Selling a House That Needs Work
When the roof is near the end of its life, the heating system is original, or the foundation has moved, the first question stops being about the sale. It becomes whether to put money and effort into repairs before doing anything else.
Repairing first has its own sequence: quotes from several contractors, permits where structural, electrical, or roofing work calls for them, inspections once the work is done, and carrying costs on the house the whole time. Selling as-is takes that sequence off the front of the process and leaves the house to be described the way it stands today.
Gathering the facts early keeps the choice concrete: the age of the roof and major systems, permits already pulled, repair quotes already received, and any insurance claims.
What this involves
- Disclosure of known material defects is governed by state law, and the duty, the form, and whether a repaired defect still has to be listed all vary by state.
- Work on structure, wiring, plumbing, or a roof can require a permit and a final inspection, so a repair-first plan may include waiting on the building department as well as on contractors.
- A house with open damage, such as a failing roof or exposed wiring, can be hard to insure, and a lender financing a purchase typically sets condition standards the house has to meet.
- A contractor's walk-through can turn up related problems behind walls, under floors, or above ceilings that are not visible from the street.
- Contractor quotes vary by trade, season, and region, and an estimate gathered now may not match one gathered later.
- If the damage came from a fire, flood, or storm, an open insurance claim may affect a sale; the insurer can explain how.
How it works
Describe the house
Share the address and the general condition of the house, in the chat on this site or by phone.
We make the introduction
We share the details you have given us with buyers in your area; that sharing is the introduction.
You decide what happens next
Any offer comes from the buyer after they have seen the house. We take no part in pricing or negotiating.
Frequently asked questions
Does anything have to be repaired before I get in touch?
No. Nothing needs to be repaired, cleaned, or cleared out before you describe the house to us.
Does selling as-is mean I can skip the disclosure forms?
Not necessarily. What as-is means depends on the contract and the state, and it does not by itself remove a seller's duty to disclose known defects where state law imposes one. An attorney who practices real estate law where the property sits can say what applies.
Who decides which repairs are worth doing?
The owner does. Contractors can price the work, the building department can say what needs a permit, and the insurer can say how the condition affects coverage.
How should I describe the condition?
Plainly: what is broken, what has been repaired, and what you are unsure about.