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Thoughts on selling your house
The first thing people normally do when they move house is to redecorate it to their taste etc.
I'm thinking about selling up (only thinking so far!) and although the kitchen and living room have recently been decorated, they both need new flooring (ie lino in the kitchen, carpet in the living room). The carpet isn't particularly that bad but you can see its a bit aged. Things could be redone in the two bedrooms too.
So my question is - is it best to update these things yourself before putting it up for sale? Would it put potential buyers off if you didn't? Have to keep stressing, it doesn't look like a slum, its really cosy to be honest, but some things do need updating. I'd be prepared to take less to take that into account, which I know is something that estate agents have put in their particulars before - "price reflects the need to update" or something like that.
What do you think?
I'm thinking about selling up (only thinking so far!) and although the kitchen and living room have recently been decorated, they both need new flooring (ie lino in the kitchen, carpet in the living room). The carpet isn't particularly that bad but you can see its a bit aged. Things could be redone in the two bedrooms too.
So my question is - is it best to update these things yourself before putting it up for sale? Would it put potential buyers off if you didn't? Have to keep stressing, it doesn't look like a slum, its really cosy to be honest, but some things do need updating. I'd be prepared to take less to take that into account, which I know is something that estate agents have put in their particulars before - "price reflects the need to update" or something like that.
What do you think?
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I think if it's all superficial work then you should do it. A new carpet and new lino...plus a fresh paint job, and other little bits and bobs will probably get you a better asking price.
Some people have no imagination and can't see past something that looks a little 'aged'. Others want to move in and not have to do anything whatsoever.
Some people have no imagination and can't see past something that looks a little 'aged'. Others want to move in and not have to do anything whatsoever.
When we sold our last house.....we were in the same boat.
We asked an Estate Agent to come up and tell us what he thought.
He said that he didn't feel it mattered, for the very reasons you gave; the new owners would probably decorate right through, anyway.
It went on the market at the 'full price' for the area and sold very quickly, too.
Good luck!!
We asked an Estate Agent to come up and tell us what he thought.
He said that he didn't feel it mattered, for the very reasons you gave; the new owners would probably decorate right through, anyway.
It went on the market at the 'full price' for the area and sold very quickly, too.
Good luck!!
If they are clean and not smelly I wouldn't bother changing them. Quite honestly, if I were to move into another house I would systematically change the carpets so it was my 'smell' and not that of others... Make sure all is clean and fresh smelling and that's enough. However, non pet owners don't like to smell pets when they walk into a house.
All the TV progs suggest that doing your house up to sell is the way to go and the cost is easily covered in the selling price. Some buyers can't see through a tired decor and are put off. Also I think people do normally want to paint etc in a new home but not necessarily do bigger jobs like change flooring immediately.
If you shell out for new 'stuff' will you be leaving it behind, or taking it with you?
Your house will have a maximum sale value and there is little point in buying new things to put in your house as you will *not* get the money back in your sale price.
It may help the house to be sold more quickly, but that doesn't necessarily mean that the figures stack up financially.
Your house will have a maximum sale value and there is little point in buying new things to put in your house as you will *not* get the money back in your sale price.
It may help the house to be sold more quickly, but that doesn't necessarily mean that the figures stack up financially.
Hmm, recommendations from both sides!! When we moved into the house it was very old fashioned but we could see past that and knew what we could do to it. I'm sure that there's people out there who don't have any imagination though! Not that its old fashioned anymore by the way!
Another question - the second bedroom is basically used as a spare room - has the tumble dryer in there and a bike and other bits and pieces. Can be tied up and other things put in the attic. BUT I've read before that you should show the room for what it is, ie a bedroom. We've never really had the need to buy a spare bed and it seems an unnecessary expense to buy one and do it out like a proper bedroom. Would that put people off do you think or would seeing the size of the room without any furniture (as such) in it help?
I do have pets ... and I know everyone is different ... but would that put people off? It doesn't smell (very clean cat and dog!) but wondered about things like the cat litter tray (a covered one). Should that be hidden or are people not bothered about that? Stupidly when we came to look at the house there were 2 cats wandering about and that made me like it even more (but I'm a softy!!).
