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Buying or Selling a Home With Pest Issues Buying a Home With Pest Issues Purchasing a home with pest issues can be a major concern, as pests can cause damage to the structure of the home and create health problems for the occupants. It is important to have a professional pest inspection completed before purchasing a home to identify any existing or potential pest issues. Pest infestations can have serious consequences for the integrity of a home and the health of its occupants. Termites, for example, can cause significant damage to the structural wood of a home if left unchecked. Other pests, such as mice and rats, can damage wiring and insulation, posing a fire hazard. They can also carry diseases, which can be transmitted to humans through bites or contact with contaminated surfaces. It is important to have a professional pest inspection completed before purchasing a home to identify any existing or potential pest issues. A pest inspector will look for signs of infestations, such as droppings, nests, and damage to wood and other building materials. They will also look for potential entry points and conditions that may attract pests, such as excess moisture or standing water. If the inspection reveals the presence of pests, you should consider negotiating with the seller to have the pests treated or for a credit towards the cost of treatment. You may also want to consult with a real estate lawyer to determine your rights and options as a buyer. In addition, you should consider the long-term cost of pest control and make sure it is factored into your budget for maintaining the home. Pest control can be expensive, and it is important to have a plan in place to address any future pest issues. Selling a Home With Pest Issues If you are selling a home that has pest issues, it is important to be proactive in addressing the problem and transparent with potential buyers. Pest infestations can be a major concern for buyers, as pests can cause damage to the structure of the home and create health problems for the occupants. The first step in selling a home with pest issues is to have the pests professionally treated. A pest control company can figure out how bad the problem is and suggest a plan for treatment. Make sure to do what they tell you to do and give the treatment enough time to work. It is also a good idea to have the home re-inspected  to ensure that the pests have been effectively eliminated. Next, it is important to disclose the pest issue to potential buyers. Most states require sellers to tell buyers about any major problems, like pest infestations, that they are aware of. This can be done through a property disclosure statement, which should be provided to potential buyers as part of the home sale process. It’s important to be honest and clear in your disclosure, because not telling the truth about known major flaws can cause legal problems in the future. It is also a good idea to provide documentation of the pest treatment, such as receipts or a certificate of treatment. This will show that you have taken steps to deal with the pest problem, which can help buyers feel less worried. Lastly, you might want to think about giving the buyer a credit toward the cost of future pest control. This can help ease their concerns and make the home more attractive to potential buyers. If you can’t offer credit, you might have to lower the price of the home to make up for the cost of pest control. It is important to be flexible and open to negotiation in order to make the sale. Final Thoughts In the end, whether or not you buy a home with pest problems will depend on your personal situation and how willing you are to take risks. If you are okay with how much it will cost and how much work it will take to get rid of the pests and are sure that the problem can be solved, you might want to think about making the purchase. However, if the pest issue is significant or the cost of treatment is prohibitive, it may be best to look for a home without pest issues.
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Can I Sell my House During Foreclosure Introduction For someone who is unable to keep up with mortgage payments or other liens on the home, the foreclosure process is frequently drawn out and difficult. For those who are currently going through this process, there may be ways to continue without losing everything. Because of this, the people who live in the house can stay there until the dispute is completely settled. The homeowner should stay in their home, talk to a real estate lawyer, and do research to avoid a situation in which debts may still be owed for different reasons. This might result in a better outcome. The house can still be sold for a profit while the foreclosure process is ongoing. The current owner may sell the property for more than what is owed in mortgage payments if the property has not yet been sold through an auction. This would then generate enough income to pay off the mortgage debt and leave money on the table to buy a new home or rent or lease an existing one. This has to be completed, though, before the property is sold at auction to fund the foreclosure process. This calls for prompt action and proper documentation Aspects to Consider with Foreclosure A bank agent who starts the foreclosure process may be contacted by someone who is unable to make the required mortgage or loan payments to keep the account open. The homeowner may have other options, though, as these processes can take months or even years, depending on a number of factors. In some circumstances, the financial lending company may look for an alternative to foreclosure. It’s possible that a payment extension will be given. It might be possible to refinance or make a new payment plan by adding to the original agreement. Before leaving the property to foreclosure, it is best to get in touch and talk with the company to discuss any potential alternate routes. Others look at the contract for the lending facility to see what might be possible based on the fine print. To make sure that the payments are made at a lower interest rate or payment amount, another company may be contacted, or there may be a grace period to get the needed funds. Before taking any other action, it is best to seek the advice of a real estate attorney if this is not possible. He or she might explain that the best course of action might be to sell the property. However, the homeowner might only have a limited amount of time to do so. This means that before continuing with a sale before an auction, he or she should make sure that all of that information is known. Hiring a Real Estate Lawyer or Agent While the home is going through the foreclosure process, a seasoned and knowledgeable real estate agent might be able to get in touch with the lending institution and try to negotiate so that the property has time to sell. This may be a good way for the agent in charge of the case to make sure the homeowner gets their money, even if the bank or another institution won’t work with them. Before the sale can happen, a realtor might need to conduct a market analysis on the property to determine its true value. Then, to bargain with