Getting Ready to Sell Our House Questions.

DawnCt1

<font color=red>I had to wonder what "holiday" he
Joined
May 17, 2004
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I have had two real estate agents do a "fair market evaluation". Of course it never feels high enough for the seller and it too high for the buyer, so I guess if everyone is unhappy, it is "fair". ;) That said, she gave me some suggestions. First of all, paint the ceilings. That's reasonable although because I have cathedral ceilings in 3 rooms, not exactly affordable. Change the bathroom light fixtures. I agree with that. That can be a cheap fix. The current ones are the 1980's type with the wooden base and clear, decorative light bulbs. They are dated but I notice they still sell them. :scared1: Change the hallway ceiling light fixtures. I like the ones I have, but if I am painting the ceilings, this won't be an expensive fix either. Change the exterior lights on the front of the house. Okay, I can do that. I found one that I like for $75 so multiply that times 3. Change the light fixtures on the back of the house on the deck. That seems like overkill, but I can find some that I like for about $30 each.
Now here is the part that seems like overkill. My kitchen and baths are vintage 1984. If we stay here I would redo the kitchen and the bathroom cabinets, put in granite, etc. She suggests that I change the FAUCETS in the bathroom. They are clean, shiny and in good repair. They are the kind that operate with one hand and have the plastic,crystal knob. They still sell the faucets and I can buy new knobs. This part isn't cheap. DH can wire lights, he doesn't do plumbing. I have 6 sinks and new faucets and a plumber, that would be $1000. If I stay, I would redo the bathrooms anyway. I would assume that anyone buying this house would update the kitchen and baths.
Would YOU replace perfectly fine but dated faucets before you listed the house?
 
replacing a faucet is not very difficult. Im not sure I would replace all the lighting either, people may not like what you replace it with & end up changing it.
 
I would not replace them but I would give an "allowance" to the buyer for that. Your taste may not be someone else's taste. By giving an allowance, you acknowledge that there is a problem (i.e. outdated) but the buyer gets to pick what THEY like.
 
If the rest of the bathrooms are dated then changing the faucet won't make a difference. Can you post some pics so we can give you some feedback?

In general I'd say if you have a really ugly, old dining room chandelier or something else obvious then change that if you can. The front door light is one of the first things they'll see, so I think if that's dated it will be good to change it out. Most important is to stage well (remove ALL clutter, ALL personalization) and make sure the house is so clean you can eat off the floor.

I personally wouldn't spend $1000 on bath fixtures to sell. You're better off updating one entire bathroom for $1000 if you have that kind of money to spend.
 

To be honest I think I'd list it as it was and see how it goes. If you get some buyers great! If not then I'd start changing things. In the home we purchased that was used we changed everything out when we moved in anyway so I see your reasoning.

Good luck!
 
:wave2: Dawn

What I would do is LIST the house EXACTLY as it is. ::yes::

If you have no buyers in a reasonable period of time THEN start to make some changes. I would not go and spend money and time and energy to fix all those things the Broker stated right away.

I would have an OPEN HOUSE asap. Next weekend. Sunday. 12-4pm. See what interest that generates. The only thing I would do to prepare for that is have the house professionally cleaned. Even if you are a clean freak and the house appears immaculate to you....get it pro cleaned. Carpets as well, all pro cleaned.

The O.H. may get you an OFFER before you even did any of that work to the house.

Remember, Dawn, you are coming into a tough time to sell. All those with young families generally like to look in late spring and be settled into their new home by the start of school, which is basically THIS week. Then we have all the holidays and there is really no one looking then.

Believe me I am not saying this as a Debbie Downer....I just went through all this as I have stated on your previous threads. We could not sell our 4 yo custom built 2400 sq ft home and pulled it off the market. Did not want it sitting empty all winter and opted with a property management firm and they have is all rented for us! :teeth:
 
I would not replace them but I would give an "allowance" to the buyer for that. Your taste may not be someone else's taste. By giving an allowance, you acknowledge that there is a problem (i.e. outdated) but the buyer gets to pick what THEY like.
As a home buyer, I like this.

While a faucet or EVEN a light fixture would NEVER be a deal breaker, the option of having an allowance would be a BIG plus.

Honestly though, we would probably negotiate that cost and do the work ourselves. Then we pick what we want and when we want to get it, and you don't have to do the work.

