Community Chat

[itsmagic]

I agree with @tansy. Maybe you could have a couple different local realtors look at the Inside and get their opinion.   

[Azcowgirl]

We are listing our out of state rental n October. It is in a super hot market area, with low inventory, bidding wars, and sales above asking price. It was built in the 60's, is in good condition. We are not doing any renovating or updating beyond having it freshly painted. Mainly because it is out of state. But, I agree with those who think people like to choose their finishes.

Good luck with your sale.

[chrystaltree]

There is no quick and easy answer to that.  It depends on many factors and probably not what a perspective owner wants.  You make a decision like that based on the selling price and profit YOU want.  We opted to do a pretty extensive renovation on our former house because investing that money in the house got us a much higher sales price and quick sale.  We had an offer 2 days after the house was shown.   I loved that house but it was a beer house in a champagne neighborhood...so renovating before we put it on the market was a logical and lucrative thing to do.  

[chrystaltree]

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@tansy wrote:

I would definitely talk to several realtors about who your potential buyers are before investing 60k.

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        Bingo!   I hope she takes your advice, there's much more to this than she thinks.  It's complicated and I think she needs to work with her realtor on this.

[Stevie Nix]

I think you need to determine what you MUST do to the house to make it sellable vs what you would LIKE to do.  

Have you had it inspected?  Do you need to do structural, electrical or plumbing repairs and upgrades?  Sounds like you've done many cosmetic improvements, but a house built in the 30's needs to be up to code in order to sell.

I think I watch too much Property Brothers!  

[pattypeep]

@chrystaltree We most definitely understand the complications and it is our plan to have realtors involved. My dh's best friend, his brother, and his niece are in real estate. My original question was meant to solicit "opinions" from a prospective buyer's point of view as to whether they would prefer to make the decorative choices themselves and pay a lesser amount for the home. The other choice is to pay top dollar and then wish this or that was different and not buy. IE: Some people want the bedrooms carpeted, others prefer hardwoods throughout.

[kitty60]

I personally would rather pay a lower price and go in and make the changes I want.  When we look at houses for sale the first thing we do is figure out what works for us and prefer to make those changes ourselves.  I know others who can only see what is there and can't even envision changing the colors on the walls.  I don't mind moving a wall.

[mac116]

We needed to sell my mother-in-law's house when she moved into an assisted living apartment. We put it on the market without the realtor recommended improvements because the exterior of the house and curb appeal was great. We had immediate interest from a buyer to buy it as is.  He had an inspector go through it, and decided there was too much interior work to be done.  We ended up doing all of the updates. She/we did lose some  money on the deal, but just wanted to sell!

[trenet]

@pattypeep

I agree with most of the others that, if the makeover is flooring, cabinetry, etc that I'd prefer the lower price. 

The important things are structural soundness, roof, wiring, plumbing,  and lack of termites or other critters.

If you don't mind my asking, what area of the country is the house? Square footage?  (I'm planning a move, I have some flexibility as to where, and have been looking for the right property!). 

[pattypeep]

@trenet We are in the PNW between Gig Harbor (Tacoma)  and Bremerton. A view of the Seattle skyline and Puget Sound comes with the house. LOL This house will be snatched up, either way. A couple that looked at the outside a few months ago gave me their phone number and asked me to call them before we list with a realtor. That was prior to all of the outside improvements. It's a cute, cute house. I could live there in a heartbeat.