Selling a house

[Birchtrees]

I am getting my house ready to sell. We asked an agent to value it and give some pointers on what needed to be done. She suggested replacing some carpets which just need to be cleaned in my view. Also redecorating some of the house and replacing a window pane and window seal.
I do wonder if it would be better just to clean the carpets and maybe expect a bit less for the sale as will we really recoup the money? She also suggested replacing the metal rings round some bathroom lights as they are rusty. I have no idea how to even go about that. In all likelihood whoever buys the house will put in a new bathroom and possibly a new kitchen anyway. . What would you do?

Just clean the carpets. If the window is broken, get the pane replaced.

things that are decorated/replaced for sale are likely going to be a waste of money when the new owners move in. But you also want the house to look like it’s been looked after and is clean even if a bit tired.

You asked her suggestions
it’s not a command

try cleaning them, if not looking good replace the worst ones with cheap carpet. Tapi carpets on a roll are very reasonable, & hardwearing, and start at £4 a m2.

Changing blown window panes is likewise very cheap and make a huge difference.

and rusty fittings look awful, if you can’t change, use a metal paint.

If the window is blown, definitely replace it. For a buyer, it's a red flag that you haven't kept on top of routine maintenance.

Definitely hire a rug doctor to clean the carpet, and replacing the light fittings isn't going to be hard or expensive.

As others said, they are suggestions rather than orders.

I would have the carpets cleaned and replace anything broken.

If you rub around the metal light fitting with steel wool the rust will come off and you can paint a crime paint over it to touch it up. Rusty light fittings would put a lot of people off buying your house because it gives the impression it's not been cared for. Also the window pane needs sorting too. The carpets not so much as a buyer might want to put down laminate or their own choice of carpets. It's hard when you live in a house everyday and are busy you don't notice little things others would notice. I've just gone and looked critically around my kitchen and noticed the grout between tiles needs a clean, I'd not noticed it before. Also skirtings could do with fresh paint as a few marks on.

I would replace a broken window as that’s the fabric of the house. I wouldn’t brother with new carpet as it will get changed anyway.

FTB here. Replace the broken window. Don’t replace the carpet.

If it helps I'm selling a property with three blown panes of glass, my estate agent said to leave them and it didn't stop me getting offers. I think people realise its not a big job to get them swapped.

I did do some painting though, so overall the property was well presented.

Give everywhere a good clean, get rid of any clutter. Repair any BROKEN window or anything. Be prepared to have offers a bit less than you're asking.

Most buyers will be looking to replace carpets, in time, so as long as they're clean I definitely wouldn't spend money on that, given the inconvenience of having carpets replaced I'd rather accept an equivalent reduction in price.

I got all the doors replaced in my kitchen and they basically ripped everything out. See also carpets. I was gutted. They also binned my very expensive curtains that we left them.
I'm not bitter at all...no,no.

And the EA is bound to advise you to do more rather than less, because the odd seller who wants it “done” is another possible sale for them and the EAs don’t bear the cost of re carpeting etc!

This is all very helpful. Thanks.