A Judgment-Free Guide to Selling a House in Poor Condition
If your house has broken shutters, stained carpet, and a leaky roof, you’re not alone. According to the latest American Community Survey data, a typical U.S. home was built over 40 years ago. Homes get lived in, and things break or wear out. Repairs are needed, but the average home maintenance costs alone can add up.
But what if you want to sell your home and can’t afford to make all the repairs, or lack the time, energy, or desire to get it ready to list on the market? Selling a house in poor condition can be challenging, but it’s doable.
In this guide, we’ll help you evaluate what kind of shape your house is actually in, and determine which repairs and updates you should make.
We spoke to top-selling agents Brandi Abram of Lawrence, Kansas and Jeff Lurie of Suffolk, Virginia for expert insights on selling a house in poor or questionable condition.
Inspection Misconception
It’s important to discuss something we will call the “Inspection Misconception.”
When a buyer requests a home inspection, the inspector comes to the home and inspects it. The inspection takes two to four hours, and the inspector looks at practically everything. They crawl through the crawlspace, walk across the roof, turn on lights, check for signs of mold, and more.
But when they’re done, they don’t rate the house as “pass” or “fail.” And they don’t check a box that says “poor condition.” So, determining what poor condition means depends on several factors.
So let’s take a closer look at what poor condition could mean for your property.
