Separating from DH and need advice on house sale

[Changeofplan]

I've NC'd for this as I don't want to be associated with my previous posts.

DH and I are separating and I'm keen to get the house on the market asap. We're still living together. It's a 1930s large-ish semi in a nice area in a nice town, so I'm hoping we won't have too much trouble selling, but it needs quite a lot of work doing to it to make it presentable.

Obviously we now don't want to spend any money on it unnecessarily but what's the advice regarding short-term improvements? The bathroom's awful (we inherited it when we moved in two years ago) but I'm doing a bit of re-tiling and having a new bath panel put in. The kitchen really needs replacing, but other than giving it a really good clean there's not much we can do.

I'm re-painting the whole of the upstairs as the walls are old and tired, and I've already redecorated downstairs so that looks good but.... are there any other tips that would make the house more sellable? Awful time of year to be selling, but we're not planning to put it on the market until we've had some valuations done in February. The garden is nice, but at the moment looks abandoned and sad. I'm hoping that thngs might look better if we have photos done in March. Don't want to spend unnecessary cash as you can imagine. Thanks all.

The usual advice (which I agree with) is don't spend much money on anything as the new owners may not like your taste and may prefer to put in a new kitchen or bathroom anyway. Decorating is good though, as is decluttering - get a skip and throw out any clutter you have that won't be going with you.

It sounds like a good house in a good location so shouldn't be too hard to sell as you say, as long as you price it realistically. Don't necessarily go with the highest valuation but with the one that seems right to you after you have done lots of your own research into what comparable houses are being sold for in your area.

If you leave it to the Spring the garden will look better, and you could spend a bit of money on new plants etc to ensure it looks appealing.

Don't do the kitchen don't do the bathrooms.

Redecorate so that they look cleaner, tidy them up but the new ones may not be to the buyer's taste and frankly bathrooms and kitchens cost a lot right now (currently renovating).

Declutter, think about who is likely to buy it and stage for that - put stuff and furniture in storage if necessary.

Declutter, decorate neutral if needed and make sure it's very clean , very tidy and front of house looks in good order- door painting if needed, garden very tidy etc- biggest thing though is always price and location- most things sell if priced at the low end of valuations

What you've said makes sense. Advice so far is sound, especially about decluttering and cleaning. I'd add:

Fix small broken stuff e.g. holes in walls, cupboards hanging off hinges, wonky shelves, missing handles on kitchen drawers etc. You probably don't even 'see' this any more but buyers will.
Reduce amount of 'big' furniture like massive sofas or huge armchairs to make spaces larger.

Think about improving 'kerb appeal' and how it looks from the road/main entrance.

I put mine on the market after seeing a house I liked ( would like to downsize to a two bed).
My garden looks awful, geraniums all brown and floppy and no sight of how lovely the clematis, Rose's and honey suckle can look. But I've swept and tried to tidy it up and the shed is full of garden cushions and I've put the recycling bin in there too.

House is decluttered and tidy,I went with the only keep beautiful or useful theme and it's looking good.
The stair carpets could do with a clean,they look a bit worn but new buyers may change. And the back door seems to grow green algae at the bottom every winter but I'm leaving it( well,I've wiped it) but would rather potential buyers see the small imperfections. Yes I'm too honest!
The tumble dryer is in the cellar,down a hatch...the cellar is 5 foot tall and has no solid floor,just dry mud!
House is painted in farrow and ball and I light a fire before every viewing so it looks cosy.
I've had four viewers,three by people yet to go on market but have put theirs on as loved mine.
A couple had a second viewing but couldnt park! So I doubt they will be back.

Someone will love yours so just a tidy,clean and make it welcoming..good luck

@Barleymilk
@Crikeyalmighty
@Gerwurtztraminer
@Octavia64
@Twiglets1
Thank you all for your sage advice! I will do what I can following all your tips, and if I remember, will report back when we sell!

Thanks again 😊

Please do if you remember, I love an update 😀

@Twiglets1 me too!!