the bank, third-party authorization forms are typically required. In general, it is preferable to sell the house for a profit as opposed to a short sale or auction, where the owner receives nothing after the house is bought by the buyer. Due to the foreclosure process costing the company money and not always recovering all of the money owed, lending institutions believe working with the sale is a better alternative than going through with the foreclosure. It might take 90 to 120 days to complete a short sale in which the owner receives no money. During this time, the homeowner may still be making mortgage payments. Depending on the state in which the house is located, the foreclosure process can take weeks or months to complete. The completion of all paperwork can occasionally take up to or even longer than a year. Depending on the state, the owner usually has up to 90 days to fix a late payment so that the problem can be fixed and business can go on as usual. A realtor or real estate agent should be hired to help sell the house if this is not possible. A real estate lawyer should be hired to handle these things from start to finish to make sure that everything is valid, legal, and done the right way.
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Closing Costs – What to Expect When you sell your house, there are many hidden closing costs that can eat into your profits. This article highlights what those common closing costs are. From agent commissions to transfer taxes, it’s important to be aware of all the potential expenses. One of the biggest costs you can expect is the real estate commission. This is a fee paid to the agent who represents the buyer. The commission is typically a percentage of the sale price, so it can add up to a significant amount of money. Fortunately, many closing costs are tax-deductible, and they can be offset against the proceeds of the sale. However, it’s important to be aware of all the potential costs involved so you can budget accordingly. Below are some of the most common closing costs and how you can budget accordingly: Agent commissions: Realtor commissions are the fees real estate agents charge for their services. The fee is typically a percentage of the total sale price of the home, and it is paid at closing. While realtor commissions can vary depending on the agent and the market, they are typically around 5-6% of the sale price. For example, on a $200,000 home, the realtor commission would be $10,000-$12,000. Realtor commissions are negotiable, and some sellers may negotiate a lower rate. However, it is important to remember that the real estate agent is providing a valuable service and is entitled to fair compensation. It is important to understand realtor commissions so you can factor it into your budget. Appraisal fee:  A home appraisal is an important part of the closing process on your home purchase. The appraiser will visit the property and assess the value of the home, taking into account factors such as the location, condition of the property, and recent comparable sales in the area. This appraisal will be used to determine the amount of closing costs that the buyer will need to pay. In some cases, the appraised value of the home may be lower than the purchase price, in which case the buyer may need to negotiate with the seller to bring the price down to match the appraisal. In other cases, the appraised value may be higher than the asking price, giving the buyer some negotiating power when it comes to closing costs. Either way, it is important to have a clear understanding of your home’s value before heading into closing. Legal fees: You may need to hire a lawyer to handle the legal aspects of your sale, or if you are selling directly to a buyer.. Their fees will vary depending on the complexity of the transaction and the location of the property. In some cases, the seller is responsible for paying all the legal fees associated with the sale, this includes any fees associated with the transfer of ownership of the property. Title insurance: This is a type of insurance that protects the seller against any claims made on the title to your property. It is typically required by the lender if you have a mortgage. The exact amount you will pay as a seller will depend on the specifics of your title insurance policy. However, knowing the typical closing costs can help make sure you’re not caught off guard. Mortgage discharge fee: If you have a mortgage on the property, you will need to pay a fee to have it discharged. This fee is typically around $200-$300. These fees are a common closing cost associated with refinancing your home. Discharge fees are paid to the lender to cancel an existing mortgage and create a new one. The fee is typically a percentage of the total loan amount but can vary depending on the lender. Be sure to ask about the fee and get an estimate from your lender before making any decisions about refinancing. Property taxes: One often forgotten potential closing cost is property taxes. Depending on the location of the property and the value of the home, property taxes can be quite expensive. In some cases, they can even exceed the mortgage payments! As a result, it’s important to be aware of the property tax situation before you purchase a property because they must be paid in full before the sale can be completed. Credit report: One cost that is often overlooked is the cost of ordering a credit report. A credit report is necessary because lenders use credit report scores to determine if buyers qualify for a loan and what interest rate they receive. While the cost of ordering a credit report may seem insignificant, it can add up – especially if you’re closing on multiple properties. For example, if you’re closing on a home and an investment property, you’ll need to order two credit reports. The cost of ordering two credit reports can range from $30-$50, depending on the provider. Pest inspection: A pest inspection can help identify any potential problem areas like termites and dry rot from pests, which could lead to costly repairs down the road. This will help uncover any hidden issues and help you with negotiating repairs or treatment prior to closing. Recording fees: To finalize the sale, you will need to pay recording fees. This amount is charged by your local government for registering the deed to your new home. Utility bills: Any outstanding utility bills will need to be paid before the property changes hands. These are the fees associated with finalizing the purchase, and they can add up quickly. utility bills are one of the most common closing costs. If you’re buying a home that is already occupied, you’ll need to pay for the utilities that have been used, through the date of closing. This can include things like electricity, gas, water, and trash service. In some cases, you may also be responsible for paying the seller’s utility bills if they haven’t been paid up to date to ensure you can have services turned on in your name. As you can see, there are a number of different closing costs that can add up when selling your house. It’s important to be aware of all of them so that you can budget accordingly and avoid any nasty surprises at the end of the process.