Our deal breakers are this... roof, gutters, bathroom as a whole (not lighting fixtures of faucet, obviously), carpet, wallpaper, windows.

If we found a house like this, SOLD!!!
 
I was actually thinking that replacing the faucets was a cheaper & easier fix than light fixtures :confused3 I guess it makes a big difference when it comes to things that you know how to do yourself versus things you would hire someone to do for you. I'm sure you could replace the faucets yourself with no problem, they have nice ones at home depot and lowes pretty cheap
 
I would not replace them but I would give an "allowance" to the buyer for that. Your taste may not be someone else's taste. By giving an allowance, you acknowledge that there is a problem (i.e. outdated) but the buyer gets to pick what THEY like.

That is exactly how I feel as well.
:wave2: Dawn

What I would do is LIST the house EXACTLY as it is. ::yes::

If you have no buyers in a reasonable period of time THEN start to make some changes. I would not go and spend money and time and energy to fix all those things the Broker stated right away.

I would have an OPEN HOUSE asap. Next weekend. Sunday. 12-4pm. See what interest that generates. The only thing I would do to prepare for that is have the house professionally cleaned. Even if you are a clean freak and the house appears immaculate to you....get it pro cleaned. Carpets as well, all pro cleaned.

The O.H. may get you an OFFER before you even did any of that work to the house.

Remember, Dawn, you are coming into a tough time to sell. All those with young families generally like to look in late spring and be settled into their new home by the start of school, which is basically THIS week. Then we have all the holidays and there is really no one looking then.

Believe me I am not saying this as a Debbie Downer....I just went through all this as I have stated on your previous threads. We could not sell our 4 yo custom built 2400 sq ft home and pulled it off the market. Did not want it sitting empty all winter and opted with a property management firm and they have is all rented for us! :teeth:

Actually, I am a bit OCD and both real estate agents feel that listing our house in January is the best thing to do at this point. Right after the holidays. For me, the Christmas tree is down Jan 1st and I don't like clutter.. I don't want to move until mid April/May 1st, so we have time. The time constraint is the relocation package which expires by 6/29/10 The hard part is going to be finding a house I like as much as the one we have.
 
As a home buyer, I like this.

While a faucet or EVEN a light fixture would NEVER be a deal breaker, the option of having an allowance would be a BIG plus.

Honestly though, we would probably negotiate that cost and do the work ourselves. Then we pick what we want and when we want to get it, and you don't have to do the work.

Our deal breakers are this... roof, gutters, bathroom as a whole (not lighting fixtures of faucet, obviously), carpet, wallpaper, windows.

If we found a house like this, SOLD!!!

We have a newer roof, newer driveway, bathrooms are fine except for the cabinets. Jacuzzi tub, lots of sun light, new carpets, hardly any wallpaper and the windows are fine. New paint too! :) I will throw in a new faucets allowance.
 
I'd do the lights and things that you can do fairly inexpensively and easily yourselves. If the bathrooms are outdated, then it seems kind of pointless to update faucets now...most buyers would make an offer with the knowledge that they are planning on redoing the bathrooms anyway, and will probably end up planning to purchase faucets of their choice anyway...honestly, I might not even switch the bathroom light, if you think most people would end up remodeling the bath. Some people like brushed Nickel, others antique brass, etc. I'd maybe change the front lights, foyer light, etc, but unless you get a great deal, skip the bathrooms for now.
 
Sounds like a good plan waiting until Jan., after the holidays.
I would wait as possible on the exterior lights. The New England winters can wreck havoc on exterior lights...change them after the first of the year (ya, I know still winter BUT they would have the brand new look as your potential buyers walk up to the front door.) :teeth:
 
We have a newer roof, newer driveway, bathrooms are fine except for the cabinets. Jacuzzi tub, lots of sun light, new carpets, hardly any wallpaper and the windows are fine. New paint too! :) I will throw in a new faucets allowance.
Sounds GREAT! And at least you KNOW where your issues are, so you will be more willing to budge a little if this is an issue for a buyer.

A house that my DH really liked, I was just so turned off by, because the seller was in total denial about what needed to be done.

First of all, the bathroom needed to be gutted. The tub was GROSS, the tiles on the floor cracked, they didn't bother to CLEAN hair from the floors or mildew from the tub! :sick: And they refuse to acknowledge the bad bathroom because they just added granite to the kitchen counters! :confused3 Okay...

