WWYD-Upgrade appliances before selling home? UPDATE pg 2

Have you looked on craigslist or in the classified ads near you to see if anyone is selling used/newer SS appliances? This could save you a lot - and you could also get some $$ back by selling your bisque appliances. I wouldn't put $4000 into new appliances because you will never get that back. Also, if you have a built-in dishwasher is it the type with the panel in the front? If so, you could save money by purchasing a new panel (or even flipping it over if it is black on the back.) Many SS appliances have black accents and it would not look too out of place. You will not see 100% return on the appliances - as others said, you may want to skip the appliances if you can't get them at a great cost and do $4000 in other small upgrades throughout the rest of the house instead.

I can't see my DH going used for appliances, so I don't think that'll work. Based on my trip to lowes today, it looks like I could get everything for about $2700+/-.

As far as other upgrades...I'm having the house completely painted in a very neutral light tan kind of color. I've also had the MBR bath ceramic tile professionally cleaned (boy, that was CHEAP!!! I can't believe I didn't do that before!) and I'm recaulking every thing that needs it. The carpets are neutral and in very good shape. I've also swapped out the bathroom cabinet knobs and am in the process of major de-cluttering/organizing. Any other ideas would be really appreciated!
 
I would update the appliances to SS. I do speak from experience having "flipped" 4 houses in the past. Most people will want the upgraded SS appliances. You could also get the SS "look" appliances. They look just like SS but no fingerprints and you can put magnets on them!LOL My mom has them and they look great. I believe they are Kenmore from Sears. We renovated our kitchen and have the SS appliances and I hate the fingerprints and the fact I can't hang my magnets with my kids school/art work on them. They do look really great when they are clean.
 
I can't see my DH going used for appliances, so I don't think that'll work. Based on my trip to lowes today, it looks like I could get everything for about $2700+/-.

As far as other upgrades...I'm having the house completely painted in a very neutral light tan kind of color. I've also had the MBR bath ceramic tile professionally cleaned (boy, that was CHEAP!!! I can't believe I didn't do that before!) and I'm recaulking every thing that needs it. The carpets are neutral and in very good shape. I've also swapped out the bathroom cabinet knobs and am in the process of major de-cluttering/organizing. Any other ideas would be really appreciated!

I disagree with people who say that you won't get the money back from the appliances. If they help your house to sell faster, you avoid carrying costs for the extra period of time that the house would have been on the market, in effect "getting your money back" and then some.

My other suggestion would be to upgrade the bathroom vanities to granite. We found a local place that sold remnants for a cheap price. We got to choose anything A through D grade, we picked our own remnant, and they did the edging, one sink hole, and install for free with the purchase of the granite! Even after buying an undermount sink from Loews and nice new brushed nickel faucet, we did the bathroom in granite for under $400:thumbsup2 It looks awesome. We chose a C grade granite I think. I love it!

Also, if you have a Habitat for Humanity "Restore" store nearby, they will come pick up your old appliances and give you a donations slip for them so you can write them off on your taxes:thumbsup2
 
Also, if you have a Habitat for Humanity "Restore" store nearby, they will come pick up your old appliances and give you a donations slip for them so you can write them off on your taxes:thumbsup2

You know, for some reason I didn't think of them for the appliances! I planned on donating some unused paint and other odds n ends but it didn't even occur to me that they might want the appliances!
 

Few comments to the OP
In most buyers minds ss/ updated kitchen means a house that has not been neglected.
Besides looking at lowes-check with your Kitchen suppliers(you never know if there is an outdated model) also price BB and Sears and HD they all have price matching.

Unless your market is untouched but the recent RE problems it might be difficult to seell your home( mine-in MA- did not sell in 10 months and my brothers-in FL- hasn't sold in the 4 months he has had his on the and he upgraded his appliances and landscaping)-You never know and have to be prepared for what might happen(If you must move-the possibility that this might become a rental)

Good Lock
 
We've bought and sold a lot of houses. One way to get an edge in a tricky market is to make sure your home is spotless. I usually hire a cleaning team to come, do a deep clean, give it that extra sparkle. During the time it's for sale, I generally use paper plates, and anything else that is a time saver (clorox wipes, etc.) I'm able to keep up with the day to day after the team has visited. It's not always fun, but we've found it makes such a difference in the speed of selling.

I usually pick up about 5 boxes early on and use them to clear out clutter and pictures, so the rooms look more spacious, less personal to us. Get plenty of vac bags, and just plan to do some vacuuming each day.

OP mentioned replacing the cabinet pulls-this really helps. Murphy's Oil soap makes disposable wipes, if you can use them on your type of cabinets they really do a great job of cleaning general kitchen grime off cabinets. I wipe, and then buff with a soft cloth. I finish with new pulls. Makes your kitchen look new, for very little money.

If you do replace appliances, pop all the books/warranties in a drawer in the kitchen to leave for the new owners. Buyers really appreciate this.

If you want to sell faster than the next guy, price carefully, and then keep the house in top show condition.
 
I watch lots of those Designed to Sell, House Hunters....shows like that. Many people go for the house that has the updated, upgraded kitchen with ss. I would definitely put it in. Even if you don't get to ask $2700 more for your house, you could sell it much faster which is worth money also!
 
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If you do replace appliances, pop all the books/warranties in a drawer in the kitchen to leave for the new owners. Buyers really appreciate this.
My builder used the book idea and we've referenced it countless times, so I planned on leaving that (along with any new books accumulated over the years) for the new owner.

Thanks to everyone for their advice, I really appreciate it!
 
If you knobs look good other than the color, you might try spray painting them. They have some great paint these days. This might save a couple hundred and still give that updated look.

Wendy
 
Ok, here's what we've done:

I called a realtor who used to be the salesperson for my builder. He used my house as a model to tour whenever he had someone interested in my particular model home, so he knows my house. Anyway, he suggested that I replace my microwave, stove and dishwasher with stainless steel. He said not to upgrade my fridge since many people have particular features they want in a fridge and will buy a new one or bring their old one. So, yesterday we went and bought new appliances and hope to have them installed in the next week or two. Total cost was about $1700. I also contacted Habitat for Humanity and they said that they will come get my old stuff, so thanks for that suggestion!

The realtor also recommended that I swap out my powder room faucet for a new one to update it. That'll be DH's project for his week off.

I found new drawer handles at Target that should complement the new appliances, total cost was $70. That's much less than what I figured from Lowes.

Speaking of Lowes, I used my movers coupon and saved an additional 10% off the appliances, in addition to the 10% discount they were offering on Whirlpool and Kitchenaid. And, I qualified for rebates on the installation and delivery fees! Total savings of $500-600 based on my rough math!
 
You might also want to check if any of those appliances were energy star...there might be tax money too.
 
You might also want to check if any of those appliances were energy star...there might be tax money too.

I just checked a few sites and I can't see that kitchen appliances qualify, am I looking in the wrong places? I checked irs.gov and enerystar.com.
 
SS appliances and I hate the fingerprints and the fact I can't hang my magnets with my kids school/art work on them. .

My DH will buy them for me just based on the fact I can't put magnets with anything on the refrigerator. I didn't know that. Woo Hoo. Green Tea can pull that out of her bag of tricky knowledge and get a new kitchen anytime she wants. THANKS!
 

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