How to Calculate Offer Price for a House in Need of Work/Repair
Are you planning to buy a Boston condo that needs work?
In the Boston condo world, this is probably one of the easiest ways to own a property without paying a lot. That is, if you can manage to make an offer that will factor in the appropriate cost for every remodeling work required.
Construction of new Boston high rise condos might have increased, according to a 2018 report in Fortune, but people continue to buy existing properties, including fixer-uppers.
If you plan to do the same, make sure to offer a price that takes into account the cost of renovation. How do you do this exactly?
It is important to understand the types of properties that need work and how their prices are calculated.
- Fixer-upper homes
Sold as-is, these Boston condos for sale are often priced based on comparable sales minus the estimates for repairs. These home typically are priced well below market rate to cause a bidding war in order to get the best offer.
- Foreclosure Boston condos
Even when sold as is, similar to a fixer-upper, you are unlikely to get a discount off the asking price. Bank owned properties are usually reluctant to lower the asking price. And in today’s market they are hard to find.
- Short sale house
Buying such a Boston condo is a complicated process. A short sale happens because a seller can no longer afford to make mortgage payments which means they can’t also pay for repairs when required. On top of these, lenders are unlikely to cooperate unless the price is in line with the real estate market.
Newer but outdated properties
Would you pay top-of-market if the Boston high rise condo requires upgrades? Unlikely. You can ask for a discount based on the cost of home improvement.
How to Calculate an Offer to a House That Needs Work
Seek professional real estate advice
Hiring an experienced real estate agent remains the easiest and safest way to ensure that you pay the right price for a property. After all, we have the industry knowledge and market connections to provide you the essential information. Have your real estate agent conduct a comparative market analysis to gather data on sale prices of comparable properties that have recently sold and are located within proximity to the condominiums you want to purchase.
Hire a building contractor
If realtors can provide comparable property prices, building contractors can provide you an estimated cost of a condo’s remodeling work. They can estimate the cost of building materials and the man hours needed to complete a renovation project.
If you plan to repair the Boston condo by yourself, you still need to calculate the possible costs you’ll incur. If you lack comprehensive knowledge of the construction market, refer to building contractors just the same.
Consider the extras
For major work you might need to hire a structural engineer, architect, and get building permits. It is important to take them into account when determining your purchase price. I can recommend contractors that can help keep your cost down.
Inspections
The buyer should have a general building inspection and a pest inspection. Based on the findings during the inspection the seller might make repairs or give the buyer a credit. A house that is sold in “As Is” condition means the buyer needs to account for the cost of repairs in their purchase price.
Work out the details
With the data from your real estate agent and the estimated cost from your building contractor, you can then calculate how much to offer a property in need of repairs.
You should also deduct the cost of extras. From the result, make adjustments for contingencies, such as project delays due to bad weather and fluctuation in the price of building materials.
Now that you know what to do, start shopping for properties in need of work. Make sure to consult with a local real estate agent or contact Ford Realty if you are in the market for buying a Boston high rise condo
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How to Calculate Offer Price for a condo in Need of Work/Repair?
