The Ultimate Guide: Profiting from Distressed Housing

Pezon Properties • November 24, 2023

“When investing in real estate, the first question to ask yourself is ‘Do I want to get dirty?’” says Andrew Waite, publisher of Personal Real Estate Investor Magazine. If you have either building skills or a knack for managing contractors, you could pick up a cheap fixer-upper, rehab it, and sell it or rent it out. (1) If you don’t intend to keep the property, you will have to leave and figure out what to do with it. When it comes to leaving a house, the process can be stressful enough without having to worry about how to sell a distressed property. 


Perhaps you purchased a fixer-upper intending to fix and flip it, but life intervened, and you now need to sell the investment property immediately. Perhaps you’ve inherited a difficult or remote property, or you’re facing foreclosure and are looking for any method to preserve your home from being auctioned off. Whatever the reason, before you dive in, it’s critical to understand how distressed property sales differ from typical home sales.

cash home buyer Lancaster

Who Buys Distressed Real Estate?

Distressed properties do offer a chance to save or gain money. These purchases, however, can be dangerous because the cost of repairs can occasionally outweigh the value of the property itself. So, who is looking to buy distressed property? 



  • Vultures - These investors hunt for homes that they can acquire inexpensively since the owners are in financial distress. They are looking for possibilities to profit by purchasing assets at a lower-than-market-value price and then reselling or otherwise utilizing them.
  • House flippers are looking for properties needing work, whether modest tweaks and repairs or substantial construction and remodeling. They either have a construction team or a professional network that enables them to fix up homes more efficiently and affordably than individual homeowners before reselling them. 
  • DIY’ers - The third category includes property owners who engage in “do-it-yourself” projects. This may include persons with the abilities and patience to work on a troubled home and the flexibility in their timeframe and comfort with risk to pursue distressed homes in obvious financial distress.

Tips for Selling a Distressed Property

To assist with the specific elements of distressed property sales, below are the tips to follow when selling a distressed property.

Be Realistic About Your Home’s Value 

A damaged home that requires extensive repairs is unlikely to sell for top value; instead, buyers will anticipate a hefty reduction. Discuss a comparative analysis-based market value with your realtor, and consider a pre-sale inspection and assessment. If you overprice your house, it will languish on the market for a long period; if you underprice it, you may not have room for negotiation with aggressive buyers.

Make Contact with Your Lender 

Don’t close your eyes and hope for the best if your property is in crisis due to mortgage default or foreclosure notifications. Contact your lender to talk through your options and plans, and keep them up to date on your progress. Make a note of each communication, including customer service agent names, and get written confirmation of any decisions or actions.

Do Not Ignore Pre-Sale Preparation 

Even if you decide to sell as-is or must close a distressed sale as soon as possible, think about what you can do to improve the home’s appearance and condition, given your available resources and timetable. Simply removing clutter, cleaning as much as possible, and mowing the yard can significantly increase the value of a home.

Determine Whether to Sell As-Is 

State laws governing as-is property sales may apply, so consult your real estate agent or state legislation. Selling a house as-is typically translates to a possible buyer’s sense of automatic high risk, including the possibility of avoiding a home inspection or repairs negotiation, compared to a traditional listing with terminology such as “fixer-upper” or “handyman’s special.”

Plan your Negotiations Thoroughly

Communicate openly with your lender and real estate agent to compute your true bottom line and avoid reacting emotionally to aggressive negotiations. Before declining offers or requests, consider what you stand to gain and lose and what you can afford. 

Be Forthcoming with Disclosures

What information do you need to reveal when selling a house? In most areas, you are legally required to disclose known faults and issues with a distressed house, and you can be sued if you fail to do so, even if you sell the house “as-is.” Check your state’s seller disclosure duties before beginning the sale process, especially if you live in a highly regulated state or are selling without the assistance of a real estate agent.

Benefits of Selling a Distressed Property to Cash Buyers

Quick and Simple Sale

When you sell a distressed property to a cash home buyer Reading, you can close the transaction considerably faster than when using standard procedures. There is no need to go through the time-consuming procedure of locating a real estate agent, selling the property, and waiting for a buyer. A cash sale can be completed in days, giving you access to the funds you require quickly and conveniently.

There is no Need for Repairs

One of the most significant benefits of selling a distressed house for cash is that you don’t have to invest time or money on repairs. Cash buyers are often prepared to acquire houses in their current state, which means you can sell your property without fixing it up first.

Prevent Foreclosure

If you have difficulty making your mortgage payments, selling your distressed property for cash can be a great strategy to prevent foreclosure. Cash buyers will frequently work with you to negotiate a price, allowing you to pay off your mortgage while leaving you with some money in your pocket.


Avoid Paying Commissions and Fees

Traditional home selling methods can be pricey, with real estate agent commissions, closing charges, and other fees eating into your profits. When you sell your distressed home for cash, you can skip these costs entirely, allowing you to keep a larger portion of the proceeds.

There is No Need to Market your Property

Property marketing can be time-consuming and costly. You don’t have to stress about promoting your troubled property when you sell it to a cash home buyer Lancaster. Because cash purchasers are usually ready and willing to make an offer, you can save the effort of publicizing your home to potential buyers.

Give us a call anytime at 484-484-0971 or fill out this quick form to get started today!

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Mathew Pezon

About the author

Mathew Pezon

Mathew Pezon is the founder and CEO of Pezon Properties, a cash home buying company located in Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania. With several years of experience in the real estate industry, Mathew has become a specialist in helping homeowners sell their properties quickly and efficiently. He takes pride in providing a hassle-free, transparent, and fair home buying experience to his clients. Mathew is also an active member of his local community and is passionate about giving back. Through his company, he has contributed to various charities and causes.

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