It’s hard out here for a proprietor. You may find buying an out-of-state home beneficial if you live in an expensive area and can only afford to rent or want to diversify your investments. You may also find yourself suddenly bestowed with an inherited house in another state with no idea what to do with it or how to take care of it. Things can come up at an out-of-state property, such as routine maintenance or emergency repairs, that are hard to manage from far away. You can do your best to handle the issues from where you live, or you can start looking for alternatives.
Here’s what to do if your out-of-state property needs repairs, how to control the situation from a distance, and what to do if you just don’t want to deal with it and you want to sell the home from out of state.
- Selling an Out-of-State Home That Needs Repairs
- Managing Out-of-State Home Repairs from Afar
- Selling a Home from Out of State without Making Repairs
- How to Sell a House from Out of State: 10 Tips
Selling an Out-of-State Home That Needs Repairs
Being able to take care of repairs on a property while living in another state depends on the funds and effort you’re willing to put into the project. If you have major repairs to do, and you have the time and money to spend, go ahead and get the big issues taken care of. If you decide to sell, your future buyer will be pleased they don’t have to deal with any huge renovations and can move into or rent the home immediately.
If you have minor repairs to address, knocking out these little problems will take up less time and not cost as much money. You may even be able to find a buyer who is looking for a project and willing to do the heavy lifting to make the house their own. If the repairs are non-negotiable, those are likely major safety issues that will stand in the way of a sale. It’s best to take care of these repairs while you can. Otherwise, you will probably struggle to find a buyer or risk a deal falling through.
Managing Out-of-State Home Repairs from Afar
Unless “out of state” just means a short drive for you across the state line, you need to plan on spending some substantial time on the property in order to do the work. Or you could hire someone to do the work for you. If you can’t or don’t want to do the repairs yourself, you can look into recruiting workers (e.g., a property manager, contractor, electrician, plumber, etc.) to get the job done.
Even though you’re not directly involved in the renovations, you need to make an occasional visit to the out-of-state property to make sure progress is being made and an inspection is done after the work is finished. In the end, you must ensure that everything is up to code with the various property, homeowner, rental property, and landlord laws in the state.
Selling a Home from Out of State without Making Repairs
When you don’t want the property anymore and doing repairs to sell it at a good price is just not feasible, you have to sell as-is. This means you will have to price the home low so that potential buyers see it as a good deal.
Selling out-of-state property by listing it the traditional way on the real estate market may take weeks, months, or even years if the home is not in good shape. You may be able to find someone who wants to buy a fixer-upper, especially if your home is in a popular neighborhood. But who knows how long that could take?
Instead, consider working with an investor who will purchase your home for cash. It’s a quick process that takes the property off your hands and can be done even if you live in another state.
How to Sell a House from Out of State: 10 Tips
1. Understand Local Market Trends
Before selling your out-of-state property, research the real estate market in that area. The housing market can vary greatly depending on location, and knowing whether it's a buyer's or seller's market can help you set realistic expectations. If you're not familiar with the area, rely on online resources or contact a local real estate expert. Keep in mind that waiting for the "perfect" time to sell can take months, and market shifts may occur, making the process even more complicated.
2. Accurately Price Your Property
Setting the right price is crucial when selling a house, especially from out of state. If you list too high, you risk scaring off potential buyers. Too low, and you're leaving money on the table. Determining a fair market value requires research or hiring an appraiser, but this can be a costly and time-consuming process.
3. Declutter & Stage the Home from Afar
Even if you’re not physically in the state, staging the house can make a big difference. However, managing this remotely can be tricky. You might need to hire a professional staging company or at least pay for someone to clean and declutter the space. These expenses can add up, and when you’re working from a distance, there’s always the risk of something being missed.
4. Consider Your Legal Obligations
Selling property in another state requires a good understanding of state-specific real estate laws. You might need a real estate attorney to handle legal documents and ensure compliance with local regulations. These legal fees can stack up quickly, and not being on-site to oversee the process can lead to missed deadlines or unexpected complications.
5. Hire a Trustworthy Property Manager
If your property is still occupied or needs repairs before selling, hiring a property manager can be an option. A property manager will oversee everything from maintenance to tenant concerns, but this is an ongoing cost and adds another layer of complexity to the sale.
6. Coordinate Showings & Inspections
Arranging for property showings and inspections from another state can be stressful. You’ll need someone on the ground to let prospective buyers or inspectors into the home and ensure that the property is presented well. If you don’t have someone you trust nearby, this can delay the sale or lead to issues.
7. Handle Repairs Strategically
While doing repairs may increase the home's value, the logistics of organizing repairs remotely can be overwhelming. Dealing with contractors, permits, and timelines when you aren’t on-site often results in delays or unexpected costs.
8. Minimize Time Spent on Closing Logistics
Once you have a buyer, the closing process can be time-consuming, especially from out of state. There are numerous documents to sign, and it often requires in-person visits to notaries or attorneys.
9. Be Prepared for Unexpected Costs
When selling a home, costs can add up quickly—especially from out of state. From property taxes and utilities to homeowner’s insurance and maintenance, you may find yourself paying for a property long after you’ve put it on the market. These carrying costs can be a financial burden, especially if the property doesn’t sell quickly.
10. Streamline the Process with a Cash Sale
At the end of the day, the simplest way to sell your out-of-state home is through a cash sale. Listing on the traditional market may seem like a good idea, but it often results in long delays, complicated negotiations, and numerous expenses. With New Again Houses, you can sell the home quickly without having to make repairs, stage the property, or deal with inspections. The transaction is simple, and the cash offer helps you avoid the long process of selling through a real estate agent.
Trying to Sell a House from Out of State? Contact the Cash Home Buyers at New Again Houses Today!
Now you know what to do if your out-of-state property needs repairs, how to manage the work from far away, and why offloading the home in a hurry may be the better option. Attempting to take care of a home from a distance is difficult. A cash buyer can purchase your house—even if you don’t live in the area—and relieve you of the responsibility of repairs and homeownership. It doesn’t matter what condition the place is in.
Contact New Again Houses today if you’re interested in selling out-of-state property. We can give you a fast and fair cash offer that may help make your decision easier.
