Need Ideas on Selling Crumbling House (RE agent, agent, property, rent)
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First of all, I apologize if this isn't the best forum for this thread.
I recently had to move back in with my mother, and the house is an absolute mess. I've been here for a few months now and I've been trying to help clean it up but it's just a losing battle.
As far as I know of there isn't any major structural damage, but many of the appliances are broken. There is no AC or heat, no water heater, no washing machine, and there are parts of the house the electricity just doesn't work in. The water heater has leaked into the den and there's probably a good bit of water damage. The backyard is overrun by growth and the pool was given up on a long time ago and it is literally a hole in the ground. She had a few animals but I convinced her to surrender the dog who was in pitiful shape but she still has a couple cats that she doesn't want to let go of. I'm trying to deal with that as time passes. The dog was riddled with fleas and ever since getting rid of it they've spread throughout the house and just won't die off no matter what I do. This place is depressing and it's taking its toll on my mother's health, mentally and physically. I just want to help her get the place sold and move into an apartment that would be much easier to take care of.
I should mention that she's had trouble with debt, as well. I don't know if she has liens on the house or not but she told me she would have to pay creditors with the money she got from the house if we could sell it.
My question is, is there any easy way to go about this? The neighborhood is good and the land is probably worth a decent amount by itself. There's barely anything left in this house worth keeping... Is there any sort of company that would be willing to buy the house 'as is' and just let us move on with our lives? My mother has turned to alcohol because of her problems and she's getting worse and worse. I'm afraid I'm going to lose her if I can't get her out of this house soon.
I've thought of places like We Buy Ugly Houses, but I have no idea how reputable they are and I have no idea if they would take the house as is.
You have to weigh the actual value of the home with the amount of your money and energy that you are willing to invest in it. Anyone with good advice will tell you not to put more money into your house than it is worth.
You might be tempted to do it out of respect for your parents but you have to decide whether it's worth it to you.
My mother always said that when tackling a difficult project to start with the easy stuff. You can hire three guys at the corner for cheap and fill a dumpster with weeds and trash over the weekend.
Also, there are creative ways to disguise the pool. It may not be worth fixing.
Remember, you and your children may be the future owners of this property. Do you want it?
I appreciate the reply. As I have said, however, I've kind of given up on redeeming the house. I just want to try to get it sold to anyone who will buy it for enough money to get my mother rent for an apartment for a year. Really wouldn't be asking for a ton of money, I just want to get her out of here. I just recently had to take her to the hospital again because of her depression and drinking so I just want to be able to do something for her ASAP and nothing we can afford to do to this house is going to make it livable.
Whether or not I could be the future owner I'm more concerned with getting my mother into a safer and more livable environment. I want to help her get her life back on track and not have to live somewhere so depressing. If it means having to sell the house for just enough for rent for a year then so be it.
I imagine that the land alone would be enough for that if someone would want to just demolish the house or spend the time fixing it up. But we can't afford to do anything more than a bit of cleaning to the house right now which isn't going to be enough.
So I'm really just looking for any sort of leads to companies that would be willing to buy the place for relatively cheap, enough money to start my mom off somewhere new.
First of all, I apologize if this isn't the best forum for this thread.
I recently had to move back in with my mother, and the house is an absolute mess. I've been here for a few months now and I've been trying to help clean it up but it's just a losing battle.
As far as I know of there isn't any major structural damage, but many of the appliances are broken. There is no AC or heat, no water heater, no washing machine, and there are parts of the house the electricity just doesn't work in. The water heater has leaked into the den and there's probably a good bit of water damage. The backyard is overrun by growth and the pool was given up on a long time ago and it is literally a hole in the ground. She had a few animals but I convinced her to surrender the dog who was in pitiful shape but she still has a couple cats that she doesn't want to let go of. I'm trying to deal with that as time passes. The dog was riddled with fleas and ever since getting rid of it they've spread throughout the house and just won't die off no matter what I do. This place is depressing and it's taking its toll on my mother's health, mentally and physically. I just want to help her get the place sold and move into an apartment that would be much easier to take care of.
I should mention that she's had trouble with debt, as well. I don't know if she has liens on the house or not but she told me she would have to pay creditors with the money she got from the house if we could sell it.
My question is, is there any easy way to go about this? The neighborhood is good and the land is probably worth a decent amount by itself. There's barely anything left in this house worth keeping... Is there any sort of company that would be willing to buy the house 'as is' and just let us move on with our lives? My mother has turned to alcohol because of her problems and she's getting worse and worse. I'm afraid I'm going to lose her if I can't get her out of this house soon.
I've thought of places like We Buy Ugly Houses, but I have no idea how reputable they are and I have no idea if they would take the house as is.
Easy is what started the mess. Easy isn't going to get rid of it.
Instead of easy, take inventory and figure out some reality. You can get things done but if all you're looking for is an easy way out, just walk away.
Ooops, it didn't copy/paste too well. Click on "about us" and then go to "membership directory". Select "single family spec/tract". It's a start. If they're not interested, they should be able to direct you.
Easy is what started the mess. Easy isn't going to get rid of it.
Instead of easy, take inventory and figure out some reality. You can get things done but if all you're looking for is an easy way out, just walk away.
My mother has no money to her name and she lives paycheck to paycheck. I'm not doing much better myself. I understand that things may not be easy but I would appreciate a bit more detailed advice than that.
There is no money to fix any of the appliances, no money to hire any sort of help, and we don't know anyone that could help. My mom's in bad condition and it's because of this house.
Walking away and leaving my mother to rot isn't exactly an option.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Elke Mariotti
Try the local Home Builders Association to contact local builders; there'll be more inclined to have an interest than the big ones. Here's a link:
Ooops, it didn't copy/paste too well. Click on "about us" and then go to "membership directory". Select "single family spec/tract". It's a start. If they're not interested, they should be able to direct you.
I appreciate your help, a lot. It'll definitely be somewhere to start and I thank you for that!
You have a likely flip on your hands. Find a local RE Agent who does them. YOu can tell by going through and looking for places bought and resold in months. Zillow or Trulia will get you there. Then interview a couple three or four and pick one list and sell.
This is all actually easily doable. The only caveat is make sure you know what the place is worth. It may well be more than you think.
YOu also need to get your mother's financial situation straight. For the house a title company can do it. But you need to get the rest straight as well. An accountant once you have some money.
Don't sell to the place you mentioned. As Ivoc says, list it with a realtor. Yes, there are people looking for 'extreme fixers'.
Also, check with your city govenment. Many have zero interest loans available for people in your mom's situation -- elderly or disabled and needing to make essential repairs to keep a house habitable. There are no payments on the loan until the house is sold (e.g. after she moves to an apartment, or after her death, if she stays).
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