My biggest challenge-selling my flat the DFW way!

Toto

It can be done Lyn. Think positive!

Ok, you need to utilise what you already have I think. Also, ask yourself how necessary some items are. I did this, to be honest I could have housedoctored for england. There were so many things I wanted to do or put in the house. But, I had to look at it as a business... so I questioned everything. Like, will the fact I have no bedside tables be a deal breaker? Will someone not buy my house because these is nothing but a bed in my second bedroom? I made lists of musts, like the doors (I hate doors so I took all the downstairs ones off when I moved in).

Also, ask family what paint they have laying around in sheds etc. I was amazed how much I had when I thougt I had none. Borrow things to dress the house. The OH and I are currently sleeping on a matress on the floor in the new house because our lovely bed is in the other house (and we broke the bedframe here). I know that doesn't apply to you because you're still living there.

I honestly think, painting de-cluttering and cleaning are musts. Other then that you do what you can afford. So I would set a budget for decoration only. Work out fees, but subtract that right away. So if your fees will be £800 you know your bottom line is £400 for decorating etc. Do scan car boots, lino and stuff is dead cheap in one local to me. Don't forget ebay either, you might pick up some lino tiles from there which are even easier to lay.

If you need a hand give me a shout, if my house sells before yours goes on the market you are welcome to borrow anything from it to dress yours.

xx

lynzpower

thank you toto You never know I might try to scrounge a pair of curtains off you

I have done what you suggest so far.

Here it is
BUDGET 1200
EA selling costs 467.65 ( quote from housenetwork online)
Conveyancing costs 650 approx including vat = leave 82.35 which Ive almost spent already.

We have bought kitchen bins as previously the recycling is in a bin bag on the floor ( not a good look) and the normal kitchen bin was stinking as it was a metal one that rusted adn couldnt be cleaned - cost £14
bought one of those nice toothpaste, handwash, soap dish combos 2.50 from wilkos a saving from the 10er one from matalan I was going to buy
large tin dulux white gloss 14.99
wire wool 1.00
4x pillows for spare room 6.50
doormat 3.50
lino - budgeting 50 inc fitting but might be getting some gratis :beer:
rugs - again might be getting some gratis, but need them as it is VERY noisy without. beg, borrowing if I cant get them through my gratis contact.
curtains for lounge- may be borrowing a pair, have to measure up though. If not Ill get a pair from ikea that are the same as the pair Ive just ruined 8.50
coffee table - mum has one
bath mat- mum has one
bedside table- yes I think it is a deal breaker due to layout of room 24.00 but mum might pay for those with a bit of luck or I might get them for my birthday present which is coming up in any case
desk for PC- budgeting 45 as thats what I saw it for in ikea. I have no more than this.
new lightbulbs for lounge 6.99 with cash back
will try adn scrounge lamp from lounge from parents, Im sure they have one I can borrow/ scrounge.
Yes looking for the cheapest option for bath panel, dad can fit it.

Its tricky with them being so far away, but they have a housefull of very useful stuff ( mother is a bit compulsive with her spending and so when theycome down in the next few weeks, hopefully they will be able to bring everything we need, and negate us having to buy a drill !

lotto-dreamer

I work in the conveyancing department of a small firm (as a legal assistant, not a solicitor!) Because you are on such a tight budget I thought you might need to know that one of the extra costs you might face -over and above the solicitor's fees you are quoted - is your buyer's solicitors usually want the copies of the last three years accounts, service charges etc.

Managing agents often ask for a fee of between £100 - £200 + to provide all these documents and you could be asked for this on top of your solicitor's fees. I have been horrified to see what they can charge. Clients usually only discover this during the conveyancing process.

I'm not sure if you could try and get these docs yourself but it might save you some money if you can go directly to the managing agent and have them ready when they ask for them!

Good luck with your venture !

carolbee

think Tesco have offer on paint, don't know about brushes etc though, think its 25% off

tesuhoha

Did you try phoning the conveyancing firm Lynz? Think they may be cheaper.

Sven67

If you need any new carpet, try going to the large carpet shops and ask if they have any decent off-cuts. My friend did a room for free as he asked and was able to take it away there and then, if its not free then see what they want for it.

