How much redecoration before selling?
Discussion
Relatives house needs some work, but he's planning to sell in the next few months (relocation). There are a few jobs that certainly need doing, EG stains in the living room ceiling after a water leak in the bathroom, stair rail coming loose. But what about elderly paint or slightly threadbare carpets? The kind of thing that buyers might change anyway but could still put them off. Doing all the jobs he’d do if he was going to stay there another 10 years would be silly, but where do you draw the line?
The last two houses I've sold, I decluttered everywhere, and boxed everything up in the garage, painted every wall magnolia, and glossed all doors and skirting to turn it into a sellable blank canvas for the next buyer, just the basic furniture and a bit of "dressing". I did get the carpets properly cleaned, so at least they were usable for the next owner until they needed replacing.
The first was a 2 bed terrace, the second a 3 bed semi, both took two long weekends, about £100 each in paint & tools, and both sold within a week.
I'd rather spend the money on my new place, and took the opinion that by buyers would feel the same.
The first was a 2 bed terrace, the second a 3 bed semi, both took two long weekends, about £100 each in paint & tools, and both sold within a week.
I'd rather spend the money on my new place, and took the opinion that by buyers would feel the same.
I'd say magnolia everywhere, de clutter where possible, make good anything wobbly that would be noticeable and find the cheapest carpet going and get it fitted and leave it at that.
You've got to think that people will be more happy putting an offer in somewhere they know they could leave it as it is for a couple of years rather than having to replace everything straight away and spending a lot of money they might not have at the start.
You've got to think that people will be more happy putting an offer in somewhere they know they could leave it as it is for a couple of years rather than having to replace everything straight away and spending a lot of money they might not have at the start.
Clearing out clutter is probably worth more than redecorating.
However, making the front look appellation for the photos is worth doing. For the last house (Sold in November), I did the following:
sanded and painted the front door (Inside and out)
replaced door furniture (Knocker and letter box)
fixed and painted the fence
painted the window sills
painted the window frames on the prch as well as painting the porch interior.
On the inside, we decorated the hallway for not a not of money painted the woodwork.
We re-painted the entire garage at the previous house. That was a real pain and it was in the depths of winter too. The finish on the garage was appalling too.
Planning on keeping much more up to date with this house. How easy that will be with two kids...I'm not sure.
However, making the front look appellation for the photos is worth doing. For the last house (Sold in November), I did the following:
sanded and painted the front door (Inside and out)
replaced door furniture (Knocker and letter box)
fixed and painted the fence
painted the window sills
painted the window frames on the prch as well as painting the porch interior.
On the inside, we decorated the hallway for not a not of money painted the woodwork.
We re-painted the entire garage at the previous house. That was a real pain and it was in the depths of winter too. The finish on the garage was appalling too.
Planning on keeping much more up to date with this house. How easy that will be with two kids...I'm not sure.
I would definitely get rid of the damp stains on the ceiling. You will need a coat of Ronseal Damp Seal or similar over the stains and a few inches either side. Then new white emulsion. Leaving it indicates a problem (even though you know the problem was cured).
I agree with other re the Magnolia. I hate the colour but it does give a blank canvas.
Get rid of the threadbare carpets - they indicate a lack of care for the property.
The main thing is to give the impression of a clean and cared for house. The moment you leave anything obvious, the potential buyers will focus on it and either reduce the offer or walk away.
Having said that - price is everything.
I agree with other re the Magnolia. I hate the colour but it does give a blank canvas.
Get rid of the threadbare carpets - they indicate a lack of care for the property.
The main thing is to give the impression of a clean and cared for house. The moment you leave anything obvious, the potential buyers will focus on it and either reduce the offer or walk away.
Having said that - price is everything.
When I sold my flat I painted all but one room, put new flooring in four rooms, retiled the bathroom and kitchen, boxed in the bathroom, put new appliances, sink, worktops and door fronts in the kitchen and massively decluttered to a rented garage. Then I bought a few plants and pictures.
