When you’re ready to sell your older Lakewood home, the gleaming new constructions and freshly renovated properties nearby can make you wonder if anyone will be interested in your outdated property. With modern buyers scrolling through perfectly staged homes on their phones, selling a house with vintage features and dated décor presents real challenges in today’s market.
The Challenge of Selling Outdated Homes in Lakewood
Lakewood’s housing market has undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years. New developments and extensively renovated midcentury homes have reset buyer expectations. Today’s typical Lakewood buyer expects open floor plans, updated kitchens, modern bathrooms, and energy-efficient systems, features often missing in older, unrenovated homes.
Many homeowners mistakenly believe they must completely modernize their property before selling. Others worry their home won’t sell at all without significant updates. The reality lies somewhere in between these extremes. While outdated homes typically sell for less than their renovated counterparts, they can still be a good deal, especially with the right approach.
Continuing to hold onto an aging property often means incurring higher maintenance costs, increasing utility bills, and enduring the constant stress of managing an older home. Deciding on your outdated Lakewood property now can save you considerable money and headaches down the road.
Understanding the Lakewood Market for Older Homes
Today’s Lakewood buyers generally fall into two categories: those seeking move-in-ready homes and those hunting for renovation opportunities. Unfortunately, the first group will likely skip your listing entirely if your home appears outdated in photos. The second group, comprising investors and renovation-minded buyers, will be interested but typically offer significantly below-market value to account for the needed updates.
Certain features immediately date your home in the eyes of buyers: popcorn ceilings, wood paneling, older carpeting, vintage wallpaper, closed-off kitchens, single-pane windows, and dated bathroom fixtures. Even if these elements remain functional, they signal “major project” to many buyers.
Some Lakewood neighborhoods continue to command premium prices for older homes, particularly in historic areas where character features are highly valued. However, most parts of the city now favor updated properties that require minimal work.
The longer an outdated home sits on the market, the more it typically costs the owner. Beyond ongoing mortgage payments and utilities, older homes often develop new maintenance issues while waiting for a buyer. A minor issue today can become a significant expense six months from now.
The True Cost of Updating Before Selling
Many homeowners consider renovating before selling, but this approach requires careful consideration. Here’s what common updates typically cost in Lakewood:
A full kitchen renovation typically costs between $30,000 and $60,000 and takes 4-8 weeks, assuming materials are readily available. Bathroom updates typically cost $15,000 to $25,000 per bathroom. Replacing flooring throughout an average Lakewood home costs between $12,000 and $20,000, depending on the chosen materials.
These projects often uncover hidden issues in older homes – electrical problems, plumbing concerns, or structural issues that must be addressed, adding thousands to the initial budget. Permits and inspections add further complications and delays.
While specific updates can provide a good return on investment, major renovations rarely return 100% of their cost in increased home value. This means that spending $50,000 on renovations might only increase your sale price by $30,000 to $40,000, which is not necessarily a winning financial strategy if your goal is to maximize proceeds.
Selling Options for Outdated Lakewood Properties
If renovation isn’t appealing, several other paths remain available:
A traditional listing with strategic pricing can be effective if your home has good bones and is priced to reflect its current condition. This approach requires an experienced agent who knows how to market older homes and set appropriate expectations.
An as-is listing with complete transparency about the home’s condition can attract the right buyers, though typically at lower price points. Some agents specialize in marketing to investors and renovation-minded buyers.
For buyers who fall in love with a home’s potential, renovation loans like the FHA 203k can help them finance both the purchase and the necessary improvements. However, these loans add complexity and often extend the closing timeline.
Many Lakewood homeowners with outdated properties ultimately find that selling directly to a cash buyer offers the simplest solution. Companies like The Atlas Portfolio purchase homes in any condition, without requiring updates or repairs.
The Atlas Portfolio Solution for Outdated Homes
At The Atlas Portfolio, we’ve purchased hundreds of older, outdated homes throughout Lakewood. Our team understands the value beneath dated surfaces and can see potential where others only see projects.
We buy properties as-is, with no need for updates, repairs, or even cleaning. This means you can sell your home exactly as it stands today – shag carpet, wood paneling, vintage fixtures and all. Our process eliminates the stress, expense, and uncertainty of trying to update a home before selling.
When we make an offer on your outdated Lakewood home, we consider:
- The home’s location and neighborhood trends
- The structural integrity and major systems
- The property’s potential after renovation
- Current market conditions for similar properties
While our offer reflects the home’s current condition, selling without renovation costs, real estate commissions, and holding expenses often puts more money in your pocket than attempting expensive pre-sale updates.
Taking Action – Next Steps
If you’re ready to explore selling your outdated Lakewood home without the hassle of renovations, start by contacting The Atlas Portfolio for a no-obligation consultation. Our team will walk through your property, explain our valuation process, and provide a fair cash offer, typically within 24 hours.
Should you choose to accept, we can close on your timeline, often within 7-14 days. You decide what to take and what to leave behind, making the transition as simple as possible.
Don’t let an outdated home keep you from moving forward with your life. Contact The Atlas Portfolio today to discover how our straightforward process can help you sell your older Lakewood home quickly, with no renovations required.
