Best/Worst improvements to realty before you sell it

[wiffleball 4,793]

The Moms is looking at 1) Re-painting the cielings, 2) Steaming the ducts (big smokers) and replacing horribly stained carpet with hardwood (not found underneath).

 

My view is to replace the carpet with low to medium grade neutral shiit and that's it. Everyone changes carpets within 3 year of moving in. Doesn't seem like she'd get her money back on any of this.

 

Whaddya think??

 

 

[rholio 339]

Did you Mom smoke in the house? It'll make a huge difference if she did. Assuming so, replace carpet, drapes / curtains, paint walls and ceilings, etc. Cigarette smoke is a huge negative to selling a house, even if the buyer smokes.

[IGotWorms 4,060]

I heard kitchen renos are usually worthwhile

[wiffleball 4,793]

Did you Mom smoke in the house? It'll make a huge difference if she did. Assuming so, replace carpet, drapes / curtains, paint walls and ceilings, etc. Cigarette smoke is a huge negative to selling a house, even if the buyer smokes.

 

Yeah. Should have mentioned that. I've done what I can to air it out, but definitely.

[SUXBNME 1,594]

I heard kitchen renos are usually worthwhile

Most bang for the buck is what I've heard, also

[OldMaid 2,134]

Kitchen and bathrooms. But the rest of the house should be in good shape, as well. If she was an indoor smoker, you're gonna have a lot of work to do.

[jerryskids 6,988]

I'm a big believer that you can't clean too much when selling a house. Tens of thousands of dollars, and time/ease of sale, are potentially at stake. The purchase decision is primarily an emotional/intuitive one, and people attribute a clean house to one that is well-cared for.

 

That being said, I'm meh on a kitchen remodel. It's a lot of work and you will have to increase your selling price, and some buyers may not like the way you remodeled. Unless it looks really bad, I would pass on that.

[BiPolarBear 495]

 

Yeah. Should have mentioned that. I've done what I can to air it out, but definitely.

Odoban will fix the smokers smell.

 

http://www.odoban.com/

 

Don't forget that a lot of the smell is in the carpet you are going to replace. Turn on the A/C and spray Odoban in the air intakes with the filter removed. Put in clean filters. Naturally, the smoke is on the walls, you may want to try just spraying some Odoban around the house and see if you can skip scrubbing the walls. If you need to, you can put Odoban on a mop. If you wash the windows, you may be surprised how much camel colored smoke you get off the glass.

 

You will get rid of the smell for sure. Odoban has a clean, non-offensive soapy smell. I have cured some bad situations with it. It is great on car interiors and a big bonus for geeks is that it kill HIV virus too.

[IGotWorms 4,060]

I'm a big believer that you can't clean too much when selling a house. Tens of thousands of dollars, and time/ease of sale, are potentially at stake. The purchase decision is primarily an emotional/intuitive one, and people attribute a clean house to one that is well-cared for.

 

That being said, I'm meh on a kitchen remodel. It's a lot of work and you will have to increase your selling price, and some buyers may not like the way you remodeled. Unless it looks really bad, I would pass on that.

A nice kitchen seems to sell a house more than anything else. I think people have the easiest time imagining their life unfolding in the kitchen as opposed to other areas of the house, so that's by far your best opportunity to get that strong emotional/intuitive response you were talking about.

 

But obviously the trick is to not do anything too unique. Open concept, standard colors, gramite countertops, stainless steal appliances.

 

That's what folks in the remodeling/real estate biz tell me, anyway. OldMaid, do you agree?

[OldMaid 2,134]

A nice kitchen seems to sell a house more than anything else. I think people have the easiest time imagining their life unfolding in the kitchen as opposed to other areas of the house, so that's by far your best opportunity to get that strong emotional/intuitive response you were talking about.

But obviously the trick is to not do anything too unique. Open concept, standard colors, gramite countertops, stainless steal appliances.

That's what folks in the remodeling/real estate biz tell me, anyway. OldMaid, do you agree?

I already stated that kitchen and bathrooms are the best for your return. I would pretty much agree with everything you just said, with the exception of granite... it's on the way out and is starting to look dated. Carrara marble and soapstone are good choices at the moment.

[Electric Mayhem 35]

Portcullis

[parrot 789]

Somehow I don't think Wiff is looking at total kitchen and bath remodels here, and even if he were there it's misleading to say things like "give the best return". Kitchen and bath remodels may give the best return, but it's often still not a positive return. Now if the kitchen and bath are trashed, then yes, you might get a positive return on a remodel. Or it may be just a necessity to sell the house at all. But if the kitchen and bath are serviceable and just in need of some updating, then you're not generally going to come out ahead on a remodel with the intent of an immediate resale.

[Electric Mayhem 35]

Also landscaping, especially in the front of the house where you will get the first impression of the property.

