Gone are the days of putting a home on the market and receiving multiple offers the first day. Buyers today prioritize homes that require little to no work. Afterall, a move-in ready home attracts more buyers, shortens time on the market and often results in stronger offers because it eliminates the uncertainty and additional costs associated with repairs or updates.
That’s where HouseAmp comes in. The company provides access to pay-later funding options for home improvements, repairs, moving-related expenses and more.
“In today’s market, buyers expect homes to be move-in ready because they’re often stretched financially after purchasing,” says Rick Hennessey, CEO and co-founder of HouseAmp. “With rising interest rates, affordability has become a key issue—meaning buyers may not have the liquidity to fund renovations after closing. A move-in ready home stands out, reduces time on the market and attracts more competitive offers.”
Addressing financial concerns
For buyers already looking at homes at the top of their budget, it’s important for the home to be move-in and turn-key ready, as it will reduce the cost the buyer would need to incur in order to make the home complete after moving in.
“HouseAmp solves this issue by empowering sellers to fund necessary home improvements upfront with no out-of-pocket costs,” explains Hennessey. “Rather than passing these costs onto the buyer—who may already be financially maxed out—HouseAmp allows sellers to unlock their home’s full market potential, leading to a faster sale and higher final price without buyers needing to worry about additional post-purchase expenses.”
Peter Gratt, VP of Sales at HouseAmp, notes that by providing access to the equity in the home, sellers can have necessary repairs done before an inspection tells the buyer if something isn’t up to code—which allows the seller to list the home for more and not run the risk of the buyer demanding concessions due to an inspection report.
“Plus, if items are found during the inspection period that need repair, sellers can apply for funds up to close of escrow, eliminating the need to lower the price of the home or prevent the deal from falling through,” says Tiffany Klem, VP of Partnerships at HouseAmp.
In that way, HouseAmp removes the financial barrier to pre-sale improvements by offering a pay-at-close model, allowing sellers to invest in high-ROI updates without having to come up with cash. That’s important because homes that are updated and well-presented sell for more—often recouping several times the investment.
Common repairs
HouseAmp helps with various repairs and improvements including kitchen and bathroom updates, flooring replacements, landscaping improvements, fresh interior and exterior paint as well as less commonly thought of items such as staging, storage and moving-related expenses, like the actual moving company.
“We also help fund necessary repairs like roof fixes, HVAC servicing and plumbing or electrical updates—ensuring the home is not only visually appealing, but structurally sound,” says Hennessey. “These changes make a home feel modern, well-maintained and inviting—key factors that influence buyer interest and offer strength.”
Hennessey adds that the flexibility to cover both cosmetic updates and structural repairs is crucial because every home has unique needs, and addressing both makes a home more appealing, move-in ready and market competitive.
