Buyers’ preferences?

[Quicksalewanted]

We are planning to put a 2 bed detached bungalow with a large garden on the market (probate sale).
It has a new kitchen and bathroom (less than 5 years old) but the general carpets and decoration are bland, doggy smelling and tired.

We plan to paint everywhere and replace all carpets to market it as basically ready to just move into.

I have no idea about style- what colour carpets and walls would be best to appeal
to buyers?

Thanks!

Honestly, I'd stick with white on walls and skirtings and go for a decent but neutral carpet (brown/beige). When taking photos though, make sure to include plants and some decorations that add a little colour.

I'm not sure I'd bother. I sold my aunties after she died and EAs all said not to bother and that it would likely be purchased by a developer who would rip everything out and turn it into a 4 bed house. This is indeed what happened. The plot size made it attractive.

My parents are now moving to a sheltered apartment and I'm about to sell their 2 bed detached bungalow in the same area as my aunt's was. I'm not planning to do any works to it.

I guess it depends on area and who is likely to buy the bungalow really. Have you spoken to any Estate Agents? They will be able to tell you if the expense is likely to pay off.

I wouldn't spend money on new carpets unless they are actually threadbare. A professional (or just very through DIY) shampoo will suffice in most cases.

White walls and woodwork.

Yes to white walls and woodwork.

Not grey!

Either neutral carpet or laminate floor. If money is tight prioritise the rooms which show most benefit like lounge, hallway and main bedroom.

Honestly I would just leave it as it is. You’d be amazed by what people happily buy!

Our house hadn’t been redecorated since it was built (mid 90s), think garish yellow walls and blue patterned carpets. I was planning on getting new carpets, painting the walls etc before putting it on the market but the estate agent advised me just to leave it alone. Soon we had 20 viewers, a bidding war and within a week of being advertised it had sold at a price I could never have even dreamed of!

I would paint the walls a neutral colour and hire a carpet cleaner to help get rid of any smell or stains in the carpet. Would he cheaper and less waste of the buyer wants to replace the carpet with laminate, for example.

>You’d be amazed by what people happily buy!

What year is this? This is very rarely happening in 2024.

Everyone is different so it's not worth trying to second guess what they will like

To maximise appeal - clean

Don't replace carpets as tastes vary hugely and people get suspicious of new stuff just before a sale - same can be true of fresh paint

Agree with others, fresh coat of white paint everywhere as it will make it look clean and then shampoo the carpets. It might not totally get rid of the dog smell (unless they've been defecating and urinating on the carpets then maybe pull them up) but it will do enough. Xx

I wouldn't bother either. Bungalows on big plots are so sought after. It just needs to be clean and presentable.

Very recent. 18 months ago. Good housing (aka not new build estates..) is sought after and people are desperate to buy anything at the minute within their price range. A 4 bed house for £350k in a nice, quiet area with lots of space was understandably in demand.

Fair enough. Not a lot of areas are sought after enough for a home in that condition to sell.

Can you not just clean the existing carpets? Or, if no time, hire someone to do it?

Carpets just get them cleaned, my mum is hunting for a bungalow and unless it was really good quality and the right colour she'd just change it. If anything an obvious new but not high quality carpet would put her off. If the walls and woodwork are sound just give them a good scrub with sugar soap, new paint is a warning sign to look for damp.

We just sold DM's house. We were absolutely told to put in new cheap carpets in places where there was no oak flooring. We also painted the existing kitchen units dark blue. We were told that no one wants to do work, so we needed to make an effort. Sold in two weeks.

As others have said, if it's on a road where it is likely that a new buyer could get planning permission to knock it down and build a two storey house then nobody will care what the inside is like.

Also, again as others have said, just make sure everything is clean.

I would prefer no carpet at all rather than stinking smelly ones. Also means it is easier to repaint. If you were to repaint the walls a white tone then rip out the carpets this would be a plus for a buyer.

Thank you all for your wise words:)