How to Sell a Fixer‑Upper House Fast: Proven Strategies

Owning a home that needs work can feel overwhelming. Maybe you’re looking at cracked walls wondering if there is a foundation issue, an outdated kitchen that needs updated appliances and countertops, or a bathroom that has seen better days. The very thought of fixing everything before you can sell might seem impossible, especially if you need to sell your house fast in Milwaukee. 

The good news is that you don’t need to worry – you’re not stuck. Plenty of homeowners have been in your shoes and successfully sell fixer-uppers every year, and many find ways to sell their houses without spending months on repairs. Let’s walk through all your options so you can make the best choice for your situation. 

What Makes a House a Fixer-Upper?

A fixer-upper could mean a number of different things, but usually it means it needs repairs or updates before it’s considered move-in ready. But it could also mean anything from cosmetic touch-ups like paint and flooring to bigger problems like foundation, plumbing, electrical, and roof repairs. 

Common fixer-upper issues include: 

• Bathrooms and kitchens that need to be updated 
• Replace or refinish flooring throughout the house
• Electrical systems that aren’t up to current standards
• Plumbing issues or outdated fixtures
• Roof repairs or replacement are needed
• Siding or windows that have weathered or rotted 
• Foundation issues
• Heating and cooling systems that need to be replaced or need work
• The driveway is cracking or needs to be resealed 

The important thing to remember is that the things on your to-do list may feel overwhelming to you, but to the right buyer, they may be excited for the challenge. Some people love the idea of putting their stamp on a home. Then they will be able to change things to their taste and style.

Understanding the Traditional Fixer-Upper Selling Process

The first thought that comes to mind for most people when they think of a fixer-upper is that they need to fix just about everything. Let’s look at a step-by-step of what this process involves so you can decide if it’s the right choice for you.

Step 1: Getting a Home Inspection

Before you start any work, you’ll need to know exactly what’s wrong, and the best way to figure that out is by getting a home inspection. A professional inspection costs roughly $300-$500 but gives you a complete picture of all the needed repairs. By having this information, you’ll be able to prioritize what’s most important and budget accurately.

Step 2: Creating Your Repair Budget

Once you know what needs fixing, the next step is to get estimates from contractors. This can be time-consuming because usually, good contractors are busy, and you might wait weeks just to get quotes. Be prepared for some sticker shock – most homeowners are surprised at how expensive repairs can be, even “simple” projects often cost more than expected.

Step 3: Finding Reliable Contractors

This is where selling a fixer-upper gets tricky. Good contractors book up quickly, especially during busy seasons. The busy season for a Wisconsin contractor is late spring to early fall (May – October) for reference. You’ll need to research companies, check references and reviews, and get multiple bids. Even then, there’s no guarantee the work will be done on time or within budget.

Step 4: Managing the Renovation Process

Once work begins, you become a project manager. Your job will be to coordinate different trades, handle permit applications, be available for calls or letting workers into the house, deal with unexpected problems, and make countless decisions about materials and finishes, all while trying to stay within your budget. Something else to keep in mind – more often than not, renovations take longer than planned, uncover additional issues, and go over budget.

Step 5: Preparing for Sale

After several months of dealing with repairs and renovations, you’ll need to stage the house and list it with a real estate agent. Even after all that work you just had done, you’ll still pay 5-7% commission fees to your agent and might wait months for the right buyer to come along.

The Real Cost of Fixing Up First

When learning how to sell a fixer-upper house, many homeowners focus only on repair costs and timeframes and forget about everything else involved. Here is a breakdown of repair costs, estimated timeframes, and stress levels involved that’s pretty eye-opening.