Keep it fresh and neutral, magnolia paint is much cheaper than anything else as is white. Exactly why builders continue to use it, especially on new builds.

lynzpower

I just thought Id update this, as Ive completely forgotten about this, and Id like to have a running commentary for myself

Ok, we are almost there in getting the flat sorted.

So far we have begged and borrowed SO much stuff its unbelievable. Ive also enlisted the help of my parents for a weekend which was amazing

A very generous benefactor has donated 2 rugs & some lino, so that REALLY helped to kickstart the whole programme.

GARDEN
Painted rest of fence with cheap fence paint from wilkos (3.99)
dug up ropy turf area & put bark down ( 3 bags for a tenner, looks well good B&Q, parents paid)
PLanted loads of plants ( all in reduced section of B&Q spent tenner)
Rearranged
Cover BBQ with donated BBQ cover (
mowed & tidied.

GArden spend £23

LOUNGE
Painted skirting & doors with old white gloss from before ( FREE)
Rug ( donated)
New tablecloth ( free on tescos R&R :money:)
Painted walls with trade mag matt 18 for ten litres
new coffee table is actually an old one I bought off ebay, parents collected, Id forgotten about (FREE!, technically... )
sealant 3.50
sealant gun 4.00
New lamp ( Scrounged from parents, sisters old room, didnt want it FREE )
curtains ( B&Q, 22.50)
curtain hooks 1.28

TOTAL SPEND ON LOUNGE 49.28

Bedroom 2
bought duvet & pillows for spare bed (8.00 all in )
PC table 11.00 ikea
Chair, my old one from parents (FREE!)
roman blind ( washed instead of buying new, with OS tips, free!)
duvet cover & bits & pieces, all had anyway.
Painted with same mag paint & gloss as above FREE
TOTAL SPEND 19.00
But sold chest of drawers for 51 to make room look bigger So more profit

Master berdroom
Duvet ( free from grandma who got it free with her new bed)
Duvet cover 5.00 primark sale
bedside tables 11.00 each so 22.00
rug- free :beer:
pictures 4.00
More mag paint & gloss 25.00, completely repainted all of it
OUR ROOM 56.00

Kitchen
tray 2.00 ( instore)
2x kitchen bin (14.00 instore)
roller blind (4.60 B&Q reduced section, busted box
white paint (6.99 wilkos special offers)
drill bit (4.20 ) drill borrowed from you guessed it my parents
completely painted all of it
31.79 kitchen total

BAthroom
White paint ( brought by parents from their shed ) dad painted it all, and bleached the grout looks sparkling!
cleaned shower screen by being super creative, instead of as, someone suggested, just buying a new one :rotfl:
sealant 3.50
loo roll holder 4.00 ikea
bathmat ( parents had a spare -FREE)
toilet roll store 2.00 instore
loo brush 2.00 instore
bathroom total 11.50!

hall
mag paint 18.00 -repainted all of it
rest of gloss from above 0.00 almost finished this bit - phew-
bookcase 15.00 ikea

HALL SPEND 33

I have however spent a crazy amount of money on brushes, white spirit & stardrops! But generally, this is what has been spent so far.

Some of these things were bought by my parents, and my mother being a compulsive shopper :rolleyes: means that we have managed to scavenge so much towards making this place look ship-shape, its untrue.

I have scavved
Lamp
candles
photo frame
notice board
thick duvet
half tins of paint
rawl plugs
bag of random screws
handwash/tothbrush pot combo
paintbrushes
2 xpictures
boxes for storage
bin

So there we have it.

Watch this space for when I get it on the market, i hope it will be as moneysaving as weve been so far!

Lynz x

loulouloulou_2

Hiya Lynz

What a nightmare selling is.... i've bought my first place (been there two years) and that was a nightmare - cant imagine to sell it!!

Good luck with everything - seems like your doing really well!!!!:D

Verbatim

Well done Lynz. Sounds like you're there!

What's next , do you get three Estate agents round to value like in the property makeover shows? Hope you make a bundle.