You don’t necessarily have to empty the whole house before you can sell it. If you’re looking for someone who buys houses in any condition, one question that may cross your mind is, “What happens to the furniture, belongings, and appliances that may still be in the house?”
You may have already vacated the house, or it may be a property that belonged to a relative and has accumulated years’ worth of items inside. Regardless of your situation, cleaning the entire property is no longer an option. So, can you just sell the house as is?
What If the House Is Full of Furniture?
If there is furniture in your house, you don’t necessarily need to remove it before showing the house to a prospective buyer. Imagine an old house that has been lived in for years. It likely has a sofa, a dining room table, a bed, and other furniture scattered throughout.
You can tell the buyer what’s staying and what’s going with you. Some cash buyers will buy the house with the contents still inside. But don’t assume they’ll take everything. Tell them what you plan to leave and make sure it’s included in the agreement. If you’re trying to sell a house fast in Chicago, this can save you a headache.
Do I Have to Clean the House Before Selling?
Many homeowners think they need to make the place look good before anyone will be interested. They start thinking about hiring cleaners, renting a dumpster, and getting rid of everything in the garage, but you may not need to do all of that.
With an as-is sale, the buyer looks at the house in its current condition. Some Chicago cash buyers specifically buy houses without requiring the seller to clean them out or make repairs first.
That doesn’t mean you should leave your important items behind, though. Take your photos, documents, jewelry, medication, and anything else you actually want. Once the sale is closed, you don’t want to realize you’ve left your grandmother’s old photo album in a cupboard. The other items can be discussed with the buyer.
What About an Inherited House?
Inherited houses can be a different situation altogether. You may have a house full of someone else’s furniture and personal belongings, and you’re suddenly expected to decide what to keep, what to throw away, and what to do with the property. If you don’t live nearby, clearing the place can be even harder.
You don’t have to finish everything before asking about selling the house. Cash buyers who purchase homes as-is may be willing to look at the property even if the furniture and other belongings are still there. Start by finding out what the house is worth and what your selling options are. Then you can decide what to do with everything inside.
Can I Leave Old Appliances and Junk Behind?
Maybe there’s an old refrigerator in the kitchen that no longer works or a broken washing machine in the basement. The garage might have old tools, boxes, and items you haven’t used since you moved in.
You might be able to leave some or all of it behind, depending on the buyer. Just don’t assume. Tell the buyer what you want to leave. If they’re okay with it, get it in the purchase agreement. That way, you know who’s responsible for the items after closing.
What Should You Take Before Closing?
Before you hand over the keys, go through the house and take anything you want to keep. This includes:
- Family photos
- Important paperwork
- Jewelry and valuables
- Personal documents
- Medication
- Small items with sentimental value
- Anything you’ve specifically agreed to remove
Don’t leave something behind because you think you’ll come back for it later. Once the property changes hands, getting it back may not be simple.
What If the House Is Really Cluttered?
There’s clutter, and then there’s the kind of clutter where you open the basement door and can’t even see the floor. If that’s your situation, you might be thinking, “Nobody is going to buy this until I clean it all out.” That’s not necessarily true.
Some experienced cash home buyers in Chicago deal with houses that still have years’ worth of belongings inside. Heavy clutter, old furniture, and packed basements and garages aren’t automatically deal breakers for every buyer.
Keep in mind that the buyer still needs to see enough of the property to understand what they’re buying. If rooms are completely blocked off or parts of the house aren’t safe to enter, let them know before the visit. You don’t need to make the house look perfect. Potential buyers just need to know what they’re dealing with.
Do I Have to Make Repairs Too?
You see a cracked wall, an old bathroom, a roof that needs work, and a kitchen that hasn’t been updated in decades. Then you start adding up the cost of fixing everything, and it can get expensive.
An as-is sale means you’re selling the house in its current condition rather than agreeing to make all those repairs before the sale. Cash buyers may take the property’s condition into account when making their offer. Before you start calling contractors, get a clear sense of your actual selling options. You may find that you don’t need to fix everything first.
Can You Sell a Chicago House Without Emptying It First?
In many cases, you can, but the answer depends on the buyer and the agreement you make with them. If you’re looking for cash home buyers and the house still has old furniture, boxes, appliances, or other unwanted items, disclose this from the beginning.
Show the property as it stands. Explain what you want to keep and what you’re willing to leave. Then find out what the buyer is willing to handle.
At Diamond Equity, we buy houses in Chicago and can help you explore an as-is sale without first turning the house into an empty, perfectly staged property. Sometimes the easiest part of selling the house is being honest about what’s still inside.
