How To Sell An Old House Fast

Some things, like wine, cheese, and comfy jeans, only improve with age. Older houses aren’t always known for fitting that description, but that’s not a cookie-cutter for everyone because some can. Here are some expert tips for selling an older home in Pennsylvania by positioning it as an asset and putting any nervous buyers at ease. 

Any buyer wants to know they’re not inheriting a maintenance headache — and with an older home, that’s a top concern. The property owner may want to hire a home inspector or other specialist before listing so that they can get ahead of any issues that could be deal-breakers. 

About 39% of buyers who recently purchased new homes said they wanted to avoid renovations and problems with plumbing and electricity, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

Property owners looking to sell my house fast Pennsylvania should ensure the old houses are in the following conditions:

• The state of the foundation and basement:
  Aside from looking for any cracks and mold, walk around the main floors. See any bowed walls? Long cracks in the paint? Separated siding? The property owner might need a foundation inspection, which takes about two hours.
• The age and condition of the roof:
  Are there any loose shingles? Leaks? Signs that the roof isn’t level? A roof inspector can check the exterior, as well as the ceilings, walls, and attic.
• How old the plumbing is:
  Does the water look cloudy, or does the home have low water pressure? Copper piping has been around for 80 years and is still considered reliable. Lead pipes are a different story — and any house that’s 60 or older could have some faulty connections, even if the whole house doesn’t need a plumbing overhaul.
• If the wiring needs updating:
  Does the home have grounded outlets? Aluminum or knob-and-tube wiring? An electrical panel that can’t handle Wi-Fi or modern appliances? If the home is 40 years or older (or if the owner added major new appliances in the past decade).
• The size of the utility bills:
  The real estate agent will want to see the past utility bills before listing — and prospective buyers are bound to ask about the cost of heating and air conditioning, for starters. How old is the furnace or HVAC system? Are the windows and doors insulated? The Architectural Collection at Andersen Windows & Doors offers up-to-date interpretations of traditional styles, from Cape Cod to Queen Anne.

One selling point of an older house that we buy houses Allentown PA consider is that its architecture doesn’t resemble current styles. Buyers drawn to these types of properties love the uniqueness and the quirky features, like “witch windows” angled parallel to the roof line, or milk doors: small pass-throughs for a 19th-century milkman to leave the homeowners a daily supply of dairy products.

If the house has some historic value, such as being owned by a prominent citizen, being associated with a significant event, or embodying particular design or construction techniques, so much the better.

Again, if the house happens to have a cold closet — an unrefrigerated closet that nonetheless kept meats, cheese, and veggies cool — that’s a perk for a home chef, a wine connoisseur, or someone with computer equipment that needs to stay chill.

While a property owner will want to emphasize their home’s charming architectural touches, they don’t want buyers to feel like they’re entering a time machine. They might not notice their popcorn ceilings or floral wallpaper in the bathroom anymore, but those types of things leap out at buyers.

Small updates like a coat of paint and new hardware on kitchen cabinets and drawers can help homes look fresh, said PDH Academy, an online continuing education provider for real estate agents, architects, contractors, and other professionals.

So can energy-efficient fixtures like LED lighting. Property owners should try replacing their bulbs with LED ones, like these 60-watt equivalent EcoSmart bulbs that mimic daylight — and help rooms show well in photographs for online listings.

To sell my house fast in Pennsylvania, property owners should pare down the knickknacks and furniture so the house doesn’t look cluttered, and show off any natural materials, advises CasaOne, a furniture rental company with offices nationwide.

For an older home that might be more compartmentalized instead of having an open layout, owners should see if they can designate the function or versatility of certain rooms, such as a home office that doubles as a hobby space or a den for movie marathons.

Homeowners shouldn’t forget to enhance any architectural features, such as using paint to highlight crown molding or wainscoting, a ceiling medallion in an entryway, or a fireplace mantel or ornamental fireplace insert.