Selling a fixer-uper- what's the min property work we need to do

[Onwardsandupwards101]

My parents are selling their house and downsizing to a smaller place. It is quote run down and will need a lot of work doing by the new owner- new kitchen, bathrooms, carpets, wallpaper/paint etc.

They are thinking of putting double-glazed windows in as a bare minimum before putting it on the market. Is it worth doing that, if any purchaser would be coming in knowing they will have to strip it down and do it up anyway? I think it is only worth doing the double glazing if it will increase the value of the property by at least double the cost of the double glazing. If they only get back what they put in (or not even that), then it's not worth the effort and disruption to them.

I know it's not an exact science, but do you think it is important to do the double glazing? Will it majorly put off buyers to see that they don't have it?

[OldRosesDoomed]

Clean all windows inside and out. Sort out the peeling paper and have everything painted cream. Put down neutral, cheap carpet. Make sure front is tidy, mend gate, bins out of view etc. Remove dated curtains wherever possible. Declutter and clear surfaces. Maximise light. If there is a scruffy adjoining neighbour then get their front tidied and windows cleaned too. Offer to pay.

[HardcoreLadyType]

I expect the agent has suggested replacing the windows, because they make the house look dirty.

They always say that if you trim the edges of a lawn, it will look neater than if you now it, and I wonder if the agent can see that crisp white window frames will look a lot smarter, without costing a huge amount.

A family with young children, for example, is more likely to be put off by mildew, because it looks dirty. Clean but shabby is livable.
I'm not saying the house is dirty, but maybe the windows make it look dirty.

[Poocatcherchampion]

Nah, I'd say do nothing. Especially if the boiler is newly done.

They just want to move and the new people will want to enjoy doing it. Many people are not put off by shabby.

[lalalonglegs]

I might be tempted to get outline planning consent for an extension if the house could do with a really obvious one, it would be one less thing for people wanting a fixer-upper to have to worry about. Otherwise, as others have said, clean and clutter-free, make sure that the EA provides a decent floorplan.

[Onwardsandupwards101]

House has a big garden, double garage and an excellent spot to do an extension along side one side of house, joining up the house and garage. The potential of the property is really great. Planning permission is a good thought.

[Sunnyshores]

Outline Planning permission would add value, it takes time though so may not be practical for your needs. Call the council and ask for a pre-application vist from a planner, our council charged £35 for that - then youll know what theyd approve and how long the process would take.

You can get DG cleaner, or companies that do it. If the windows look bad Id do that. Def not replace them on a property that needs other work too.

Other than that, squeaky clean and clutter free, do any small DIY jobs and get quotes for bigger jobs.

[bigoldbird]

Sold mum's house five years ago as she was moving to sheltered accommodation. House was structurally sound but hadn't been touched for years. All we did was empty and clean it. Sold for the asking price in less than two weeks. It needed new windows, kitchen, bathroom, and carpeting throughout.

Getting her flat organised to sell. Some of the carpets are stained but the estate agent said leave them. If there are a lot of negative comments in the first month we will rethink.

So on balance, I would say leave it and see how it goes, but definitely don't do windows unless they are dangerous.

[Onwardsandupwards101]

Thanks, all the comments are really helpful. What's DG cleaner?

[Cucumber5]

Do nothing but clean and declutter

[Cucumber5]

We have bought dooer uppers and rarely like previous windows/kitchens

Anyone who's buying something that needs work won't be fazed by getting new windows.

[FrogFairy]

Try some HG mould spray on the window frames. It smells really strong but it is good stuff.
I would just do the bare minimum to get the house on the market.

[shovetheholly]

I would just give it a really, really good clean from top to bottom. You can work wonders with that UPVC cleaner on tired-looking windows. Mine were grey when I moved in and they're now white!

Unless you are a very, very talented DIYer or a professional tradesperson who can do the work yourself, or in an incredibly hot market, the chances are that you'll spend more doing up the house than you will add to the value. Plus, it'll be loads of effort. So why bother? You might as well just sell at a lower level.

There's also time to consider - work takes a while, and markets are more shaky at present than they have been for some time. I would be wanting to get it on the market and sold asap.

[Sunnyshores]

DG cleaner = Double glazing cleaner, or UPVC cleaner

[Cucumber5]

I would aqua vac too

[TeacupDrama]

just clean try and clean windows if people doing do upper they expect windows to need replacing they may not like the ones you choose you won't get money back

1. deep clean so liveable even if old fashioned
   
2. if garden seriously overgrown strim it down
   

3 if you need to remove junk from garage just hire a skip and dump
don't paint decorate or put carpets down as if re doing they'll all have to come up anyway

1. only repair anything dangerous or broken threadbare carpets fine rugs with holes are a trip hazard so remove
   

5 declutter so room sizes obvious