Should I Sell My House “As-Is” or Fix It Up

Consider This

Before offering a house for sale, many homeowners spend too much money doing repairs. They fix problems that some buyers might neglect or just decide to not pay to get fixed. Take the following into consideration before deciding to make any repairs.

Selling a House “As-Is”

Selling a home “as-is” suggests that you won’t do any repairs and that the potential buyer will take ownership of the house as-is in its current condition. The seller will not make any repairs or offer any credits to make up for the problem. Even if a home inspector finds that the foundation is unstable and the roof is close to collapsing.

”As-is” Doesn’t Mean Falling Down

Selling your home “as-is” does not mean that the property is in desperate condition. Sometimes the home requires minor cosmetic changes like repainting the walls or repairing holes in the walls or ceiling. Selling your house “as-is” may appeal to more people than you expect.

Know Your Potential Buyers

Homes that have been neglected typically don’t appeal to the mass market. A first-time buyer won’t be in favor of buying a house with a leaking roof for instance.

However, house flippers look for homes that require repairs. They hope to buy the property at less than fair market value, fix it up, and resell it for a profit. Investors in your region might leap at the chance to acquire your home if the repairs are simple but too much for you to do alone.

You might find a customer who wants a fixer-upper. They might want to personalize or make their own. Simply because properties marketed “as-is” are easier to renovate. Similar to investors, some mass-market buyers may buy a house with a strong foundation but a run-down exterior if they can get it for a good deal. They will have their dream home after removing a few walls here and there, renovating the kitchen, and changing some light fixtures. All for a price significantly less than they would pay had they built it from the ground up.

Even if you don’t fix your house entirely, you will still have people who would be interested in buying your property.

However, with selling a home “as-is” comes one downside. You cannot expect a lot of money.

You Won’t Avoid Negotiation Even When You Decide to Sell Your Home “As-Is”

An aging home frequently draws builders or investors eager to demo the property and build a brand-new house. If you plan to work with a wholesaler or house flipper, find one who has had great success selling homes similar to yours, in your particular neighborhood of the city. Check how long comparable properties have been on the market before selling, what sorts of homes are selling quickly? In what condition, and which neighborhoods are the most desirable, are some useful questions to ask.

Together, you can decide how much your house is worth and bargain for a better deal.

What Losses Can I Expect if I Sell My House “As-Is”?

While move-in-ready homes sold for an average of 25% higher than fixer-upper homes in 2021 (also known as a property that sold as is). This is something to consider if you are in the market to sell your home “as is.”

