or backyard
• A quaint original kitchen
• Anything that sets your home apart in a good way

7. Spit and Polish Goes a Long Way

• There’s a lot you can do to make your place appear presentable and attractive
• Get rid of any piles of trash, broken appliances, cars
• Clean the windows and walls
• Eliminate cobwebs
• Scrub the floors
• Polish all appliances
• Remove drain clogs

8. Make as Many Small Fixes as Possible

• Repair leaky pipes
• Paint over water stains
• Replace torn screens
• Fix broken drawers and shelves
• Fix broken windows

9. Enhance Curb Appeal

• Water and mow the lawn
• Plant flowers
• Hang wind chimes and put out some rocking chairs
• Purchase solar lights for path or driveway
• Trim shrubs or trees
• Fertilize grass

10. Price Competitively – the Most Important Step!

• Get an experienced agent’s opinion
• Investors and buyers will want to get a deal for an as-is home
• Figure out what you can realistically expect

11. Be Upfront About Necessary Work

• There will probably be an inspection
• Be honest if the buyer asks you a question
• Consider hiring an inspector before you list so there are fewer surprises