You walk around the house and start making a list.
The roof probably needs to be replaced. The kitchen is outdated. There’s a stain on the ceiling from an old leak. The flooring needs work. The yard has gotten away from you.
Pretty soon, a list that started with three things has turned into fifteen.
That’s usually when the bigger question comes up:
Do I really need to fix all of this just to sell the house?
Not necessarily.
We’ve been buying houses in Kenner and throughout the Greater New Orleans area for more than 20 years, and many of the homeowners we work with choose to sell because they simply don’t want to take on another renovation project.
They want to sell the house in its current condition and move forward.
That’s exactly what an as-is sale can allow you to do.
You Can Sell a Kenner House That Needs Work
A house doesn’t have to be completely renovated before it can be sold.
We’ve looked at properties with old roofs, mold, water damage, plumbing problems, outdated electrical systems, termite damage, foundation issues, unfinished renovations, open permits, and years of deferred maintenance.
Some houses need a few repairs.
Others need almost everything.
Neither situation automatically prevents the property from being sold.
In fact, NOLA Buys Houses specifically buys Kenner houses in as-is condition, and our Kenner page states that sellers aren’t required to make repairs before selling to us.
Repairs Can Become a Bigger Project Than Expected
I’ve been around renovations long enough to know that the original repair budget and the final repair bill aren’t always the same number.
That’s especially true when you’re working on a house that hasn’t been updated in a long time.
You think you’re fixing a small roof leak.
Then you discover damaged decking.
Then you find water damage inside.
Then somebody notices another issue.
One repair starts connecting to another.
Before spending that money, I think homeowners should understand what the house may be worth as-is compared with what it could realistically sell for after repairs.
Don’t spend $30,000 just because somebody tells you that you “have to fix the house before you can sell it.”
Get the numbers first.
Selling As-Is Eliminates a Lot of Work
For some sellers, money isn’t even the biggest issue.
It’s time.
Hiring contractors takes time. Getting estimates takes time. Managing the work takes time. Preparing the property for sale takes time.
And if you don’t live at the property anymore, coordinating everything can become another job.
Selling your house as-is gives you another option.
Instead of fixing the property for the next buyer, you sell it in its current condition and let the buyer take responsibility for the renovation after closing.
That’s a big reason homeowners with vacant, inherited, or repair-heavy Kenner houses sometimes choose this route. NOLA Buys Houses has also bought Kenner houses with issues ranging from mold and long-term vacancy to open building permits.
You Don’t Have to Make It Look Perfect
Don’t confuse an as-is sale with a traditional retail listing.
If we’re coming to look at your property, don’t worry because the paint is old or the kitchen cabinets haven’t been updated.
Don’t replace flooring just because it’s ugly.
Don’t renovate the bathroom because you think we’ll like the house better.
We’re looking at the bigger picture.
We consider the property, location, current condition, necessary repairs, and what the house could reasonably be worth after renovation.
Cosmetic problems don’t surprise us. At this point nothing really surprises us!
No Showings to Traditional Buyers
One part of selling a house that people don’t always think about is preparing for showings.
Cleaning, keeping everything presentable, leaving the house while buyers walk through it, and then waiting to hear whether anyone is interested can get frustrating.
When you’re selling directly to us, you’re not hiring us to list the house and repeatedly show it to prospective buyers.
We’re evaluating it because we’re the direct decision maker in us buy buying your house.
For homeowners who value simplicity, that can make a big difference.
No Agent Commissions or Fees From Us
When NOLA Buys Houses purchases a property directly, sellers don’t pay us agent commissions or fees, and we cover the closing costs.
That doesn’t mean an as-is cash offer will be the same as the retail price of a completely renovated house.
It won’t.
We’re buying the property knowing we’ll be responsible for the repairs, holding costs, and work that comes afterward.
The question for the homeowner is whether the convenience, speed, and savings on repairs make sense compared with fixing and listing the property.
That’s the comparison that matters.
We Understand Kenner Properties
Working with someone familiar with the local market matters too.
We’ve spent years buying houses in Kenner and throughout Greater New Orleans. The company’s Kenner service page specifically covers purchases throughout Kenner, including areas such as Chateau Estates and University City.
We understand that every house and every seller’s situation is different.
Maybe you’ve inherited the property.
Maybe it was a rental and you’re tired of being a landlord.
Maybe the house has been vacant.
Maybe there was storm or water damage.
Maybe you’ve already started getting repair estimates and decided you don’t want to go down that road.
Whatever brought you to this point, the first step doesn’t have to be hiring a contractor.
Let Us Look at the House Before You Start Fixing It
This is probably the biggest thing I’d tell a Kenner homeowner considering an as-is sale.
Call us before you start spending money.
You may ultimately decide that making the repairs and listing the house traditionally is your best option.
There’s nothing wrong with that.
But you may also discover that once you consider the repair costs, time, commissions, holding costs, and hassle involved, selling the property as-is makes more sense for your situation.
At NOLA Buys Houses, we’ll look at the property the way it sits.
No need to replace the roof for us.
No need to update the kitchen.
No need to renovate the bathrooms.
No need to make the house perfect.
We’ll evaluate the property, explain what we can offer, and let you decide what works best for you.
Every situation is different.
There’s no pressure or obligation. Sometimes the best thing you can do is understand all your options before spending another dollar on the house.
www.nolabuyshouses.com
504-264-1407