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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Or is dh over getting house ready to sell?

258 replies

Shitpipe · 16/03/2021 07:03

Recently found out our extension won't be happening. So we need to move.

House is 1970s semi in popular area. It's a ftb house. We were ftb 15 years ago. Valued at 145.

To get ready to sell dh wants to:
Do new kitchen
New boiler
Laminate floor throughout whole house
Paint all rooms
Get rid of built in bookshelves
New wardrobe doors in our bedroom
Wallpaper hall and landing to hide the plaster crack

I accept new kitchen/boiler. Kitchen is no longer fit for purpose.
I think carpets could have a deep clean. Although they're a bit tufty where cats have had a go.
Agree with paint.

I think he's being over the top. H

OP posts:
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7
Nowthereistwo · 16/03/2021 07:06

Get the estate agents round and ask their opinion and price for current condition vs refurbished.

You might find it's not worth the money and hassle

ChippyDucks150 · 16/03/2021 07:07

I agree he's being a bit ott. Houses are flying out the door, even with work needing done. So do what you think is absolutely necessary, and put it up for sale. If it doesn't sell quickly, them you can do bits as you go until it does.

FauxFox · 16/03/2021 07:09

You won’t get your money back - better to sell for less than endure the time, cost and hassle of all that. (EA here Smile)

rainbowfairydust · 16/03/2021 07:10

Or save the hassle and put it up for sale and accept under the asking price of the amount you'd have spent on doing it up... Sometimes people would prefer to choose their own kitchen etc. And do it themselves.... Or price it at the level that includes needing work doing to it.

I'd understand a lick of paint as that won't cost much, but the rest is expensive and you might not get that money back

Original poster
Shitpipe · 16/03/2021 07:11

I've said all this to him. But he knows best. He asked me last night why I waslistening to my friends and not him. Didn't get it when I asked him why I should listen to him and not them.

I'm tempted to do the estate agent thing cos I'm not convinced it'll make that much difference. The kitchen, yes. The rest could have a deep clean. It's all cosmetic.

OP posts:
joystir59 · 16/03/2021 07:12

If it is a seller's market at the moment you probably don't need to do much at all. Get an estate agents viewpoint.

Original poster
Shitpipe · 16/03/2021 07:12

He's worried the kitchen will reduce price/ make it slow to sell. I know when we were ftb, we couldn't have afforded a new kitchen.

OP posts:
Thingsthatgo · 16/03/2021 07:12

You won’t get your money back. Tidy it up, and knock the amount you’d spend on it off the price.

Original poster
Shitpipe · 16/03/2021 07:13

Going to show him this thread BTW, so don't hold backGrin

OP posts:
joystir59 · 16/03/2021 07:13

Deep de-clutter, deep de-clean, deep de-personalise. Repaint tired areas. That's what we did.

pinkpeoniesplease · 16/03/2021 07:14

I wouldn't do any of it! We had similar situation re kitchen in our last house and EA told us of clients who had replaced the kitchen in order to sell and buyer ripped it out day one as it wasn't to their taste.
Honestly, people will but it to make it their own.

Put it up for sale and if it doesn't sell ask for feedback and respond accordingly.

30PercentRecycled · 16/03/2021 07:14

Do the estate agent thing. I did that years ago and the EA's advice made me change my plans and be happy to have done so.

He's having a panic. He is not listening to you. An estate agent will talk sense to him.

yearinyearout · 16/03/2021 07:15

Do you live in a area with lots of buy to let/investment properties? If so I wouldn't bother as it'll probably get snapped up by someone wanting to do it up. If you don't, and you think a FTB might buy it, I could be tempted to get the boiler and a workable kitchen installed, as it's something they wouldn't be able to afford to do generally. Speak to the agent and go with their advice.

Thingsthatgo · 16/03/2021 07:15

Have you discussed how much money that would all cost? Work out a budget, because that’s a far chunk of your property’s value.

MessagesKeepGettingClearer · 16/03/2021 07:16

I would do the minimum and test the market. Spruce what you can and price it realistically. If it doesn't sell, then you can reassess investing money into it.

Whatever you do, don't replace the kitchen with a cheap, crap one. It'll cost you and won't appeal to people still. If you do work now, make sure it's of decent enough quality to actually add value.

Random63638 · 16/03/2021 07:16

I did various things to my first house before selling it. Waste of money. Buyers ripped it all out within 6 months, they wanted it in their style. Definitely get a valuation from EA, and their professional opinion.

jerometheturnipking · 16/03/2021 07:17

Get an estate agents opinion. I think you’d be mad to remove built in bookshelves unless they’re dangerous.

midgedude · 16/03/2021 07:17

Ask your estate agent

as a recent buyer I am more wary of houses that have recently had a lot done & think cover up or trying to raise the price by making through cosmetics

WhoAreYah · 16/03/2021 07:18

Our EA told us not to replace the kitchen as it wouldn’t change the value.

LibrariesGiveUsPower45321 · 16/03/2021 07:18

Don’t replace the kitchen. A lot of buyers will rip it out anyway.

Original poster
Shitpipe · 16/03/2021 07:18

I've booked a valuation. He tends to think age and sex makes him an expert. We have many full and Frank exchanges of views.

OP posts:
MargosKaftan · 16/03/2021 07:19

Definitely get the estate agent in and listen to their advice (including if it goes against your views!). They will know the local market. As them to be brutally honest.

Also worth considering theres going to be economic fall out of brexit + covid which we haven't really felt yet. The housing market might fall if you spend 6 months doing work before getting the house on the market, making it even less worth the effort.

Original poster
Shitpipe · 16/03/2021 07:19

But the kitchen could well collapse any day now!

OP posts:
30PercentRecycled · 16/03/2021 07:20

People feel like they've got a bargain when they get a fixer upper even if the amount you knock off the price is exactly the same as it will cost them to do it up.

Plenty of people will find the house more attractive as it is because they aren't paying for your taste and can justify making it their own.

sleepylittlebunnies · 16/03/2021 07:21

Could you just paint the kitchen cupboards or replace the cupboard doors and worktop maybe. I’d try and clean the carpets, not everyone will even want laminate flooring. Also look into painting your wardrobe doors and new handles if they need an update. Painting is a good idea as it freshens the house up for little cost and allows buyers a blank canvas. If he’s bored could he start decluttering? The built in bookcases might look nice with less on them, so a mixture of books, a couple of plants and the odd ornament.