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Property/DIY

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Original poster

Selling a house ..............and kids !

17 replies

oxocube · 22/02/2011 08:24

Not selling the kids but selling when you have children I have been reading lots about decluttering and depersonalising a house and am preparing to remove photos, all personal items, completely rid my little kitchen of everything but essentials to make it look bigger. But what about kids bedrooms? I have 3 kids and with my 9 year old's room, I can easily make it tidy, put things into storage boxes and into cupboards but what about my teenagers?

Do I ask them to remove their posters, their football trophies, the framed concert tickets, the guitars, the special momentos they have in their bedrooms? Its so hard as none of us want to move as we love the house - its a sale forced by change of personal circumstances and we have no choice. My 15 yr old especially is upset at the invasion of his space which is so important to him.

What did others do in a similar position? Any advice please? Thanks

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theyoungvisiter · 22/02/2011 08:33

Oh I wouldn't over-stress. I think all this depersonalisation is such rubbish. Definitely remove clutter and unnecessary stuff, but there's no need to go overboard and make everything look like a barrett showhome sprayed magnolia.

I'm always deeply suspicious of those kind of houses when viewing anyway - I figure if they're trying that hard they're either expecting a wopping price, or else they're trying to cover something dreadful up. My friend says "they'd done a beeney in the living room" as if it's some kind of unmentionable act!

I would just try to see it as an early start to packing, and concentrate on removing stuff that's not essential/too dear to them. Make sure the rest of the house looks good and people will be able to see above a few posters, as long as the house is priced right.

Original poster

oxocube · 22/02/2011 09:05

Thanks so much theyoungvisiter. I was hoping someone would say that! I've just read on one website about removing all books from the bookcases and putting into storage which I think is loopy! I have thousands of books - surely it would look ridiculous to have empty bookcases around the house .

And my house isn't magnolia either! Most of downstairs in cream but in all bedrooms we have one purple grey wall - at least its consistent I guess! The rooms are light and sunny and can take a darker colour I think. I am panicking because of financial pressure and the fact that I bloody love this house and don't want to sell but have absolutely no choice

The same website also said that people will nose in wadrobes etc so make sure all clothes are ironed, folded and clothes hangers facing the same way. Given how much I have to do in a short space of time, ironing is the least of my priorities and something I don't normally do at all

Back to painting and getting rid of limescale on shower screen ......

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theyoungvisiter · 22/02/2011 09:10

Well some people MAY nose in wardrobes, but if they're stupid enough to let that affect their decision on buying a house, then who cares.

Most people are normal. I can live without offers from the 2% of people who honestly care about ironed clothes when offering on a house.

notrightnow · 22/02/2011 09:21

Don't worry - I always disregard people's own stuff when looking round houses - I'm not buying your football posters! I too have had the mad advice about putting books away as 'books put people off' ?! Never understood that.

However, if your kids are unhappy about moving and concerned about people looking around, do try to not be home when people come to view. I am viewing lots of houses at the moment and really dislike it when the vendors are in - it always feels uncomfortable, as a viewer you have to be ultra polite, can't ask proper questions of the estate agent etc. That would be my top tip.

Fiddledee · 22/02/2011 10:31

I would tidy up the kids rooms a bit but not strip them bare. What you don't want in the teenagers rooms in dirty clothes on floor etc.. The clearer the floors the bigger the rooms look.

Warning lights went off in my head when you said you had thousands of books. I did take all my bookcases down and put the books in storage it does make the rooms look much bigger.

My top tip is to clean - I hate seeing dirty bathrooms and kitchens and I am not a clean freak. Hoover the carpets. If its not clean I just don't think you want to sell the house.

Definitely take everybody out when there are viewings. I think its good to be around (without kids) when second viewings happen to answer any questiosn.

It doesn't sound like you want to move which will make it tougher - can't you rent out rooms, do something to keep the house? Its awful trying to sell houses at the moment if your heart isn't in it, it will be very hard work.

LadyBiscuit · 22/02/2011 10:35

I put a lot of stuff in storage when my place was on the market and got rid of one book shelf altogether so it looked tidy and less cluttered. And I agree about going out - I wasn't there for any of the viewings and I know when I have looked at houses where teenagers are in their bedrooms, you don't really feel that you can go in and have a proper look.

Original poster

oxocube · 22/02/2011 11:06

I'm not in UK and it is the rule here that the vendor gives the keys to the estate agent and is not usually allowed to be present at viewings. I think the exceptions are elderly people but even mums with young kids go out for 30 mins or to a friend's while a viewing is taking place.

