What do FTBs want?

Brallaqueen

I was a FTB earlier this year and decor didn't worry me too much, as long as everything was basically ok and functional (no mould or broken off bits). I ended up with a flat that has blue office carpet and a very dated champagne bathroom suite! But it was in the biggest flat in the best area I could afford, and I will hopefully be able to improve it as I go along.

dizziblonde

Yeah basically all we want is somewhere liveable that we can do as time/money permits. Somewhere where the "grot" is purely cosmetic basically.

snowlady07

Great, thanks for all your useful replies. The bathroom is not too bad, the suite is pale grey and the tiles are a bit dated, but it's freshly painted and spotlessly clean. The rest of my house, especially the kitchen, is really nice so the bathroom does stand out a little.

I think I'll get it on the market now and see how it goes, if it's not selling and feedback is all about the bathroom I can get it updated then.

poppy_f1

when i was looking i didnt want anything that needed too much work as i didnt really want to eat into my deposit
in the end the house i bought all i have really had to do was lay laminate flooring and paint which in all honestly i didnt really need to do if i didnt want to

i looked at a repo and it would have needed about 20k at least worth of work done to it as it had been completely trashed but the asking price wasnt reflective of the work needing done

beccad

I think as long as a the bathroom has been kept clean, is well aired so it's not all mouldy etc. then I wouldn't bother replacing it.

Chinkle

You can't lump FTB's into one basket - or assume they would be the only ones interested in your property. Likewise, there are people who want something finished to move straight in and those who want to put their own mark on the property (which could mean anything from a quick lick of paint to ripping out everything and starting again).

Generally speaking, if the rest of your house is recently renovated/decorated I would finish the job with the bathroom too. I think there are less people around who say "We want an immaculate house, but with a bathroom that needs work'. Especially if you have high-end look/fittings elsewhere viewers are going to be disappointed by an old bathroom, however clean. Use your judgement and to ensure it matches up with the rest off the house.

Chris2685

First thing I look for as a potential FTB is gas heating and double glazing. Might sound silly, but the amount of places that don't have that is quite high, despite them looking modern.

My wife always looks at the kitchen, if the kitchen looks nice she is usually quite impressed. Most of the other rooms don't matter so much, as they're just rooms. I do like the look of a good bathroom, but really as long as it is clean and you can do the 3 S's in it, I am quite happy.