If you’re wondering how to sell a house with problems, especially in a competitive market like San Diego, you’re not alone. Homeowners often feel overwhelmed by repairs and costs and can feel unsure about whether anyone would even want a property in rough condition.
The good news? You don’t have to fix every issue or pour thousands into renovations just to sell. Instead, you can explore an alternative route that skips the hassle altogether.
The fastest way to sell a problem house in San Diego is to work with a local cash buyer, like Trust House Buyers, who purchases homes as-is. This means you don’t have to make repairs, clean out the property, or wait months for a buyer. You can avoid inspections, agent fees, and the stress of showings—often walking away with cash in hand in a matter of days.
Whether you’re looking into how to sell a house as-is in California or trying to get rid of a home that’s become more of a burden than a blessing, Trusted House Buyers can help you move on quickly, with zero out-of-pocket costs or surprises.
What Is ‘As-Is’?
At Trusted House Buyers, selling homes as-is is what we do. According to Realtor.com, “Technically, when a real estate agent lists an as-is home sale, it means the homeowner is selling the home in its current condition and will make no repairs or improvements before the sale (or negotiate with the buyer for any credits to fund these fix-its). The term ‘as-is’ is rarely tacked on a property sales listing that’s perfect and move-in ready.”
When you have a home that you are wanting to sell as-is, listing the home is usually not the best plan of action. If you have a home that is in disrepair, putting it on the San Diego MLS next to a turnkey property or a property that has a beautifully renovated kitchen and updated landscaping is not going to fare well.
Hometowndev.com explains further, “You’re really going to appreciate what you read next about how long it takes to sell a home as-is once you know what the alternative is. And it isn’t pretty. According to Zillow, most homes stayed on the market for an average of sixty-eight days. So, just over two months. If you need cash now, that’s not great, but that figure is even more concerning when you figure in a couple of things: that is the average, meaning that some homes were on the market for much, much longer than sixty-eight days and that ‘on the market’ means just that–listed for sale. ”
Many times, these types of homes sit on the market and then come off the market. This means that the sellers have now wasted months with no return and are back at square one.
How Expensive Are House Repairs?
This is a loaded question. If you have a San Diego house that has been sitting for years with problem after problem, chances are that the grand total is a number that will shock you.
According to Mercury News, “The cost of fixing or remodeling your home in California has risen by 67% in a decade twice overall inflation’s jump.” Let’s break it down. Below are some common repairs and a ballpark figure of what it may cost you to repair these issues.
Foundation repairs
Your home’s foundation is not a repair that can be missed; not to mention, any home inspector will require the foundation to be fixed. This repair can be anywhere from $5,000 up to $25,000, depending on the size and severity of the issue.
Electrical issues
Leave electrical repairs to the professionals. This can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars, depending on what needs to be repaired.
Water damage
Water damage that is visible will send home buyers running for the hills. The type of water damage and the amount of water damage will affect the cost of repair, but it averages around $2600.
Roof repair
A damaged roof is no joke and can lead to many other problems. Home buyers do not want a roof that needs to be repaired.
Forbes breaks it down
“In California, the cost of a new roof is typically between $9,000 and $25,000. On average, a California homeowner can expect to spend around $15,000 for a new 2,000-square-foot roof. These figures provide a starting point for understanding the financial aspects of your roofing project in the Golden State.”
Repair or replace pipes
Repairing or replacing old pipes is usually found after a home inspection and can range from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars.
Heating or air conditioning repair/installation
Fixing the heating or air conditioning is a must if you want to sell your home. Bankrate tells us that “installing a new HVAC system ranges on average from $5,000 to $12,500.”
Mold removal
Mold removal is something that cannot be overlooked, as it can lead to serious health issues. This service averages around $2,500.
Termite damage
Termite repairs can be extremely costly, depending on the extent of the damage and the square footage of your home.
Is There a Light at the End of the Tunnel?
Even if you do make a few repairs, a home that is distressed is not necessarily visually appealing to the average home buyer. Renovating and updating your home is a whole other project and financial constraint.
This is where selling your home to a cash buyer like Trusted House Buyers comes in. We are a family-run business here in San Diego that specializes in buying homes in as-is condition!
We will take your home today and offer you a price. This means you do not need to research electricians, roofers, or plumbers. You hand over your home and all of its problems to us!
We do not require inspections, and we do not pull any surprises. Unlike other ‘buy houses for cash’ companies, we offer you a price that is fair, and we are completely transparent throughout the process. There are no hidden fees or costs, and you can have cash in your hand in as little as ten days.
Give us a call today at 619-786-0973 to see how our company can help you sell your San Diego problem house!