Re the books, we have a mezzanine area above the main bedroom which is in the attic. I have made this into a little library with most of our books up there on matching (cheapy IKEA) bookshelves. I am going to do a major clear out today of all the chick lit that have been thrown our way, the books the kids have outgrown, any magazines etc so that should help a lot. Will also make sure books are tidy and dusted

Have just finished the family bathroom and my hands are raw with descaling . We are throwing away a lot of stuff and I'm being ruthless with clothes which are going to the charity shops.

Fiddledeedee, have zero choice in the matter unfortunately. Just have to bite the bullet and do this lovely house justice. I just hope someone will fall in love with it like I did.

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Original poster

oxocube · 22/02/2011 11:07

Also we have no carpets, just wood floors which helps. I will make sure the house is very clean and tidy and have a couple of girlfriends coming to help with kitchen and garden on Friday

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mummytime · 22/02/2011 11:18

Do well air teenage bedrooms. Also unlike the people we bought our house from do make your son take down any girly posters, and don't let him or his friends write on the doors!
(Its why we got a big discount, but his bedroom was a bit X rated.)

mamatomany · 22/02/2011 12:05

I want a home to look like a home, it's no good us buying a homes and gardens type house because much as I would like it there's no chances of it staying like that an hour after we've moved in.

I have literally just been to the estate agents about potentially putting ours on the market and she said tidy and clean everything, finish off the painting and price realistically.

Original poster

oxocube · 22/02/2011 13:06

thanks everyone. No girly posters to worry about! Actually ds (15) has one of the cleanest and tidiest rooms in the house. Mezzanine and books done, off to tip again. Dd's (13) room is the biggest challenge

Just had a cry as I found 2 big boxes of baby clothes - favourite stuff I had saved from each child. Have chosen 2 things per child and bagged the rest up for charity shops

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honneybunny · 22/02/2011 19:45

If you are selling a family home, most likely your buyers are going to be a family. It will be nice for them to see the house "in action".

This is what our estate agent told us.

We are selling atm with 2 ds-s (5 and 7) and I am getting them to make their beds in the morning and making sure their toys and books are tidy, and I am making sure the rest of the house is clean and fresh. I did declutter the living room(s) of their toys and we did take down most of the paintings/drawings etc on the kitchen wall, but nothing too major. After all, life goes on while your home is on salse and you do also need to live there and feel comfortable. Right?

Original poster

oxocube · 22/02/2011 20:19

This is all very reassuring

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Original poster

oxocube · 24/02/2011 15:43

Oh dear, have just made the mistake of looking at my neighbour's house (directly opposite) on the estate agent's website and feel so deflated. Her house is BEAUTIFUL inside . She has 2 young kids [and a lot of issues in my opinion] but the whole place is like something from Homes and Gardens. I have to sell but don't want to but still obviously want to get the best price.

Okay, so her house is priced at a whole 100k more than we would realistically hope to get for ours, but it does make me think 'how can I ever compete'? I am spending every day painting, cleaning, repairing what I can but there is no way it matches up to the designer look of across the road (our house is very practical but more Ikea than designer). The only positive thing is that hers is obviously WAY overpriced as its been on the market for a year and no takers.

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theyoungvisiter · 24/02/2011 20:59

"Okay, so her house is priced at a whole 100k more than we would realistically hope to get for ours, but it does make me think 'how can I ever compete'?"

I think you have answered yourself

In this climate people are VERY suspicious of obviously tarted up properties. They're simply not prepared to pay £100K more just because the owner has decluttered. And even if the viewers are taken in, the mortgage valuers are not.

Truly - don't worry. Or name change and post up the pics - MNers will tell you if there's really anything glaringly wrong.

notrightnow · 28/02/2011 17:23

I think it might be a good thing! If I were looking I would rather buy yours and paint it to my own tastes, than pay through the nose for your neighbour's choices!

Original poster

oxocube · 28/02/2011 18:16

Ahh, have just had a good nosey at the plans for my neighbour's house though and understand the price hike. Apart from being expensively done out, they have converted their cellar into another apartment/office space, complete with separate entrance and bathroom. So could be a space for a student or au pair or granny flat or anything really. My teen is at the thought of having a basement as a bedroom.

Still 100k is A LOT of money ...........

I am stressing majorly as I can see all the things a potential buyer will pick up on. The owners before us laid wood floors themselves but didn't do a great job. Its okay and I don't mind it at all but I know some would prefer a perfectly laid laminate to imperfectly laid real wood. I am doing my very best to make it look as nice as possible on an impossibly small budget but at least the house will be clean, newly painted (a huge job as its a biggish house).

Just bought new cream curtains (cheapy Ikea but they will set of the windows nicely in the kids' rooms). I love this house and am gutted to leave it

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