Selling a Home

Selling a House in Poor Condition: What You Should Know

Selling a House in Poor Condition: What You Should Know

If you’re planning on selling a house in poor condition, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. But there’s some good news too: You have plenty of options to consider.

Before committing to a course of action, it’s crucial to consider three factors:

  • How bad your home’s condition is
  • How quickly you need to sell
  • Your financial goals

If you’re planning to sell a home in poor condition, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. But there’s some good news too: You have plenty of options to consider.

Overall, homeowners who can afford to make repairs before listing their homes will generally net the most profit. But there are also options available for those who need to sell fast or who don’t want to make repairs.

Should I make repairs before selling?

The truth is: it depends.

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We spoke with experienced real estate agents who help their clients weigh the pros and cons of investing in repairs. They agreed that the best repair option will depend on a number of factors, including what’s standard in your neighborhood.

In general, repairs can be worthwhile when they bring your home up to the standards buyers expect in your area. For example, if every comparable listing has a kitchen that’s been updated in the past five years and yours dates back to the 1970s, an upgrade may help you compete.

If your home is uninhabitable in its current condition — for example, if it has a cracked foundation or faulty plumbing — a typical buyer may not be able to secure financing to buy it. These major repairs come with a hefty price tag, but they can dramatically expand the pool of potential buyers.

Hypothetical scenarios aside, your budget will ultimately dictate which repairs you can actually afford to complete before attempting to sell your home.


Want to sell your home faster AND save on commission fees? Beycome can show you how to sell your house without realtor fees.

Disclosure & Disclaimer

Beycome provides real estate services through affiliated licensed brokerages and has a commercial interest in the services and business models discussed on this blog. Content reflects Beycome’s perspective and may promote our services; it should not be treated as independent or neutral reporting.

Articles are provided for general informational and educational purposes only, not as financial, tax, legal, or investment advice or a recommendation for your particular situation. Reading this blog does not create a brokerage, advisory, or other professional relationship.

Information, opinions, pricing, service descriptions, and comparisons reflect the sources and information available when an article was published or last updated and may change. Although we aim for accuracy, we do not guarantee that all content is complete, current, or applicable to your circumstances. Laws, market conditions, and service availability vary by location. Examples and estimated savings are illustrative, depend on stated assumptions, and do not guarantee individual results.

Verify relevant information directly and consult qualified professionals before making decisions. Beycome services are subject to applicable agreements, eligibility requirements, and state-specific terms.

Nico is the founder and CEO of beycome, the flat-fee brokerage he started so people could sell a home without handing over a commission. beycome is licensed in 19 states and Washington, D.C., lists homes on the MLS for a flat fee, and pays buyers back up to 2% at closing.

How much can you save selling and buying with Beycome?

If you sell a $400,000 home, you save up to $20,000 compared to a traditional way. And if you buy your next place with us, you also get 2% back at closing. Seriously.