Dos and Don’ts of Selling a House as Is in Texas
Discover the essential dos and don’ts of selling a house as is in Texas. Learn the key factors to consider for a successful as-is sale.
Keyword(s): selling a house as is in texas
If you’re aiming to sell your home, you may have a long wait ahead. Research suggests the average house will sit on the market for around 43 days before going under contract. If you have an older, outdated, or deteriorating property, expect that timeline to get even longer!
Fortunately, there’s an easy strategy to help you sell an unwanted home fast: an as-is sale. Selling a house as-is in Texas is a great way to get quick cash and move on, whether you need to relocate for work, get rid of an inherited home, or sell a property that’s been on the market too long.
To avoid common pitfalls, however, it’s crucial to know the dos and don’ts of the average as-is sale. Here are a few tips to keep in mind.
Do Ensure the Buyer Knows
Always include “as-is” in the listing. This explicit mention ensures that the buyer knows the property is a fixer-upper you’ve priced to sell.
Even after placing these descriptions in the listing, double-check that the person buying your property understands what it means to sell in “as-is” condition. Buyers aren’t professionals, and they may not understand that you won’t negotiate over repairs or credits. The final contract will be clear on both sides, but it doesn’t hurt to explain things to potential buyers up front.
This is especially crucial for buyers seeking certain loans. With FHA or VA loans, the lender may not issue a loan for a home in poor condition. Problems like mold or termite damage, for example, may raise a red flag.
Don’t Negotiate Blindly
Even if you sell your property as-is, it’s still crucial to know how much renovation would cost.
Without this information, you’re allowing the buyer to estimate (and sometimes overestimate) the cost of repairs and renovations. During the negotiations, they may point to this inflated price tag and throw out a lowball offer.
When you get estimates on the cost of repairs to sell a house, you arm yourself with knowledge at the negotiating table. This ensures that you can demand a fair price for your property.
If you’re dealing with a buyer who doesn’t know how much repairs would cost, this information can help them as well. Sharing the estimates with a buyer may allow them to work those costs into their budget.
Do Highlight the Best Features
With an as-is sale, it’s more important than usual to highlight the property’s best features. Make sure buyers understand the advantages your home can offer after renovations are complete.
If the property is in a desirable location, has unique amenities or features, or has great views, make sure to share that info! Highlighting what makes your home special can set the property apart from others and attract more buyers.
Don’t Expect a Competitive Price Tag
Never forget that the sale price of your home will be lower than it would be with full repairs, staging, and marketing.
Even if you have a well-sized property in a prime location, you’re unlikely to get a sale price as high as you would if you made repairs and renovations. The time and effort you put into enhancing and showing off your home translates to a higher ROI.
That said, homeowners trying to sell an inherited property or an otherwise unwanted home can often get a great price with an as-is sale, even if it can’t compete with what you’d get with more time and effort!
Do Disclose Problems
Selling a house in poor condition doesn’t mean hiding potential problems.
Before selling, you’ll need to fill out a seller’s disclosure notice. This form warns buyers about any issues you’re aware of with the house.
The form is easy to understand, and it will guide you through documenting any functional or safety defects in your home. With it, you’ll check off and describe any parts of the home that are in poor condition or otherwise need repairs.
There are a few times when you may not need to fill out this real estate disclosure form. If you’re going through a court-ordered sale, for example, the state doesn’t require you to disclose issues.
Don’t Neglect Cash Offers
If you choose to sell to a cash home buyer for a quick sale, you can remove a lot of headaches!
When you work with a cash buyer, you’re choosing an expert who knows exactly what they’re getting. These buyers seek homes that need significant repairs, and they won’t look for any prep or staging. In many cases, you won’t even need to deep clean or declutter the home, which is great when you’re selling an inherited property.
Many cash buyers won’t bother with in-depth negotiations and will provide a fair estimate fast, which can save time. If you live out of state and are selling a house in Texas by owner, this option is often your best bet.
Do Time Your Sale
If you don’t want to make repairs but aren’t in a hurry to sell, consider timing your sale. The market always gets more competitive during the warm months, especially in the summer as families try to settle before school starts. Spring is a good second choice, as many buyers take advantage of the milder weather to tour houses.
The added competition may help you sell your property faster and at a higher price, though this depends on the location and condition of your home as well.
Start Selling a House As-Is in Texas
If your property is in poor condition, selling as-is can be a great, hassle-free way to avoid a lengthy selling timeline. With the tips above, you can navigate the process in no time, allowing you to get cash without risking delays or surprises.
To streamline the process even more, work with the team at Beaumont Cash Home Buyers! Selling a house as is in Texas is easy with our quick and fair cash offers, allowing you to get an estimate within 24 hours and close in as little as seven days. Even better, there are no cleaning expenses, commission fees, or other hidden costs.
To get started, fill out our online form!