Redecorating to sell a property

[Cantstayawake]

When you're looking at houses to buy do you expect that they Are newly decorated?
Or would you expect to redecorate to your own taste?
If the house was in a higher price bracket would you be put off if there was a bit if wear and tear in the decor?

Looking to put house on the market and wondering whether to bother with redecoration. Some things need doing but there are some areas that a just a bit lived in -no massive scuffs just from having animAls and children in the house.

Would like to get the house on the market ASAP but having trouble finding a decorator to do the ?work quickly so wondering how much we could get away with not doing!

Opinions please.

Fairly neutral decor works well. I would say that what you don't want to see is something which looks like it could be indicative of a bigger problem, so any lifting wallpaper needs sticking down so no one thinks the place hasn't been looked after or there is damp.

If you've got anything very striking and not to everyone's taste such as lots if bold colours or woodwork painted an unusual colour then I'd tone it down.

Lighter colours make a place look larger, darker ones make it seem smaller and more closed in.

Make sure all those little maintenance jobs that need doing are done.

I'd rather somewhere was clean and tidy than feel as though I had to redecorate everywhere straight away although a room or two wouldn't bother me. A definite turn off if I was comparing places would be the one with woodchip wallpaper or with painted textured wallpaper. Oh and artexed ceilings or walls.

TBH I would much, much rather buy a place which was a bit lived in which we could put our stamp on, than buy a place which had been cheaply done up immediately before sale which we would then have to rip out because we wanted to upgrade the fixtures.

We have had to pull out of one purchase (doer upper but in moveable in condition) solely because of the vendors messy divorce. We are instead buying a beautifully done up new place. Whilst the finishings are lovely, and expensive, I'll still have to get rid of the induction hob and replace it with gas which seems like a real waste as I know it was very expensive having looked at the model.

If you're in a reasonably fast paced market OP then I really wouldn't bother and don't think it will affect the value of your home. You could try asking the EAs who come around to value though to see what they think?

I think it depends how clean and scuff-free your paintwork is, and whether any of the colour schemes are a bit 'out-there'.

We redecorated our hall and stairway before we sold our last house, as it hadn't been done for ages and was really mucky. Also one of the bedrooms as my teenage DD had painted it black and multicoloured stripes! Thought that might put people off a bit.

If it's clean and in good condition, and fairly neutral, I wouldn't bother.

Thanks for the feedback. Most of it is in fairly good condition and not really out there colours though there are a couple of darker coloured rooms. We have big windows and entry of light though so it doesn't feel dark. It's a period property (town house) at the upper end of the market which is why I wonder if people will expect immaculate. I have seen plenty of properties and it puts me off a little though I usually want to redecorate in my own style anyway so aslong as there are no major faults I'm happy to overlook it. I know not everyone is the same!
I think we will just go ahead and do the scruffier areas which are only in need of another coat to tidy up.
Thanks again

It also depends on what the market is like. I anticipated having to 'do ours up' eg mend the gate that's been broken for the 9 years that we have lived here etc. However, we're in London where practically every property is going to sealed bids after one open day.

Upon the advice of local friends who moved recently, I just washed down the grubby walls, repainted a couple of window sills which had peeling paint and redid the bathroom sealant. Decluttering, cleaning windows and mirrors, deep dusting/hoovering made a lot of difference.

Had about 20 people round, 4 over asking price offers and no-one mentioned anything about the condition or decor.

Hth.

Lessons - why are you getting rid of induction hob? They are wicked!! But glad to hear you found a place - where have you ended up?

If its just a few scuffs potential buyers likely won't notice.
personally I think most people redecorate when they move into a new house but it's nice if it's not urgent iykwim.

neutral colours are good, unusual decor might put some people off but most people are interested in the size/layout/location of the house rather than the decor.

Two things which were a no-no for me when house hunting were skirtings/facings which would need replaced and lots of wood chip wallpaper!

Personally I think the most important thing is to present the property clean with things tidied away or at least in tidy piles. I think you expect to change things when moving, but other people's dirt isn't attractive.