5 Steps to Sell that Un-Sellable House

When houses don’t sell, everyone is affected. The owner worries that they’ll never get the price they want, the realtor worries about making the sale, and potential buyers fear buying a problem that could be bigger than what’s visible. Wet basements, smelly crawlspaces, damaged foundations, and sinking sidewalks can scare potential buyers away leaving the owners to wonder if their home will ever sell.

Selling the house “as-is” can take away from the sale price of the home and effect the realtor’s bottom line.  Getting an estimate for repairing the home can make the it easier to sell. Fixing wet basements, musty crawl spaces or repairing foundation walls will definitely increase property value and the selling price. Whether you’re the listing agent or represent the buyer, with a written estimate in hand negotiations will go much smoother.

Cracked & sinking concrete slabs around the home can also be a deal killer, but PolyLEVEL, a unique concrete leveling system that is more cost effective then replacing the slab. PolyLEVEL will fix the problem and eliminate trip hazards, usually in one day, to help sell that home.

When faced with a home that seems un-sellable there are two options, drop the price or think about repairs. Just remember to consider these five things when you come up against a home that needs repairs;

1. Get a professional evaluation. Outside French drains are outdated and there is a better way to waterproof a basement. A professional, experienced basement waterproofing and foundation repair company can explain, to both the buyer and the seller, what issues are affecting the home and how to repair them.
2. Don’t ignore the crawl space. Crawl spaces can be breeding grounds for mold and bacteria. The odors generated in this damp environment can leach up into the home creating a musty odor that will turn off potential buyers. There is a solution; Crawl space encapsulation can seal the crawlspace and prevent the growth of bacteria and mold.
3. Consider a dehumidifier. A good dehumidifier can keep the air in the basement or crawl space fresh and odor free.  It’s important to choose a dehumidifier specifically designed for such an environment.  The SaniDry Dehumidification system is a good choice to clean the air and filter out mold spores.
4. Sump Pump and drainage. A good drainage system and sump pump will keep the basement dry all the time. Showing a home will be a breeze when there is an up-to-date basement waterproofing system in place.
5. Transferable Warranty.  All work done by the seller should have a fully transferable warranty for the buyer, including a manufacturer’s warranty for the products used. This will give the new homeowner peace of mind that the work done in the home is backed by a reputable company.

Selling a home can entail a lot of hours and energy for the realtor and can be stressful for the homeowner. Repairing basement leaks, musty crawl spaces, foundation walls and sinking concrete slabs will make the home more attractive to buyers and help you close that sale!  

“Basement” Mike Bonfante is a certified System Design Specialist with Quality 1^st Basement Systems. With over 20 years of experience, he specializes in helping Realtors and homeowners sell their homes while getting the best value for their investment. Quality 1^st Basement Systems offers free estimates and all estimates are given at the time of inspection. For more information, Mike can be reached at 1-732-697-0557 or BasementMike.com.