What sells a property?

jangor_2

Thanks to all the help I received with tenants, they have now signed a form to relinquish their tenancy and have moved out. I am now left with an empty house which I would like to sell. However the kitchen and bathroom are in rather a poor state and it has been suggested that I have these refurbished before putting the house on the market. Is this likely to make the house more appealing and ultimately more saleable?

Any hints or tips much appreciated.

LilacPixie

not a clue on the official answer but if i was looking around a place and the kitchen/bathroom needed doing IE really needing doing not just because it wasn't to my taste I wyould be reflecting that in my offer if i offer at all.

For me kitchen/bathroom refurbs mean noise mess and expense and are very offputting

DVardysShadow

LilacPixie wrote: »

...
For me kitchen/bathroom refurbs mean noise mess and expense and are very offputting

On the other hand priced accordingly, this represents an opportunity for someone to buy a house a bit cheaper, with a mortgage, rather than not at all. Or an opportunity to have their own choice of kitchen and bathroom.

poppy_f1

DVardysShadow wrote: »

On the other hand priced accordingly, this represents an opportunity for someone to buy a house a bit cheaper, with a mortgage, rather than not at all. Or an opportunity to have their own choice of kitchen and bathroom.

yeah i'd rather pay less for a house and do the kitchen and bathroom to my tastes rather than paying more out prob changing them anyway

Fire_Fox

The big questions are what type of property is it? And who is your target market? Who suggested you redo the kitchen and bathroom? And how bad are they? In general tho ...

Plain white modern-style bathroom suite, sleek chrome taps (trawl eBay), half height white tiles, shower above bath with plain glass door if possible, plain chrome accessories, built-in slimline storage in neutral finish (white gloss/ mirror/ light oak try IKEA), neutral flooring, add the colour with paint above tiles and towels so the buyer can change it.

Kitchens are more difficult as they are more personal and there are more choices out there, so ideally tart up what is in place - can you add new worktops, paint or scrub the doors clean, change the handles, whiten the tile grout, repaint the walls, improve the lighting? Not all of the above, just whatever are the worst areas: then the buyer thinks they can live with the kitchen as is, and replace to their own taste at leisure.

If the kitchen is truly dire, try Wickes or IKEA or even Freecycle or eBay for a cut-price or second hand kitchen. Look at what developers of modern flats and houses do to the show homes/ show flat. They do spend more on certain areas - the wow factor. Kitchens tend to have quite basic plain units, plenty of pale/ neutral colours, glossy surfaces which reflect light, sparkly halogen lighting, more expensive worktops and flashy looking or built-in appliances. Try to avoid colour in anything bar paint and accessories - stick to white or cream, black or brown (in moderation), the more modern wood finishes.

property.advert

If you put in a kitchen and bathroom with decent finishing that people can live with then you will not go wrong. Should be in keeping with the property, such that you do not put a £500 bathroom into a £400,000 house.

If the kitchen and bathroom needed refurbishing, I would wonder what else was in need of repair. I don't think you can go wrong in fixing things up as long as you keep costs under control but don't attempt jobs you cannot do, such as putting in mastic, which looks very poor if not done properly.

Think about how you would view it ?

jangor_2

Thankyou, all responses are very interesting and helpful. It is a very basic three bedroom semi in a semi rural area. The bathroom and kitchen were in place when I purchased the property two years ago. The bathroom was probably last refurbished about 30 years ago and the kitchen perhaps 10/12 years ago. Unfortunately both areas have not been cared for and look distinctly the worse for wear! I called a builder in because there is an ancient leanto to the rear of the kitchen and I had been considering replacing same but in his view this should be removed and the area made good and again, in his view, it would be best to revamp the kitchen and bathroom. As to which market the house would be aimed at, this is a difficult one, similar houses being occupied by families, couples and single ownership.

DVardysShadow

jangor wrote: »

As to which market the house would be aimed at, this is a difficult one, similar houses being occupied by families, couples and single ownership.

Then perhaps not much point in targetting it to a particular market, if your efforts only target it away from another market. It's a gamble, but you need to look at cost of doing the job vs likely increase in selling price.

Fire_Fox

jangor wrote: »

Thankyou, all responses are very interesting and helpful. It is a very basic three bedroom semi in a semi rural area. The bathroom and kitchen were in place when I purchased the property two years ago. The bathroom was probably last refurbished about 30 years ago and the kitchen perhaps 10/12 years ago. Unfortunately both areas have not been cared for and look distinctly the worse for wear! I called a builder in because there is an ancient leanto to the rear of the kitchen and I had been considering replacing same but in his view this should be removed and the area made good and again, in his view, it would be best to revamp the kitchen and bathroom. As to which market the house would be aimed at, this is a difficult one, similar houses being occupied by families, couples and single ownership.

What kind of house? Obviously not new build - Victorian/ sixties? Can you post up photos of the front of the house and offending rooms? There are not too many singletons buying three bedroom houses, so more likely couples/ small families I would have thought - good schools nearby? I would have an estate agent give a brutally honest appraisal including target market.

Thirty year old bathroom sounds bad: I would definitely do that is the suite even white?? Ten year old kitchen might be salvageable, but not if it is falling to bits? Are you a bloke, if so is there a female on the scene at all? Women choose which house to buy and a three bedroom is a potential nest ...

jangor_2

Built in the 60's. I guess it would be for young families or a couple as it is not a very large house. Afraid I haven't got any photos at the moment but will try and take a few. The bathroom suite is actually white but fairly ancient. The kitchen has been rather battered and I'm not sure much can be done to salvage it. Unfortunately when I moved in, despite a survey, the property had many issues, the main one being that the lights failed to work and the first job that had to be completed was a complete rewiring, followed by new guttering and fascia boards, then upgrading the centralf heating etc.

Fire_Fox

That's good as these are all selling points for a house! Re-wire and central heating are not glamorous but they are necessary evils. So maybe what is left is largely cosmetic? Get some photos up and let Doozergirl and the rest do their worst!