Repairs that tend to stall a sale
Some problems make a house hard to sell the traditional way because many buyers' lenders and insurers won't accept them. Common examples include foundation and structural issues, roofs at the end of their life, failing HVAC, old or unsafe wiring, plumbing or sewer line problems, and water damage or mold.
Even when a buyer is willing, an inspection report can lead to repair requests, price renegotiations or a deal that falls apart close to closing.
Your main options
- Fix, then list. This can bring the highest price, but it requires money up front, contractors and time, and costs can run over.
- List as-is. This reaches more buyers than a cash sale, but expect inspection negotiations and buyers whose financing may not work for the condition.
- Sell directly as-is. A cash buyer prices the repairs into the offer, so you skip the repairs, the showings and the financing risk.
Getting a contractor's estimate for the biggest items can help you compare options with real numbers.
Disclosure still matters
Tennessee and Mississippi both have seller disclosure rules for residential property, and selling as-is doesn't erase your obligation to be honest about problems you know about. Share what you know, including past repairs, leaks or insurance claims, and ask a real estate attorney if you're unsure what applies.
How we help
We buy houses with major repairs across the Memphis area, Jackson and DeSoto County. You won't need to fix, clean or stage anything. We'll walk the property once, explain how repairs factor into our number, and give you a no-obligation cash offer.
Not legal advice. This guide is general information only, not legal, tax or financial advice, and laws and procedures change. For advice about your situation, talk with a licensed attorney, tax professional or HUD-approved housing counselor.