I probably spent about 6 - 8 grand in total but I wanted every buyer to come in and see that there was absolutely nothing they needed to do to the place. It was more to make the difference between selling and not selling, rather than to get the biggest price, as it had been looking very tired before.
However, it was worth it. The flat sold in a month, for the most a flat in that block ever achieved, before or since.
I probably spent about 6 - 8 grand in total but I wanted every buyer to come in and see that there was absolutely nothing they needed to do to the place. It was more to make the difference between selling and not selling, rather than to get the biggest price, as it had been looking very tired before.
However, it was worth it. The flat sold in a month, for the most a flat in that block ever achieved, before or since.
I had a tired 1990's 3 bed semi which needed a bit of updating. The previous occupants were elderly and had tastes that don't really suit more modern new builds! I'm not much of a hoarder so the place was tidy and clutter free but I did spend a lot of time and effort on it to make it saleable. I didn't spend too much money as the houses in the street had a ceiling and it wasn't worth investing.
As mentioned above, magnolia paint everywhere. I skipped the woodwork and ceilings which I know is a big no no in decorating terms but it was quicker and easier and freshened the place up. I kept the original kitchen carcasses and replaced the doors and handles with more up to date white high gloss units, did some cheap flooring work in the bathroom and re-panelled the bath, etc. The kitchen cost me £340 all in. Actually the bathroom looked amazing when I'd finished, I wished I had done that earlier but I lived in the house alone and wasn't too bothered about it. It wasn't until Mrs Toon moved in that the list of jobs to do grew. Anyway, i digress...
Finished off with staining the decking and fence in the garden and a bit of weeding to tidy that up and I sold the house in 6 days to the first buyer who came to view it. I didn't add any value to the house but made it more presentable to help it sell fast.
Try to make sure each room is presented as the room was intended to be if possible (i.e. spare bedroom with a bed and wardrobe in it rather than a treadmill, ironing board and load of boxes!)
As mentioned above, magnolia paint everywhere. I skipped the woodwork and ceilings which I know is a big no no in decorating terms but it was quicker and easier and freshened the place up. I kept the original kitchen carcasses and replaced the doors and handles with more up to date white high gloss units, did some cheap flooring work in the bathroom and re-panelled the bath, etc. The kitchen cost me £340 all in. Actually the bathroom looked amazing when I'd finished, I wished I had done that earlier but I lived in the house alone and wasn't too bothered about it. It wasn't until Mrs Toon moved in that the list of jobs to do grew. Anyway, i digress...
Finished off with staining the decking and fence in the garden and a bit of weeding to tidy that up and I sold the house in 6 days to the first buyer who came to view it. I didn't add any value to the house but made it more presentable to help it sell fast.
Try to make sure each room is presented as the room was intended to be if possible (i.e. spare bedroom with a bed and wardrobe in it rather than a treadmill, ironing board and load of boxes!)
When we sold a couple of years back we painted everything but tried to get as near as the original colour as possible as it would only need one coat! Speeds things up no end.
Just make it look clean and fresh. Most buyers will want to put their own stamp on it so don't go mental and spend thousands that you may not get back.
Put a few rugs down to hide the worst bits of the carpet. Declutter and depersonalise it. Make the front of the house look spic and span - it's the first thing buyers see and sets the tone for the rest of the viewing and usually the first picture people see on Rightmove.
Just make it look clean and fresh. Most buyers will want to put their own stamp on it so don't go mental and spend thousands that you may not get back.
Put a few rugs down to hide the worst bits of the carpet. Declutter and depersonalise it. Make the front of the house look spic and span - it's the first thing buyers see and sets the tone for the rest of the viewing and usually the first picture people see on Rightmove.
Couple of hundred quid on a freshen up never hurt anyone, od always be concerned they were going to walk round and then use it against you when they chucked an offer in.
Someones already said try and match the paint so it covers easier, woodwork would be a pain but maybe get away with just a scrub and a wipe down.
Someones already said try and match the paint so it covers easier, woodwork would be a pain but maybe get away with just a scrub and a wipe down.
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