It’s better to fix up, then sell it ‘as is’

  • By Steve Tytler
  • Saturday, August 28, 2004 9:00pm
  • Local News

Q We want to sell our older home and buy a townhouse or condominium. Frankly, our house is a bit rundown and may be hard to sell. (Don’t tell us to fix it up first, that’s just not our style.) What should we expect from a real estate agent to sell this house?

L.K., Lynnwood

A First of all, it depends on what you mean by “a bit rundown.”

You don’t have to fix up a home to sell it, but the condition of the home will play a significant role in the amount of money you can expect to receive for it.

If you want to sell your home quickly and for a good price, I think you should at least clean it up and make cosmetic repairs. That doesn’t mean you have to do the work yourself. I’m with you – painting and home repairs are not my idea of good time, either.

Time really is money, and I long ago decided that I’d rather spend my money than my time on such chores. It certainly is not the least expensive way to go, but if it gets the job done, that’s all that matters.

You’ve already admitted that the house will be hard to sell because it’s rundown, and most real estate agents will tell you the same thing.

There is a market out there for fixers and handyman specials, but even a good agent can’t work miracles. Sellers often hope that an energetic young couple will come along and see the potential value that can be added to their home through their sweat equity, but the reality is that most home buyers simply do not have that much vision.

As far as the typical home buyer is concerned, “What you see is what you get.” Instead of an exciting opportunity for appreciation, they see a pile of junk.

So that means that the main buyers of fixers are investors and professional contractors who can see past today’s blemishes to visualize the potential profit in the future. But because they are buying strictly for investment return and have no emotional attachment to the property, they will want to buy for a very low price to ensure enough profit margin to make money after they do the repair work.

So what should you do? A good real estate agent should be able to give you a list of suggested improvements that will make your home show and sell better.

Stick to relatively inexpensive cosmetic improvements such as paint and carpet. The house will look and smell clean, and the increase in market value should more than cover the cost.

If you insist on selling your home as is, accept the fact that you will be selling for a lower price than you would get if the home were fixed up, and market the home accordingly.

Advertise it as a fix-me-up special or something like that. Be prepared to deal with investors and savvy home buyers who will try to beat you down on your asking price. Try to find a real estate agent who has experience in marketing these kinds of properties. He or she should have some ideas on how to price the home, where to advertise, etc.

Again, let me emphasize that no matter how good the agent is, he or she will not be able to get a top dollar price for a rundown home. So think it over carefully before you decide to market your home in that condition.

Mail questions to Steve Tytler, The Herald, P.O. Box 930, Everett, WA 98206. Fax questions to Tytler at 425-339-3435, or e-mail him at economy@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

The second floor of the Lynnwood Crisis Center on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Funding gap leaves Lynnwood without a crisis center provider

The idea for the Lynnwood crisis center began in 2021 after a 47-year-old died by suicide while in custody at Lynnwood Municipal Jail.

Three injured after high-speed, head-on collision on Highway 522

Washington State Patrol is investigating the crash that happened before 4:30 p.m. on Monday.

Fernando Espinoza salts the sidewalk along Fifth Avenue South on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Think this is cold, Snohomish County? Wait until Tuesday

Tuesday could bring dangerous wind chill during the day and an overnight low of 19 degrees

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

The Washington State Department of Licensing office is seen in 2018 in Seattle. (Sue Misao / The Herald)
Drivers licensing offices to close Feb. 14-17

Online services are also not available Feb. 10-17. The Washington State Department of Licensing said the move is necessary to upgrade software.

Pharmacist Nisha Mathew prepares a Pfizer COVID booster shot for a patient at Bartell Drugs on Broadway on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett lawmakers back universal health care bill, introduced in Olympia

Proponents say providing health care for all is a “fundamental human right.” Opponents worry about the cost of implementing it.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.