Selling a property is already a stressful process for homeowners. And let’s be honest, it can be even more intimidating to go on the market if your house isn’t among the prettiest in your neighborhood. In this article, we will give you some effective tips on how to sell an ugly house in Los Angeles, and get a good deal for it despite the poor condition.

What is an ugly house?

Before we dive into our tips on how to sell an ugly house in Los Angeles, let’s explain what this term means exactly.

While the term “ugly house” isn’t an official term in Real Estate, it often refers to properties that are not in a living condition, or ones that have cosmetic issues which may deter potential buyers from purchasing them at a market price. However, the term is even more complex than you may be thinking.

Put simply, an ugly house can mean a lot of different things:

• A property that has structural problems, such as a cracked foundation;
• It can also mean a house in an undesirable neighborhood, such as one that’s high in crime;
• The property has unattractive mortgage terms, high-interest rates, or high-payments;
• The mortgage balance of the house exceeds its market value;
• A house that’s located in an area that’s prone to weather damage, such as flood plains;

In other words, ugly houses can be ones that are in poor physical (or visual) condition, but the meaning of the term can also extend beyond this initial definition. Overall, it can refer to anything that can make the house appear unattractive in the eyes of potential buyers, often decreasing its value on the market.

How to sell an ugly house in Los Angeles

Why do people sell their ugly houses

Of course, if you are looking to sell an ugly house in Los Angeles, it’s also quite insightful to take a look at some of the most popular reasons why people want to sell their ugly houses. Needless to say, there can be multiple reasons why, so let’s sum them up:

Retiring or downsizing

When people reach a certain age, they are typically looking to downsize – especially if most of their family has left the house. Retiring or downsizing is a common reason why homeowners want to get rid of their ugly property.

Relocation

Another common reason why people may want to sell an ugly house in Los Angeles is because they are relocating to a different state or country. Because they can’t take care of the property or don’t need it any more, they may want to sell as fast as possible.

Facing foreclosure

Foreclosure is also among the most popular reasons why someone may want to sell their ugly house soon rather than later. When it comes to foreclosures, the time pressure may require you to act fast.

As a result, many people either don’t have the time nor the money to do major repairs and put the house in a marketable condition, so they are looking to sell it as is.

Liquidation of assets

A lot of homeowners may want to sell an ugly house in Los Angeles because they need to liquidate their assets and get money fast. People that are facing financial issues typically don’t have the budget to do any kind of repairs on their property, so they will have to sell it in its current condition.

Not wanting to spend money into repairs

Of course, homeowners don’t need to face a particular problem in their life in order to sell an ugly house in Los Angeles. Many of them simply don’t want to pour money into repairs if they can simply get rid of the house altogether.

1. Focus on the good features of your property

No matter in what condition your property is, there are always good sides to it that a lot of potential buyers might be able to appreciate. This can be anything from spacious rooms to the number of bathrooms or the terrain itself. The house may have a big patio or a terrace that other houses in the neighborhood don’t offer.

The point is, always pay attention to the redeeming aspects of the property. There can be features that are already in good form or look attractive for potential buyers while deflecting the attention away from the features of the property that are in poor conditions.

Of course, it doesn’t mean that in order to sell an ugly house in Los Angeles, you should hide the negative parts of the property with whatever you found is positive. Make sure to be honest and transparent, but don’t forget to highlight what’s worth it as well.

2. Highlight the location of the property

In addition to the house itself, location is one of the most essential aspects that potential buyers will evaluate before purchasing the property. If you are trying to sell an ugly house in Los Angeles, make sure that you consider everything that the neighborhood has to offer.

For example, some of the top-selling neighborhoods in Los Angeles, according to ApartmentList, include:

• Studio City
• Reseda
• West Hills
• Granada Hills
• Chatsworth
• Sylmar
• San Pedro
• Encino
• Sherman Oaks
• Woodland Hills

However, when talking about location, we don’t only mean the neighborhood itself as a physical location. Potential homeowners are also looking at other factors to decide their most desired neighborhoods, such as the proximity to parks, train stations, shopping centers, and more.

For example, according to a poll conducted by First Tuesday Journal, these are the most important neighborhood features for future homebuyers:

• Low crime rates and safe communities
• Quality school districts
• Proximity to work
• Proximity to shopping and dining
• Availability of mass transit
• Age of development

If you live in a residential area, make sure to put the focus on the local school district, play areas for children, and of course, a sense of community.

You can even create a list of nightlife, dining, and entertainment places for potential buyers so you can show them clearly why your ugly house is in a great location, and they shouldn’t sleep on it.

3. Help potential buyers with an estimate for repairs

Even if you don’t have the budget, or you don’t want to do the repairs yourself before selling the house, it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t take them into account.

In fact, it can be easier to sell an ugly house in Los Angeles if you are able to give potential buyers a good perspective of how much they can expect to pay on minor and major repairs if they were to purchase the property and invest money on improving its living condition.

Sometimes, homebuyers may deflect from a property if it’s in a very poor condition as they will feel intimidated by how much they would have to pay on repairs.

Preparing an estimate for them can be a great way in keeping their attention and ensuring them that they won’t have to spend that much as initially expected.

Of course, this isn’t the only way to sell an ugly house in Los Angeles. You can also do with a professional cash homebuyer such as Ultra Home Buyers – in this case, you won’t have to worry about repairs at all. We will buy your house as is, and we will take everything so you don’t have to.

4. Leverage the power of social media

According to Statista, more than 4.4 billion people are using at least one social media channel globally. With this mind-blowing number in mind, it is no surprise that social media is extremely powerful for spreading the word out there, and you can leverage this power to give visibility to your property.

If you don’t know how to approach buyers, especially if you feel intimidated about the condition of your property, it is essential that you use your social media channels to get the word out there about your ugly house.

This is a great strategy for ensuring that as many people as possible know that your house is on the market, and is looking for potential homebuyers. Social media is a great way of increasing your network across all industries and activities.

5. Look for a buyer that fits your needs

There is a buyer for anything these days – especially if your Marketing is on point. No matter how ugly your house is, if it gets enough visibility, and you are looking for the right buyers in the right places, you will be able to get a good deal. 

Depending on the current condition of your property, you may want to avoid traditional Real Estate listings and instead look for specialty buyers for assistance.

For example, if you are looking to sell an ugly house in Los Angeles, you can turn to a cash buyer such as Ultra Home Buyers. Especially if you want a fast, straightforward and hassle-free deal.

With us, you can be closing your deal in as little as 10 days – we will give you a fair offer, and you choose whether to accept it or not without any obligations.

6. Offer incentives

Depending on your particular financial circumstances, the condition in which your house is in, and how quickly you need to get rid of it, you may want to explore the option of providing incentives to a buyer.

For example, you can offer assistance with the closing costs, lowering the price for necessary modifications, or paying for some renovations before closing are all examples of what could be provided.

You can consider all of these options and only use them as a last resort in order to save you the most money. Of course, if your financial situation doesn’t allow it, you can always sell an ugly house in Los Angeles to a cash buyer.