Can I Sell My House in West Seattle and Admiral Without Listing It?

Is now a good time to sell my house in West Seattle?

For most West Seattle owners, the calendar that matters is their own. A sale works best when it fits your next move, your finances and the condition of the house.

To read the market in West Seattle, look at how long homes like yours take to go under contract and what they actually sold for in the last few months, not at asking prices.

More in How Do I Know When It’s Time to Sell My House?

Should I sell my West Seattle house as-is or fix it up first?

Make the inexpensive, visible repairs an inspector would flag, and skip the big projects. Sell as-is when the work would cost more, or take longer, than it would add.

Newer homes dominate West Seattle and Admiral. Only one of the three homes in our sample were built in 1980 or earlier, so an older house stands out, and buyers will set it against move-in-ready neighbors. Older homes there hold more of their value against new construction than the Washington median, 52.5 percent against 30.3 percent.

More in Should I Sell My House As-Is or Fix It Up First?

What are the benefits of selling my West Seattle house off-market?

Privacy, no repairs and a closing date you choose.

• No listing. Your home never goes on the MLS or the listing sites, and there are no open houses or showings to strangers.
• Sell it as it is. No repairs, staging or deep cleaning before you sell.
• Your timeline. Choose the closing date that works for you, whether that is a few weeks out or a few months.
• One buyer, one conversation. You deal directly with the buyer, not a string of showings, counteroffers and second rounds.

The cost is fewer buyers bidding. On the open market, competition can push a price higher, so it is worth weighing both routes. Should I Sell My House Off-Market? explains how.

How fast can I sell my house in West Seattle?

Off-market, on the date you choose, whether that is a few weeks out or a few months, once the title work and the documents Washington requires are done.

A listed sale usually takes longer, because the house has to be prepared, shown and negotiated, and the buyer’s inspection, appraisal and loan approval can still undo the deal late in the process.

If you are relocating, read How Do I Sell My House Fast When I’m Moving for Work?

What does it cost to sell a house in West Seattle?

On a listed sale, commission is usually the largest cost, followed by transfer taxes, title and closing fees, and any repairs or credits after the buyer’s inspection. A private sale to Address District has no commission.

On federal taxes, the IRS says an owner who owned and lived in the house as a main home for two of the five years before the sale may exclude up to $250,000 of gain, or $500,000 for a married couple filing jointly.

Line by line in How Much Does It Cost to Sell a House?

How does selling my West Seattle house off-market work?

In four steps, with no listing and no showings.

1. You tell us about the house, by the offer form or by contacting us.
2. Someone on our team reviews the house and the neighborhood and may ask to see it.
3. You get an offer, with no obligation to accept it.
4. If you accept, a title company or closing attorney handles the closing on the date you choose.

Before you sign anything, we tell you in writing who the buyer is.

What if my West Seattle house isn’t selling?

Usually the price, sometimes the condition, occasionally the marketing. The showing count tells you which.

Before you talk to another buyer, read your listing agreement. Most owe the agent a commission on any sale during the term. More in Why Isn’t My House Selling?

How does West Seattle compare with nearby neighborhoods?

West Seattle and Fauntleroy, 2 miles away, counts one older home among the three we sampled. Central District and Capitol Hill, 5 miles away, shows two older homes among the two we sampled. Capitol Hill and Eastlake, 5 miles away, has one older home among the two we sampled. West Seattle ranks tied for 707th nationally for older homes, behind one of them.

Every neighborhood in the index has its own page, and the Washington page lists all 48 in the state.

Do older homes in West Seattle sell for less than new construction?

In our sample, yes. The one older home in the 98116 sample sold for 52.5 percent of the average price of new construction in the same ZIP code. The Washington median is 30.3 percent, and the index median is 23.1 percent. With one older home behind it, treat the figure as a rough guide.

The gap reflects size, lot and condition as much as age, so price an older house against recent sales of other older houses nearby, not against new construction.