Newbie seller - what stuff do I need to fix?

[YonicProbe]

Hello!

We are preparing to sell our first home after ten years. We have quite a lot of time to prep but not much time to do things ourselves because of work.

So I am making a list of stuff that is wrong then trying to decide what is vital to fix/get fixed.

I would love ideas of bad things others have noticed about houses when looking at them so I can see if we have them (all the flaws are like part of the furniture to me!)

So far I have:

Worn carpets on stairs and landing
Dripping tank noises in roof
Missing light fitting
Wobbly floorboards
Dirty grouting
Strange bleach marks on lounge carpet though that carpet is generally nice (they were here when we arrived!)

Any thoughts welcome, thank you.

[SellFridges]

On your list, I would definitely look to fix the floorboards and dripping noises. They would suggest other issues to me. The other things are cosmetic and people may or may not notice them depending on the day.

We are in the buying/selling process at the moment and the things that have bothered us most are bad kitchens which we can't even just "live with" for a year, any sign of damp and old boilers. All suggest big costs immediately to us.

[ApplesTheHare]

What kind of house is it and what sort of buyers are your target market?

I'd focus on the dripping noise, at that's the one that suggests a problem to me.

In general there will be a minority of buyers who are looking or a house that's 100% immaculate but most will overlook wear and tear as long as the house is super clean and has a nice feel about it/is well dressed. Most people will want to put their own stamp on a place and decorate, etc., anyway.

[YonicProbe]

Thanks! It's a family house with four bedrooms, three double and one pretty small. Near a good primary so families definitely our market.

Boiler is a good one, I will check it.

Kitchen is generally ok, we have replaced washing machine and dishwasher over time so they are fine functionally . Cupboards and drawers all shut properly etc.

[DirectorofDomesticLogistics]

We are starting to think about selling our first home too, to move onto something bigger now we have children. I'd definitely be bothered by the dripping noise, but not floorboards, don't they just tend to squeak & groan with age anyway? Also I'd have thought we'd be taking the white goods from the kitchen with us unless they're integrated, is that not the done thing?

[YonicProbe]

I'm not sure, originally the whole thing was fitted (and there when we arrived) but we had to replace two items, I guess we wouldn't want to leave gaps..,

[wooooofudge]

All depends on where you are moving to if appliances aren't integrated. I wouldn't give two hoots about leaving gaps if I needed them. If they are integrated then most buyers would expect them to be left.

[RunRabbitRunRabbit]

Imagine if you were buying your house. If you were a worrier, which things would make you think:

"Oh dear, there might be something expensive to fix underlying that."

"The people who own this house don't care about maintenance. We'll find lots of things wrong when we move in."

The House Doctor used to call those things "red flags" to buyers.

[Wrinklytights]

Get an honest friend or relative to have a look for you with a critical eye.

[YelloDraw]

I would defo fix the following 'maintenance; issues because they make you think you haven't looked after the place and i'll find loads more issues when i move in:

• Dripping tank noises in roof
  
• Missing light fitting
  
• Wobbly floorboards
  
• Dirty grouting (easy to clean with some of that H&G stuff and a toothbrush)
  

I might replace the carpets with some cheap ones, but depends on your market. I replaced mine when I sold because with those sorted the house was 'ready to move into no work required'. Also cheap carpets were in keeping with the area and rest of the house IYSWIM. However if your house is a 'premium' house then I wouldn't put cheap carpets in as people will want to redo anyway.

[YonicProbe]

Thanks!

[YonicProbe]

Should we get our own survey done to help find faults?

[YelloDraw]

Should we get our own survey done to help find faults?

Nah.

[aforestgrewandgrew]

Oh yes, it is a similar thread Yonic!

Different list but definitely bookmarking for tips too :)

(Answering Yonic's comment on another thread that they're similar in case anyone wonders WTF I'm on about!)

[YonicProbe]

Our front door is varbished and the varnish has worn. Can I varnish over it? Or do I have to scrape it off and start again? Or buy a new door?!