Can You Sell a Property With Japanese Knotweed?
Buying and selling property are both considered some of the most stressful things you can do in life. They are up there with divorce and the death of a loved one. Selling any property can be problematic at the best of times, but one that has Japanese knotweed growing in its garden is even trickier. If you ask a lot of property experts, estate agents or others with experience in property sales, if you can sell a house with Japanese knotweed, many will say no.
And do you know what? In most cases, they are almost completely right. What makes it so difficult to sell a property with Japanese Knotweed and is there any hope if you have this stubborn and troublesome weed on your property and are looking to sell it?
In the following post, we will answer all of these questions.
First, let’s give a bit of background on the weed in question.
What is Japanese Knotweed and Why is it Such a Problem?
Japanese Knotweed is a particular species of perennial herbaceous plant that has developed the reputation of being especially invasive and responsible for property damage. When you consider its almost immortal properties and stubbornness, it is not hard to see why it has become so despised in the property sector.
It can harm vegetation and property but is not toxic in the least bit. In fact, many grazing animals can safely eat it. The reason it is such a problem is the way it extracts nutrients from the area where it is taking root and the fact that when it is growing and spreading it is tough enough to actually break concrete.
Can It Be Removed?
The thing to remember with Japanese Knotweed is that it is incredibly invasive and stubborn. Yes, it can be removed, or at least attempts can be made to have it removed from your property. However, the success of these attempts and how much it costs to remove are part of the reason why so many people would rather sell up than try to remove it. Rather than just being a couple of £100s, it can cost anything from £2,000 to as much as £20,000.
With those kinds of numbers being bandied around, it’s not hard to see why selling is more attractive. Well, it would be if there was actually a market for properties with stubborn, property damaging and almost immortal weeds.
Does that mean your property is destined to remain on the market unless you fork out the money to remove this weed? Not at all.
How Can You Sell a House With Japanese Knotweed?
If you are serious about selling your house and you have Japanese Knotweed that you are not prepared to put your hand in your pocket to pay for removal costs, there may be an alternative. The best way to sell your home if it has Japanese knotweed is by not going the traditional route and using an estate agent or agency, but rather selling it to a cash property buyer.
The beauty of using a cash property buyer to purchase your home is that if they are a genuine cash buyer, they are not representing a potential buyer and do not have as many criteria that they are looking for. They are also not waiting on the sale of another property before they purchase yours, which means they are not as easily put off by something like Japanese knotweed.
They have the budget available to spend outright on your property.
Other Great Benefits
Aside from having much of the stress and pressure removed from the process of trying to sell your house with Japanese knotweed, there are further benefits that come from choosing a cash buyer. You will be able to have access to the money quicker than you would if you went through an estate agency. That means if you are in a hurry to sell up and move, whether it’s because of the Japanese knotweed or there are other circumstances involved too, you can. In many cases, even those involving Japanese knotweed, the sale can be finalised and the money in your account within 1 week.