Got a real coal fire so having that on is always a good thing to do - will hopefully entice people in even more!
Another question - the second bedroom is basically used as a spare room - has the tumble dryer in there and a bike and other bits and pieces. Can be tied up and other things put in the attic. BUT I've read before that you should show the room for what it is, ie a bedroom. We've never really had the need to buy a spare bed and it seems an unnecessary expense to buy one and do it out like a proper bedroom. Would that put people off do you think or would seeing the size of the room without any furniture (as such) in it help?
I do have pets ... and I know everyone is different ... but would that put people off? It doesn't smell (very clean cat and dog!) but wondered about things like the cat litter tray (a covered one). Should that be hidden or are people not bothered about that? Stupidly when we came to look at the house there were 2 cats wandering about and that made me like it even more (but I'm a softy!!).
Got a real coal fire so having that on is always a good thing to do - will hopefully entice people in even more!
I wouldn't buy a bed but you could put in a table and a cupboard so it can be seen as a study. The room would be down as a bedroom in the description of the house anyway. Pets aren't a put off unless they are smelly or dirty but if you're unsure of the people visiting put the dog into the garden and hide the cat litter!!!
Can you borrow a bed or sofa bed from a friend for the spare room and dress it properly it really helps if it is displayed as a bedroom as 'study' says too small for a bed.. better to remove any patterned carpets and shampoo any plain ones remove all personal touches and kitchen floor get packs of lino tiles from poundland easy to lay and cheap as chips maximise light by cleaning windows and removing any net curtains (unless you have a nasty view) leave dining table set with posey runners and flowers etc as if you were ready for a dinner party. don't have dressing gowns etc hanging on backs of doors and have some expensive toiletries in the bathroom what you are doing is giving a message this place is 'upmarket' even if it isn't staging is really important
I was in the same situation regarding no bed in the spare bedroom. I bought several boxes and put them together to make a pretend bed, covered it with a duvet, put pillows and cushions where a headboard would've been, and it looked very convincing.
I used the boxes to store stuff from the cupboards - an estate agent friend gave me this tip: take about half the stuff out of your cupboards and store it away - even in paid-for storage if need be - then fling open your cupboards to prospective buyers to reveal them half empty. It gives the impression that you have loads of spare cupboard space. Buyers like that. Definitely a good idea if you are a hoarder, like me, and your cupboards are bursting at the seams.
Fresh flowers are always a nice touch. Also fresh fruit in a bowl. And it goes without saying, everything clean, uncluttered and nicely-smelling. Apologies if someone has already suggested any of this (I'm terrible for not reading all the thread).
Good luck if you do decide to sell up.
I used the boxes to store stuff from the cupboards - an estate agent friend gave me this tip: take about half the stuff out of your cupboards and store it away - even in paid-for storage if need be - then fling open your cupboards to prospective buyers to reveal them half empty. It gives the impression that you have loads of spare cupboard space. Buyers like that. Definitely a good idea if you are a hoarder, like me, and your cupboards are bursting at the seams.
Fresh flowers are always a nice touch. Also fresh fruit in a bowl. And it goes without saying, everything clean, uncluttered and nicely-smelling. Apologies if someone has already suggested any of this (I'm terrible for not reading all the thread).
Good luck if you do decide to sell up.
De-clutter, remove any unused or ugly furniture, put things away. Don't decorate unless the paint is peeling off.Above all don't spend money.
A friend of mine sold his house after several years of refurbishment culminating in a new central heating system. A few months after selling the house he was walking past and noticed a skip outside contaning amongst other things the central heating boiler that he had had installed 6 months earlier.
A friend of mine sold his house after several years of refurbishment culminating in a new central heating system. A few months after selling the house he was walking past and noticed a skip outside contaning amongst other things the central heating boiler that he had had installed 6 months earlier.
Just sold my house and will be moving soon. It sold after my daughter came over like a whirlwind and disposed of all unnecessary clutter and hid everything away so that the house would look bigger. I couldn't find anything when she had finished, but I must admit it looked different. Not necessary to change carpets etc as jomifl said the new owners will change everything anyway. When I move I am having the bathroom ripped out and a shower room installed and the living room completely redecorated. Probably the kitchen as well, but I'll wait a bit for that.
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