Should we just move?

[TeaChocKitKat]

For lots of reasons we hate it where we live and want to move. Our house could do with a bit if updating. It needs a new kitchen. Would benefit from a new bathroom and there are issues with the conservatory which no contractors will touch at the moment because of covid. We had been thinking of tidying the place up and moving in 18 months or so. However, I'm starting to think life is too short to stay where you are miserable. Realistically, if we updated it, would we get our money back anyway? Would we be better selling it as it is as a doer upper for people to put their own stamp on?

I think it depends on the condition, if everything is in working order and just needs a updated to current trends etc then I wouldn't bother and just put it up for sale.
I couldn't spend a fortune to then sell and it's not guaranteed you'd get the money back tbh but it depends what it values at before and after.

I think this is quite market dependent. Around us there’s really no discount for doing the work yourself because good builders are booked solid and charging a bomb plus there’s a desirability of doing it exactly how you want. In other markets it’s definitely possible that being done up attracts a premium and you could make money. Your best bet would to look at comparable sales in your area and talk to some local estate agents. However, if you hate where you live and what you could sell for now would allow you to get whatever it is you want next then I wouldn’t hesitate to move ASAP. Life is too short to be miserable.

Every house I look at with a conservatory, I always calculate how much floor space isn’t ‘real’ as they are pretty much unusable. I also calculate the cost of removing it and replacing it with a proper extension. I really wouldn’t bother spending money fixing it unless it’s relatively new, as most buyers will remove an old conservatory pretty soon.

@EverydayCook

Every house I look at with a conservatory, I always calculate how much floor space isn’t ‘real’ as they are pretty much unusable. I also calculate the cost of removing it and replacing it with a proper extension. I really wouldn’t bother spending money fixing it unless it’s relatively new, as most buyers will remove an old conservatory pretty soon.

Thats interesting. Its an old conservatory and its falling to bits. We can't get anyone to even look at it for us:(

We've just done this. Been here 15yrs and bathroom and kitchen are fairly new but the large conservatory needs replacing and there are other things that are starting to need looking at. We are in the process of selling and have found a bigger house with some work that needs doing but we're actually looking forward to updating a new property.

Given the number of places I see on Rightmove which have been done up in dubious but expensive taste by their owners, I would say don’t bother. There are some properties where the effort and waste involved in ripping out their new decor makes it a no for me. Would have been much better if their owners had let well alone. (Having said that, do fix any structural or other major works - unless you want to sell to the real bargain hunters like developers).

I wouldn't bother doing up before selling, as it's unlikely to be to the exact taste of all potential buyers, and lots of people want to put their own stamp on a property in any case.

I'd put it on the market as is, though be prepared for some low offers; sellers always think the work will cost less than it will, buyers always think it'll cost more, for obvious reasons.

Good luck!

You've got to present your house as the best version of itself. If it's a nice house but cluttered and a bit shabby it's worth tidying it up to sell. If it needs all that work, sell it as ready for improvement & just make sure the space, features and what does/doesn't need doing are reasonably clear.