Mathematically, there are occasions when selling a home as-is makes more sense than making changes to increase its value.

Mark, for instance, is moving to another state, and he must sell his house in Cincinnati, Ohio. His home requires a new roof, exterior painting, carpeting, and foundation work. He’s trying to decide if he should fix it up to sell it for more money or sell it as is.

Mark’s house is worth $200,000 as-is. A move-in-ready property in Cincinnati costs around 7% more than a fixer-upper. He might get $214,000 for his home if he performed the necessary repairs. A $14,000 increase sounds great, doesn’t it?

But let’s look at how much repairs would cost him:

  • Roof replacement: $5,600 to $11,8004
  • Exterior paint: $1,800 to $4,300
  • Carpet: $800 to $2,800
  • Foundation repairs: $2,100 to $7,400

Mark will still need to spend $10,300 on repairs, so even if he only pays the very minimum, his profit at closing will only increase by $3,700. Mark will spend $26,300 on higher-end renovations, which means he will lose $12,000 in his attempt to have his house move-in ready, not to mention the time and energy lost.

Mark’s situation would mean that the repairs wouldn’t even be worthwhile. Your situation, though, might be a little different. You should research the prices of comparable move-in ready homes and as-is homes in your neighborhood. It wouldn’t hurt to get estimates from a few contractors and look into those repairs if there is a significant difference between the two figures.

Selling your home as-is can be your best option. If you don’t have the resources to do necessary home repairs.

Fixing Up Your Home Before Selling It

Certain improvements are more profitable than others. Make a list of all the repairs your home needs and then decide which ones will add the greatest value. This will help you determine which should be the top priorities. To help you prioritize, speaking with a real estate agent is helpful.

Estimate How Much Work, Money, and Time an Update Could Require.

Seek out a professional—or better yet, from several professionals. How much repair and maintenance would be necessary to improve the home’s value. Does the home require a complete kitchen and bathroom renovation or just a basic cleaning? What’s more, do you have the resources—money, time, and patience—to carry the project through?

If you decide to fix up your home before selling it don’t forget to calculate the expense of maintaining the house while improvements are being done. You may need to relocate while your property is being renovated. The factor that costs into your budget. The cost will depend on how big your renovation is.

Common Home Improvements You Can Make Before Selling

Some repairs that will add more value to your property include:

  • Replacing broken window glass
  • Repairing the HVAC system
  • Fixing leaky plumbing
  • Repairing any holes in the walls and ceilings
  • Replacing broken appliances
  • Getting electrical systems up to code
  • Laying down a fresh coat of paint

You shouldn’t decide to sell your house “as-is” or to make renovations without getting a real estate agent’s professional judgment. They will be able to swiftly and readily spot improvements that will significantly increase the worth of your house, without requiring you to spend all of your cash on repairs.

Your realtor can assist you in navigating the complicated home selling process and make it a much more enjoyable experience. Whether you decide to make pre-sale renovations or sell your house “as-is.”

Fair Property Buyers buys homes for cash, as is.  Our buyers will make a fair assessment of the value of your home.  You will find that the amount of time it takes to sell your home may vary, depending on many factors such as the condition, neighborhood, market conditions and your timeline. Working with a cash buyer like us, you can have your house sold and have cash in hand in as little as 3 days.  Keep in mind that you are never obligated to take any offer from a buyer.  Our experienced local home buying experts will make a no obligation fair “as-is” cash offer.

Greg Bilbro

Greg Bilbro

Greg Bilbro is the CEO and co-founder of GeoFlip. After a decade of successfully flipping hundreds of distressed residential properties himself, Bilbro founded GeoFlip. His single focus is to deliver in-bound leads and build 7-figure results for REI's nationwide. His history of 20+ years as principal buyer, 10+ years generating leads and 2,600 Conversion Coaching hours makes him an authority in the lead gen space. Prior to entering the real estate space, Bilbro was a Series 7 and 63 securities and registered investment advisor with New York Life and NYLife Securities. Soon after being named “Rookie of the Year”, he was promoted to become the youngest Partner nationwide at New York Life at just 25 years old. Bilbro is a native of Texas and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from the University of New Mexico. He currently hangs his hat in Scottsdale, Arizona with his sidekick Frenchie, “Bity.”

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