Financial Costs

• Repair and renovation expenses | $25K – $200K+
• Permits and inspection fees | $500 – $5K
• Carrying costs while work is done (mortgage, insurance, utilities) | 6 months – $6K – $21K
• Real estate commission when you sell (on $250K) | $12K – $15K
• Staging and marketing costs | $1K – $5K

Total Estimated Cost:  Low-End – $44,500 | Mid-Range – $107,500 | High-End – $246,000+

Time Costs

• Getting estimates and hiring contractors – 1-3weeks
• Managing the renovation process  – 3-6 months
• Dealing with delays and problems – Sporadic 
• Marketing and showing the house – 1-2 months
• Negotiating with buyers – 1-3 weeks

Total Time Frame: ~1 to 8 months

Stress Costs

Rate these tasks below on a scale of 1-10, 1 being the least stressful and 10 being the most stressful. 

• Living in a construction zone | Stress Level: 8
• Coordinating multiple contractors | Stress Level: 8
• Making endless decisions about materials and finishes | Stress Level: 7
• Worrying about going over budget | Stress Level: 9
• Handling unexpected problems that come up | Stress Level: 10

Average stress level rating: 8.4

Smart Strategies for Selling a Fixer Upper

If you still think moving forward with renovations is worth trying, here are some proven strategies to help you succeed. 

Focus on High-Impact Improvements

Not all repairs give you the same ROI (Return On Investment), so you’ll want to focus on changes that make the biggest difference to buyers. Here are some high-impact improvements to consider:

• Kitchen Updates: Basic improvements like new cabinet hardware, fresh paint, and updated lighting or appliances can transform a kitchen without breaking the bank.
• Bathroom Facelift: New fixtures, brand new vanity, and modern lighting make bathrooms feel updated without full-on renovations. 
• Fresh Coat of Paint Throughout: A fresh coat of paint can help remove scuff marks, smells, and make the place more inviting. Make sure to stick with neutral paint colors throughout to appeal to most buyers. 
• Updated Flooring: If your carpet or tile has seen better days, you may want to consider luxury vinyl plank flooring. It looks great and costs a lot less than hardwood floors. 
• Curb Appeal: The first impression of your house is a big deal. Adding simple landscaping, a fresh front door, and clean exterior surfaces can make a huge difference. 

The Challenge of Traditional Sales

Dealing with fixing up your house is one thing another is trying to figure out the best way to sell. Selling a house that needs work through traditional methods involves some extra hurdles. 

Real estate agents can struggle to market fixer-uppers because most buyers want move-in-ready homes. Especially now with the real estate market the way it is in Wisconsin. Higher interest rates and the market changing to a buyer’s market have made buyers more picky and their budgets tighter. All that to say, they have lots of houses to choose from, and they likely don’t want to spend money on repairs. This could mean that your house may sit on the market longer, and you’ll still need to pay for realtor commission fees even after all your renovations are made.  

You also don’t want to forget that your house will still need to pass a home inspection. Even after everything has been fixed, buyers may still ask for repairs to be made, especially if things show up on the inspection report. It can be frustrating after spending time, money, and effort on renovations, only to have buyers find new things they want fixed. Honestly, this is one of the most common mistakes homeowners make when selling a fixer-upper – assuming that fixing everything guarantees a smooth home sale. 

Understanding Your Buyer Options

Selling a house that needs work usually attracts different types of buyers. Here is what your buyer options will look like:

First-Time Homebuyers

First-time buyers usually have tight budgets and may be willing to take on some projects to buy their first home. They usually are looking for move-in-ready basics but can handle cosmetic updates or light renovations over time.

DIY Enthusiasts

This type of buyer could be considered an HGTV enthusiast. They love projects and are looking for a fixer-upper that they can improve. These buyers see potential where others see problems. They also could be house flippers, so their goal, maybe to buy, fix, and resell. 

Real Estate Investors

Similar to a DIY enthusiast, investors buy properties to fix and flip or to keep and use as a rental property. They understand renovation costs and timelines. Usually, they have a team in place to handle all renovations, too. Investors or cash buyers can close quickly because they don’t require appraisals or inspections. They do factor in repair costs into their offers, but don’t charge realtor commissions and may help pay closing costs. 

Contractors and Builders

People in the construction industry often purchase fixer-uppers because they can do a lot of the work themselves and have connections to materials and subcontractors. Similar scenario, though, they will buy, fix, and resell more than likely. 