Also, the roof is so obviously in need of a replacement, and the gutters drain RIGHT into the driveway! ICE! Still, they won't accept this as an issue.

They were not willing to budge on their price AT ALL. All because they added granite! Seriously, I kid you not. Had they accepted our offer of $10,000 less, we might have signed that day.

I wish YOU much luck and fast success! Signed, The Enemy :laughing: ;)
 
Will the faucets make it that blaringly obvious you did not upgrade your kitchen and bath, maybe/maybe not. Depends on your colors, cabinets, etc...

The key here is how bad do you want to sell?

If you included the understanding that your home needs to be upgraded in the price, it will sell.

If you want top dollar, then you should redo the entire bathroom.
 
Master bath. Window treatments match shower curtain. (doesn't matter, not staying) Tile around the jacuzzi is a black and cream striped marble, same as the top of the vanity which you can see. Its long, double sinks. Hardwood floors in bathroom.

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Upstairs (DSs) bathroom. Note older light fixtures and faucets. ;) Hardwood floors in the bathroom

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P4080136.jpg


Half bath, tile floor. The other full bath is basically the same as the others but with hardwood floors.

P5090003.jpg
 
Dawn, your home is lovely. :goodvibes

Knowing you as long as I have here on the DIS throughout the years...you have done lovely upgrades with your home whether it was outside with the yard and the pool OR inside....why don't you list it NOW and see if you get any activity at all. :confused3

I am thinking it will go sooner than you think. ::yes::
 
I would put the house on the market as is. It's lovely...clean....in working order. As people come to view it they will provide feedback on what they like/dislike. If something stands out...change it, pronto, before the next viewing. Don't put an allowance in for the fixtures right off. That will only bring attention to them that you know they stink. Just see what buyers say. Take what realtors say with a grain of salt. That being said, if the house doesn't sell...start the changes! Good luck, too. it's a stressful time. After reviewing the pics again I would make sure all the light bulbs are lit...remove all the clutter-knickknacks, fake flowers, personal toiletries etc. Those are more distracting the the fixtures.
 
As a buyer...

Your bathroom is LOVELY! But, the first thing I noticed is NOT that the lighting fixtures are older, but that two of the four vanity lights are not working! DO they work? Are they just turned OFF? I would turn them ALL on while you move, because it was the one thing that stood out to me.

Honestly, I would change nothing. If WE moved into your house, I would probably get a new vanity anyways, and with that would come a faucet! The lights are not even an issue to me! They look just fine!

Nice house, BTW! I love that tall hallway outside of the one bathroom!!!
 
I would not do the faucets after seeing your pics.

I would however repaint the bathrooms if you can and remove all of the pic's off the walls. Those need to go. Plus remove all the stuff off of the sinks/bath.
Get rid of the plants too. Plus get a new shower curtain for your master bath and new valances for your windows. Get a clean neutral look.

Nothing on the sinks is better for pics and for showing, except for maybe a hand soap dispenser (remove it for the pics).

The plaid valance needs to be updated to something more modern.

Remember to take up all small bath rugs out of there before your pictures and showing. Makes it so much cleaner in a pic online. Esp. with the hardwood. Show off your hardwood.:thumbsup2

Anyway that is my 2 cents. I am on house #4 and we always sold within days/weeks. Go to a display house to get ideas if you want to compare.
 
As a buyer...

Your bathroom is LOVELY! But, the first thing I noticed is NOT that the lighting fixtures are older, but that two of the four vanity lights are not working! DO they work? Are they just turned OFF? I would turn them ALL on while you move, because it was the one thing that stood out to me.

Honestly, I would change nothing. If WE moved into your house, I would probably get a new vanity anyways, and with that would come a faucet! The lights are not even an issue to me! They look just fine!

Nice house, BTW! I love that tall hallway outside of the one bathroom!!!

:rotfl2: DSs are "handicapped". They can lift the light switch up but they cannot seem to lower it. I unscrew every other light bulb. Its bright enough for them. ;) DH is going to paint the hallway. We have a ten foot ladder. Off to the right is a large alcove/balcony with bookshelves. Lots of light. I am going to miss my house. :sad2::sad1:
 





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