Are you planning to sell a property in Virginia in bad shape or poor condition? Homes that need repairs or are almost uninhabitable don’t typically attract many interested buyers. This is especially true for the Virginia real estate market — which is quite competitive, with high standards for buying homes.
All homes need some repairs now and then. However, when a home is riddled with structural or aesthetic problems, it can burden would-be buyers. Buyers often won’t consider houses that require a long and expensive renovation to make them habitable. Sellers with homes needing extensive repairs deserve a better option.
For these reasons working with an experienced, buyer like Cava Buys is one of the easiest ways to get rid of it.
Selling a Virginia Home in Poor Condition or Bad Shape
Yours is considered to be in bad condition if it has:
- Structural problems
- Old and outdated appearance
- Foundation problems, such as cracks
- Leaking or damaged roof
- Vandalism
- Storm, fire, and mildew damage
- Ongoing issues with tenants
- Incomplete construction
- Broken windows and doors
- Pest infestation
- Plumbing and electrical issues
- Unnecessary stuff or trash hoarded inside
Selling a Virginia Home in Poor Condition or Bad Shape
If you’re wondering, “is there anyone who can buy my property even in its distressed situation?” — don’t worry! Below are some tips for selling a Virginia home in poor condition or bad shape:
Consider Selling to As-is Buyers
Before you decide to sell your outdated property, know that you can get a higher price than you may expect. Making improvements to bring yours up to code and make it more attractive can be expensive and may leave you in debt. The best solution is to sell it to as-is investors — at no cost to you!
You may have seen signs that say, “we buy them in any condition and anywhere in Richmond, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, and Chesterfield, VA.” These companies are investors always looking for distressed properties, and they’ll buy yours for cash! After buying homes in poor condition, they refurbish them and bring them back to new.
Unlike in the traditional real estate market, cash buyers — like us, Cava Buys — have a fast transaction process. You don’t have to wait for loan approval or deal with an agent because the investor handles everything. It’s a clever approach where you can unlock your hidden equity in as quick as seven days!
List Your Home With Cheap Market Value
One of the best ways is to list it below market price — but are you willing to let go of your place at a bargain price it doesn’t deserve? Probably not! Listing a property in poor condition is time-consuming, expensive, and frustrating. Even at the lowest price, your real estate could sit on the market for quite a while. As we mentioned earlier, most homebuyers nowadays aren’t willing to invest in old, repairable houses.
However, many cash buyers will be interested in the property and will be happy to take it off your hands.
Use the FSBO Approach
A strategy often referred to as “For Sale By Owner” (FSBO) involves selling your home directly on the market without using a real estate agent. Since it’s done by yourself, you’ll have total involvement in the selling process — where you have to set the price, negotiate, host tours, list on advertising platforms, and perform many more duties.
However, you may end up selling your home at a lower market value or get slight repairs to make it more appealing to buyers. It’s a tedious process, and you don’t even have the assurance that you’ll end up with a successful sale.
Work With a Real Estate Agent
In some cases, some agents are willing to help you if its in bad shape. When you hire an agent, they’ll be able to help you set the right price and stage your home effectively. They’ll ensure that it‘s appropriately advertised while handling the selling process and protecting your best interests.
While this can be a good option, most agents will refuse to list your property until their recommended repairs and renovations have taken place. Also, take note that agents get 6% or more commission from the selling price.
Cava Buys in 3 Easy Steps
Cava Buys in 3 Easy StepsIf your home is in a distressed condition, you may doubt if you can unload your home at a price you’re satisfied with. Luckily, Cava Buys is here to help you! We pay fast cash for your distressed properties using our hassle-free approach if you need to sell my house fast Richmond VA.
- Get in Touch: Simply call or contact us online and share information about your home.
- Receive Offer: We’ll give you an upfront offer to buy your house in as fast as seven days — without any hidden fees, commission, or closing costs.
- Close on Your Time: After you get our offer, you can freely pick your closing date and get paid. If you need more time, we’re willing to wait until you’re ready for your preferred closing date.
If your old home for sale is located in Richmond, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, or Chesterfield, talk to us, and we’ll buy your house for a reasonable price with no fuss and no obligation on your side!
Selling your house to us is still an option even if you have already engaged a real estate agent. Depending on the situation, you may need to pay your realtor for their services. If you would like to explore all of the possibilities regarding this matter, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team.
You don’t need a listing on the MLS when you work with us. We purchase houses directly ourselves without any extra hassle or cost!
Forget about all of the hassle with repair costs, broker fees, house examinations, evaluations and needing to wait for a bank loan to purchase your real estate – now it’s easier than ever!
We can help you sell your property during the probate process. We’ll submit a valid offer contingent upon the successful completion of probate.
Yes. We can make an offer and buy your inherited property. Once you agree to our offer, the entire process is usually completed in as little as seven days! We understand how difficult it can be to handle the estate of a deceased family member, and we are here to help.
Yes, and we can take care of the tenant issue for you. We can buy your house as-is and handle any necessary eviction proceedings. Our experienced professionals will work with you to find a solution that works best for you.