[IGotWorms 4,060]

Somehow I don't think Wiff is looking at total kitchen and bath remodels here, and even if he were there it's misleading to say things like "give the best return". Kitchen and bath remodels may give the best return, but it's often still not a positive return. Now if the kitchen and bath are trashed, then yes, you might get a positive return on a remodel. Or it may be just a necessity to sell the house at all. But if the kitchen and bath are serviceable and just in need of some updating, then you're not generally going to come out ahead on a remodel with the intent of an immediate resale.

Generally I think this is correct, unless you are in the high-end market (where you can get a positive return from upgrades). When Wiff asked the question I assumed we were looking at a house that probably needs a little TLC to sell at a decent price.

[IGotWorms 4,060]

Also landscaping, especially in the front of the house where you will get the first impression of the property.

Good point.

 

I've got a neighbor who was having a tough time selling. Kept saying he couldn't figure out why as we're standing out front looking at his lawn where there were a few nasty dirt patches front and center, from when they had ripped out some fledgling rose bushes.

 

I'm thinking if he spent a few bucks resodding that area his lawn (and cosequently the house) will look much nicer. Why not do that when it's relatively easy? I mentioned it to him but he brushed it off like it was trivial. Well yeah, in the grand scheme of things it is trivial, but if you want someone to fall in love with your house it sure as hell can't hurt.

[DankNuggs 305]

I already stated that kitchen and bathrooms are the best for your return. I would pretty much agree with everything you just said, with the exception of granite... it's on the way out and is starting to look dated. Carrara marble and soapstone are good choices at the moment.

Theres a ton of solid surface alternatives that are cheaper than granite/marble and allow the same type of edgings and detail you get out of granite.

 

Ice stone is an expensive 'green' product that looks pretty cool, but prob not a choice in wiff's case.

 

Think wiff needs to determine a budget as to how much he wants to front on this and go from there. redoing this stuff isn't required, look at the competition and what they are getting and see if it seems worthwhile and financially possible to do it.

[DankNuggs 305]

Good point.

 

I've got a neighbor who was having a tough time selling. Kept saying he couldn't figure out why as we're standing out front looking at his lawn where there were a few nasty dirt patches front and center, from when they had ripped out some fledgling rose bushes.

 

I'm thinking if he spent a few bucks resodding that area his lawn (and cosequently the house) will look much nicer. Why not do that when it's relatively easy? I memtioned it to him but he brushed it off like it was trivial. Well yeah, in the grand scheme of things it is trivial, but if you want someone to fall in love with your house it sure as hell can't hurt.

Feed your lawn. FEED IT!

[Electric Mayhem 35]

Also from the house selling shows on HGTV that I've seen, staging is important. Take out all the personal items like pictures, unclutter wherever possible, minimize furniture and repaint to neutral colors. The idea is to let the prospective buyer picture the place with their colors/furniture/knick knacks in it rather that think of them living with your Mom's stuff.

 

Also for the carpet, you can probably just have it professionally cleaned to make it look passable. I wouldn't spend the $$$ on new carpet, since most new buyers will want to replace it anyway.

[Patriotsfatboy1 1,433]

What is the budget?

 

I would rip up the carpet and put in a laminate. Paint the walls and ceilings. Make sure that the rest of the house is clean. Have the outside be inviting (neat, green lawn, etc.). Otherwise, a major remodel of the kitchen and/or bath is probably only going to get you 80% ROI. Just make it sellable.

[OldMaid 2,134]

Theres a ton of solid surface alternatives that are cheaper than granite/marble and allow the same type of edgings and detail you get out of granite.

 

Ice stone is an expensive 'green' product that looks pretty cool, but prob not a choice in wiff's case.

 

Think wiff needs to determine a budget as to how much he wants to front on this and go from there. redoing this stuff isn't required, look at the competition and what they are getting and see if it seems worthwhile and financially possible to do it.

[shovelheadt 71]

Also landscaping, especially in the front of the house where you will get the first impression of the property.

 

Fenced in back yard

[IGotWorms 4,060]

 

Fenced in back yard

Huge. People will choose to not purchase an otherwise great house because the backyard is not fenced in. I have no idea why because it really is not that difficult or expensive to get ut done yourself, but there are some areas where the vast majority of folk just are not logical when it comes to home-buying.

 

"Oh, there's no microwave". So focking what??! As long as there's space for one you can get your own damn microwave

[Electric Mayhem 35]

Huge. People will choose to not purchase an otherwise great house because the backyard is not fenced in. I have no idea why because it really is not that difficult or expensive to get ut done yourself, but there are some areas where the vast majority of folk just are not logical when it comes to home-buying.

 

"Oh, there's no microwave". So focking what??! As long as there's space for one you can get your own damn microwave

I saw one episode of some house buying show (Property Virgins?), where the woman actually was considering one house seriously because the fridge had an ice maker.

