House condition and price

[lll77]

I'm planning to put my house up for sale as I would like a smaller property now the kids have left home.

It is a good family house and has loads of period features and very big garden. A lot of the time that I've lived here, I've been quite short of cash (lone parent) so there are various bits and pieces that are a bit tired. One bedroom in particular is pretty tatty. I could spend some money getting it all done but frankly, I don't really want to and would rather spend my time, money and effort on a new place rather than this one.

I know if I ask the agent they'll probably just say to put it on the market as it is, but I can't really get my head around how much difference condition really makes to price. It is definitely in move in-able condition, but I guess a prospective buyer would want to give it a general spruce up decoratively and would probably also want to replace the kitchen fairly soon.

Does this stuff make a real difference to price, or is a place being in tip top condition more more about ease of finding a buyer than price?

I think it would help to spend £250 on some paint and a new carpet. Even though when I view houses I know I'll be putting my own stamp on and redecorating, I think it somehow gives me the message that a house hasn't been cared for if it obviously needs decorating. I then start to wonder if other maintenance hasn't always been done.
Painting a room costs so little but I wouldn't go to much more expense than that. The last house I sold ( before the current one I'm selling) sounds similar to yours and I, too was a lone parent. I knew the house would sell no matter what ( fantastic area, original features etc) but I think I got top price for it by just making sure the rooms were all painted

I think decluttering and getting rid of extra furniture, or dated furniture, before real estate photos are taken is hugely important in a family home. I also vote for a coat of paint. But nothing more.

Currently looking for a house like yours!

IMO if the kitchen and bathrooms are good I am ok with it as I expect to dec rooms & bedrooms to my own taste.

Good luck

Depends how tatty it is...

If it is just lived in, then that's fine. If it clearly hasn't been touched in 15 years, and is grubby I would tend to think that basic maintenance had been neglected too

Kitchens, bathrooms, hallways / stairs and older carpets can look dirty just because they are old. If this is the case, it would be worth spending a couple of hundred quid and a weekend refreshing the paint work / grouting and steam cleaning the carpets

we just moved into a house that was tatty- we paid 237k whereas the 'done up' ones two doors down went for 250k, its a noticeable difference. In two weeks we have so far spent 3k in improvements which already makes it look like a different house!

So it’s worth spending some money to get a better price. I have bought a house with older style kitchen and bathrooms but not tatty. There is a difference.

I don’t like peeling wallpaper and paint, rotten windows, messy houses, doors off cupboards, grubby carpets and floors, knocked about paintwork and greasy unclean kitchens. Lots more too. We renovated the house we are in but I wouldn't buy someone else’s grot without a substantial discount.

Buy some paint and make it look fresh. Why not make it appealing to more people in a difficult market? You might not sell if you don’t do this or you will have to price it very competitively. Be prepared for haggling.

thanks all, seems to be a consensus that a bit of sprucing might be worth my while.

Guess that's my Christmas hols planned then..!

If it isn't filthy don't touch it. If it is just clean it. Mould is a massive no no, but old wallpaper etc is no problem at all.

People want to put their own mark on a period property like yours. If they wanted a turn-key 'Fisher Price Mansion' , they'd buy one off Barratts.

Plus they always think they're getting a bargain with a house that's a bit rough round the edges, even though invariably it makes no difference.

I own 11 properties btw, and have been in this game for over 20 years. Without seeing the property I can't say I'm 100% certain in my assessment, but if I was going by my experience I wouldn't touch a thing except mould. What we see on daytime TV, and the reality of this industry are far, far different.

This is one situation where I would advise you listen to your estate agent. They do this every day.

Just my 2p. Good luck with the sale :)