Selling a house that needs doing up

[DareDevil223]

DP has inherited a house from his late mum which he plans to sell after probate etc. It's a good, solid. period 3 bed semi in an Essex seaside town. It's near the beach, schools, hospital and other amenities.

However, although it's structurally sound it needs modernising, updating and redecorating. What is worth doing to get a quickish sale at a decent price and what is better left to the buyers? He doesn't want to spend a load of money if it wouldn't be worth it in terms of a return.

Many thanks.

Imo it's an all or nothing situation really, to make money you've got to do it to a high standard and spend decent money to get a good return, and also put a reasonable amount of time and effort in. So if you've got the time interest and cash it's probably worth it, if not just empty it clean it up and sell it. It's what we did with my dads place when he died. Sorry for your loss btw

I'd leave as much as possible to the buyers, no point in spending loads on new bathroom and kitchen that they won't consider add value because they don't like them personally.

Create a blank canvas, bare floorboards are better than old busy carpet.
If necessary, paint walls to make them neutral but don't bother with woodwork.

If you suspect that probate might take a while, you could use the time to apply for outline planning permission to extend which will increase the value of the property. Even if the plans are not to the buyers taste, knowing that they are likely to be able to extend is a positive thing.

Speak to some local agents.

If someone asked me I’d advise doing absolutely nothing, usually I find houses needing work sell better than those all done up. Thanks in part to all the property shows on Tv there are a lot of people who want to do a house up and make their own stamp on a property.

Great advice, thank you both. He's clearing it out, cleaning and getting rid of old carpets etc so that's good.I'll suggest looking into the outline planning permission as well.

Thank you for the condolences, she was his only relative and it's hit him really hard. He rushing around and worrying about everything to take his mind off his grief. I wish he'd let himself feel it a bit more.

Thanks also Mildura when my mum died a few years ago her house also needed modernising, it sold for over the asking price very quickly but it was in a particularly sought after road. I'm not very familiar with the Essex housing market as I live right over the other side of the country in the South-West.

Hi @daredevil
Condoleances for your loss
Im a property investor and seek out the type of properties you are describing. If you have a brochure/ link to the property I would be more than happy to have a look at it for you and give you an opinion.
PM if this is of interest to you.