[Quickolas1 80]

I saw one episode of some house buying show (Property Virgins?), where the woman actually was considering one house seriously because the fridge had an ice maker.

 

that'd be even better, if say, it didn't have a roof or had a crumbling foundation

[DankNuggs 305]

I saw one episode of some house buying show (Property Virgins?), where the woman actually was considering one house seriously because the fridge had an ice maker.

Thats the whole kitchen/bath thing... Women get emotionally attached in the house hunting process... They instantly create little fantasies of themselves as Holly Homemaker serving pancake brunches for the kids in her Giada outfit in her perfect little kitchen. They want that fantasy i.e. they want that house.

[SUXBNME 1,594]

I remodeled my whole kitchen myself. I think it looks pretty damn cool

[OldMaid 2,134]

I remodeled my whole kitchen myself. I think it looks pretty damn cool

I think your kitchen might serve as a "what not to do" photo.

[DankNuggs 305]

I remodeled my whole kitchen myself. I think it looks pretty damn cool

remodelled = adding bowls of cat food and clutter? Your kitchen looked relatively nice in the eggs benny vids... Figured it had to be a rental... j/k...

[OldMaid 2,134]

remodelled = adding bowls of cat food and clutter? Your kitchen looked relatively nice in the eggs benny vids... Figured it had to be a rental... j/k...

Please tell me this was the part you were joking about...

[TimmySmith 2,783]

After kitchens and bathrooms.

 

New windows and new or redone flooring.

New paint.

New light fixtures and replacement of all sockets and switches.

[frank 2,331]

Above-ground pool

[DankNuggs 305]

Please tell me this was the part you were joking about...

Thought i saw granite tops, stainless steel fridge, gas range.... Small, but seemed pretty decent from what i could remember.

[OldMaid 2,134]

Thought i saw granite tops, stainless steel fridge, gas range.... Small, but seemed pretty decent from what i could remember.

1) It's granite tiles.

 

2) The basic contractor's warehouse stock cabinets don't work in that space. (specifically, the color of the wood)

 

3) The appliances are all mismatched, if I remember correctly.

[IGotWorms 4,060]

1) It's granite tiles.

 

2) The basic contractor's warehouse stock cabinets don't work in that space. (specifically, the color of the wood)

 

3) The appliances are all mismatched, if I remember correctly.

Somebody sure has put a lot of thought into Sux's kitchen. Apparently he was right and you do want to bang him

[OldMaid 2,134]

Somebody sure has put a lot of thought into Sux's kitchen. Apparently he was right and you do want to bang him

Yep... you got me. My professional assessment of his kitchen is secret code for wanna fock.

[jerryskids 6,988]

IIRC Sux had stone floors. And by stone I mean cement.

[Recliner Pilot 61]

 

 

3) The appliances are all mismatched, if I remember correctly.

That may be.

 

But at least he was classy enough to wear a wife beater that matched his toaster.

[BiPolarBear 495]

If you really want to make an improvement that will make you a lot of money, look into getting a discount realtor. I paid exactly $2,995 for my MLS listing and full spread on the realtors website. The house sold in one month.

 

My neighbors were paying a snarky woman around $25K to $28K to sell their homes. I knew the house was going to sell with or without her. The discount realtor had many years of experience as a conventional real estate agent. He came out and went through my house and made numerous suggestions. He also coached me on showing the home myself.

 

Everything went extremely smooth with all the paperwork. I will do it again when I sell our current home.

[penultimatestraw 473]

If you really want to make an improvement that will make you a lot of money, look into getting a discount realtor. I paid exactly $2,995 for my MLS listing and full spread on the realtors website. The house sold in one month.

 

My neighbors were paying a snarky woman around $25K to $28K to sell their homes. I knew the house was going to sell with or without her. The discount realtor had many years of experience as a conventional real estate agent. He came out and went through my house and made numerous suggestions. He also coached me on showing the home myself.

 

Everything went extremely smooth with all the paperwork. I will do it again when I sell our current home.

Excellent point. Realtors, travel agents and pharmaceutical reps are probably the three least useful/needed professions.

[jerryskids 6,988]

If you really want to make an improvement that will make you a lot of money, look into getting a discount realtor. I paid exactly $2,995 for my MLS listing and full spread on the realtors website. The house sold in one month.

 

My neighbors were paying a snarky woman around $25K to $28K to sell their homes. I knew the house was going to sell with or without her. The discount realtor had many years of experience as a conventional real estate agent. He came out and went through my house and made numerous suggestions. He also coached me on showing the home myself.

 

Everything went extremely smooth with all the paperwork. I will do it again when I sell our current home.

Never heard of this, thanks for the info. AZ has standard contracts and doesn't require an attorney. No need for the full priced agent.