We use our cash to purchase your property. This means no waiting for approval from a bank, and you don’t need to worry about appraisals or other due-diligence fees. We will provide a fair cash offer for your house and take care of all the necessary paperwork to close the deal quickly!
We’re not going to pressure you to accept our offer. You are never obligated to accept — it’s entirely up to you! We provide an up-front cash offer for your property, and once you decide if it’s a good fit, we take care of the rest.
We can usually give you an offer within 24 to 48 hours of receiving your information.
We specialize in buying single-family homes and purchasing all kinds of properties.
Yes. We buy houses in any condition even if it needs repairs or is in bad condition and needs work.
As of late 2025, the average value is $409,382, meaning prices have gone up 2.6% over the past year.
With that said, prices vary significantly by region.
For example, Northern Virginia remains the most expensive, with a median price of $664,000. Meanwhile, there are more affordable options in areas like Danville or Martinsville, which offer median prices as low as $92,500 to $150,000.
Yes, you can.
The law allows you to sell a house “as is” as long as you’re upfront about any issues.
Under the Virginia Residential Property Disclosure Act, you must disclose all known material defects, including any repairs you’ve made (if any) or structural issues like foundation problems.
Cash buyers (like us at Cava Buys) often purchase homes in any condition, making the process faster and simpler.
The most affordable cities in Virginia include Danville, Richlands, and Martinsville.
In these areas, median prices are from $92,500 to $150,000. These cities also offer lower costs of living and are ideal for budget-conscious buyers or investors.
Richmond is a pretty strong market if you’re thinking of a place to invest. The city has seen a 9.6% rise in home prices in 2025, with high demand, quick sales, and a robust rental market (vacancy rates around 4.5%).
And if these signals aren’t enough for you, the growing population and diversified economy make it attractive for both short-term flips and long-term rentals.
If cheap houses are on your radar, there’s not a lot of places that can top Danville.
Danville consistently ranks as one of the cheapest places to buy a home in Virginia, with median prices around $150,000. Other affordable options include Martinsville and Richlands, where homes often sell for under $100,000.
To comfortably afford a median-priced home in Richmond (around $375,000), you should aim for a household income of at least $72,000 to $80,000 per year.
For renters, a salary of $54,936 is often enough to live comfortably in the city.
The best months to buy a house for lower prices are typically November through February. During these months, there’s often less demand, so sellers may be more motivated.
However, inventory is highest in March to May, offering more options.
Danville is often cited as the cheapest place to live in Virginia, with a median home price of $150,000 and a cost of living well below the state average.
You bet.
The city’s real estate market has shown steady price appreciation, with a 9.6% rise in home prices in 2025 and a forecasted 2.9% increase by the end of the year. And all this growth is because of:
- A vibrant local economy
- A growing population
- A thriving rental market.
While you can list a house for sale by owner (FSBO) on Craigslist, it’s not the most effective platform for reaching serious buyers.
Most Virginia sales involve a real estate agent or cash buyer, who can provide broader exposure and legal guidance.
They can go to pending status in as little as seven days, especially in a seller’s market. Cash buyers, like us at Cava Buys, can close in seven to 14 days, so it’s the fastest route to a sale.
Cash investors like us typically offer 70% to 80% of a home’s fair market value, depending on its condition and location.
Do you want to find out how much your home is worth? Get a free cash offer and find out!
Traditional buyers (with financing) usually offer the highest price, but the process is often slower and contingent on inspections and appraisals.
For speed and certainty, cash buyers like us at Cava Buys provide a fair, hassle-free alternative, especially if your home needs repairs.
Listing on Zillow as a For Sale By Owner (FSBO) is free. However, for maximum exposure, work with a real estate agent. You can also stand to make more from your home if you sell it for cash to us.
For the most accurate and up-to-date real estate sales records in Virginia, use county assessor websites (e.g.,Henrico County,Virginia Beach) or theVirginia Public Records Online Directory.
Selling a house in poor condition is straightforward with cash buyers. Companies like Cava Buys purchase homes “as is,” eliminating the need for repairs or inspections. You’ll receive a fair cash offer, and the sale can close quickly (often in just seven to 14 days).
To buy a foreclosed home in Richmond, you can get started by looking at properties. The best places to look are Foreclosure.com and HUD Home Store.
Foreclosed homes often sell for 20 to 50% below market value, but may require repairs or have liens. So, to get the best deal, work with a foreclosure-savvy real estate agent, secure financing upfront, and be ready to act fast (these properties attract competitive bids).
It depends. There’s a wide variation of housing prices in the state. For the most part, Northern Virginia is expensive, with median prices averaging $664,000.
By contrast, cities like Danville, Martinsville, and Richmond offer far more affordable options.
In Danville, median home prices start at $92,500, while Richmond’s median is $375,000
The answer is yes.
Richmond is generally 7% to 10% cheaper than Virginia Beach, especially when it comes to housing and day-to-day expenses.
Home prices are lower in Richmond, too. The median home price in Richmond hovers around $375,000, while Virginia Beach’s median is closer to $400,000 to $420,000. The difference can add up to significant savings over time.