Marketing Your Fixer-Upper Effectively

How you present your fixer-upper makes a big difference in attracting the right buyers:

Highlight the Potential

Make sure to highlight the things like location, unique features, and whether the house has good bones. This can help the buyer see what the house could become at its full potential.

Be Honest About Issues

For a number of reasons, you don’t want to hide issues. For one, it’s ethically not right, and two, you’re legally required to fill out a property disclosure form in Wisconsin. Ultimately, trying to hide problems only creates headaches for you later on. If you’re upfront about the house needing work, you’ll be able to build trust and attract buyers who are prepared for projects. 

Price to Attract Interest

Setting a competitive asking price is a big deal – price your home too high and it could sit on the market for months, price too low and lose out on potential profits. To help you set a competitive price, you can either get an appraisal done on your home or ask a real estate agent to help. Just know that asking a realtor usually comes with the expectation that you will be listing with them. 

The Reality Check: When Fixing Up Doesn’t Make Sense

Let’s stop and think about this for a moment – sometimes the best way to sell a house that needs work isn’t to fix it up at all.  Here are some signs that renovating may not be your best option: 

• You don’t have the money to make repairs up front
• You need to move quickly for work or family reasons
• The house needs major repairs or replacement (electrical, plumbing, HVAC, roofing)
• You’re dealing with other life stresses
• Estimated repair costs are more than 20% of the home’s value
• You’re tired of being a landlord or managing the property

The Alternative: Selling Without the Hassle

If you’ve reached this point and feel like the traditional process of selling a fixer-upper feels overwhelming, there is another option that more homeowners are discovering. Instead of spending months and thousands of dollars on home repairs, you can sell your house exactly as-is today. 

Instead of searching for an as-is buyer on your own, there are companies that specialize in buying houses in any condition and can make this process incredibly easy. Here at Cream City Home Buyers, we buy houses in New Berlin, Milwaukee, and surrounding areas and can handle everything from minor cosmetic issues to major structural problems. 

Here is how it works: you contact a reputable house buying company (like us), we evaluate your property, and within days, you have a cash offer. No repairs needed, no agent commissions, no waiting months for the perfect buyer to take on your fixer-upper. You choose the closing date that works for you. 

This approach works especially well for people who need cash home buyers in Menomonee Falls and surrounding areas because it removes all the uncertainty and stress of the traditional selling process. 

When This Makes the Most Sense

Here is when selling as-is works best:

• You need to move quickly 
• Repair costs would cause financial strain 
• You don’t want to deal with contractors and home renovations
• You’re juggling other major life changes
• The property needs significant work
• You need certainty about timing and price

What You Can Expect

As a reputable cash buyer, we make offers based on your home’s current value and condition. While the offer might be a little less than what you’d get after expensive renovations, you will save time, money, and the stress of fixing everything first. 

The overall home buying process is pretty straightforward and honest. We’ve worked with several families who were selling a fixer-upper in Milwaukee, so we understand the local market and can close quickly or whenever you’re ready.

Making the Right Choice for You

As you consider your options, the good news is that both approaches – fixing up first or selling as-is – can work well depending on your situation. The important thing is to honestly evaluate what makes sense for your timeline, budget, and stress level. 

If you have the time, money, and energy to handle renovations and you enjoy managing projects, fixing up the palace first might work well. But if you need to move quickly, don’t have renovation funds, or simply want to avoid the hassle, then selling as-is could be perfect for you.

Many homeowners find that when they look at the numbers, including things like carrying costs, contractor expenses, and months of their time, selling as-is often makes financial sense too. 

So whether you’re dealing with selling as-is or fixing up decisions, or just want to fully understand your options better, talking to professionals who understand both options can help you make the best decision. 

Remember, there is no wrong choice here – only what works best for you and your family. The goal is to move forward in a way that reduces your stress and ultimately gets you where you want to be. If you’re ready to explore your options, start with getting a cash offer today to see what selling as-is might look like for you. Or if you have questions about the process, our company, or anything else you can think of, contact us today! We’d be happy to help answer any questions.