How to sell a fixer-upper house in Atlanta
Atlanta is often a seller’s market, making it a great time to sell a house that needs some TLC.
Demand often outpaces supply in the Atlanta housing market, and that means it may be a good time to sell your fixer-upper house. According to the president and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties, “Atlanta, like many cities, is facing a shortage of available homes compared to the demand, leading to increased competition among buyers and ultimately driving prices up. Lawrence Yun, the NAR [National Association of Realtors®] chief economist, predicts a 2.6% increase in home prices for 2024, underscoring the overall lack of housing supply.”
As demand continues to exceed supply, people may be more open to buying a house that needs some repairs.
Making some minor repairs may help you sell your Atlanta fixer-upper house.
Selling your house may be easier if you make a few tweaks in preparation for putting it on the market. The following are some ways to refresh your house without spending a lot of money or time.
- Power wash your house, driveway, and sidewalk.
- Paint the front door.
- Clean the windows inside and out.
- Remove old window treatments and let the sunshine in.
- Clean out the gutters.
- Remove personal items from the house and rid it of clutter.
- Mow the grass, trim hedges, and plant some flowers close to the front door.
- Make your porch or entryway clean and welcoming.
- Clean the inside of your entire house, focusing on bathrooms and the kitchen.
- Open windows and air out the house.
Making repairs before selling yourhouse, even small ones, can make a difference.
Let sellers know about the house’s issues from the beginning.
If you list your Atlanta house on the market “as is,” potential buyers will know that the house has issues they will have to deal with if they buy it. Being upfront about repairs can cut down on concessions and negotiations. Interested buyers will know that what they see, and what the inspection reveals, is what they will get. The house issues are baked into the pricing of the house.
In Georgia, a Statement of Disclosure is not required by law. Even so, the homeowner should list all known house issues on the form and give it to the buyer. Not doing so may lead to legal consequences down the road.
Hire an excellent real estate agent
The experience that a real estate agent brings to selling a fixer-upper house is valuable. They will know how to price the house and market it in creative ways. For example, some upbeat terms an agent may use when marketing this type of property would be phrases like, “It has great bones” or “It’s a handyman’s special.” Real estate agents also take care of other tasks such as conducting open houses, advising on staging and photography, and taking care of all the complicated paperwork for closing.
Staging your Atlanta house can give it a boost in attractiveness.
Staging a house means hiring a professional company to furnish and decorate your house temporarily so it can be shown to potential buyers. This gives a good impression of your home even if it needs some work. Staging usually has a good return on investment. According to Forbes, “More than 80% of real estate agents representing buyers said staging made it easier for their buyers to see themselves in the home, according to a 2021 survey by the NAR. And 23% of agents said that home staging led to increased offers between 1% and 5% compared to similar homes that weren’t staged.”
Houses that have been staged sell up to 50% faster than houses that aren’t staged, according to HomeAdvisor. Per Realtor.com, “As a general rule of thumb, the average cost for most stagers is $300 to $600 for an initial design consultation, and $500 to $600 per month per staged room.” Be sure to have professional photographs taken of your staged home for listing on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS).
Sell your fixer-upper house to a reputable off-market house buyer and avoid hassles.
When you work with a good off-market house buyer like We Buy Ugly Houses® in Atlanta, selling a house that needs major repairs or has code violations becomes a whole lot easier.
We Buy Ugly Houses has bought more than 150,000 homes since the company was launched in 1996 and has earned excellent reviews. Our specialty is buying houses that need some work, as we believe every house has potential, even ones that need major repairs, like fire-damaged houses or a home with a cracked foundation.
Selling to We Buy Ugly Houses allows you to skip all the hassles of a traditional sale such as staging, open houses, photography sessions, and marketing. Since we buy houses “as is,” you don’t have to make any repairs or even clean. Simply contact us to get a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our property buyers. We’ll take a tour and answer your questions—sometimes, we can make you an offer on the same day. If you accept our offer, we will do our best to work on a closing timeline that meets your needs. Contact us to learn more about selling your house to us “as is.”
This blog is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice.
