Ready to sell house but can't mend the crack yet

docmatt

Our house is now ready to sell, however there is a big crack in our ceiling where a tile fell through the loft and onto the ceiling. (Had new roof so it's just the ceiling that needs doing)

However we now have a 3 week old baby and my wife has asthma so we can't get a plasterer in for a while. Wifey doesn't want anything doing yet, no buts!

We do need the house selling pretty soon though.

Will it put punters off if they see the big crack? If we explain what happened with the tile and that we promise to get it done before the new owners took the keys then would that be ok?

Or get the crack sorted first? (Just means waiting a while )

DVardysShadow

If you are going to sort it, then sort it, otherwise leave the buyer to sort it.

Although your reasons are sound enough for postponing the job indefinitely if you did not intend to sell, to be perfectly blunt, any potential buyer will rightly think they are pathetic excuses coming form someone who intends to sell. It shows you up as less than committed to your property which raises other questions over what people are buying . And a promise to fix it before sale also raises further uncertainty over whether you will carry out the work.

So in order of preference

1. Fix it then sell
2. Don't fix it and don't promise to fix it either [sold as seen]
3. Promise viewers you will fix it if they make an acceptable offer

sismith42

I understand not having the time and energy to deal with a small baby AND a plasterer, but how would taking care of things "later" be better with your wife's asthma? Isn't that a condition that she just has to live with, so whether it's done sooner or later it won't matter?

LillythePink

Whilst in one way it wouldn't put me off - I can see past a cosmetic issue, it does sort of shout out - what else can't they be bothered to fix or what else is wrong with it.

It is probably something that a surveyor would pick up on.

Have you had any quotes done on how much it would be to put right?

I take it that your wife doesn't really want to sell the house? What exactly is the reason why she doesn't want the work done?

poppysarah

Asthma will be aggravated by the extra dust from crack in ceiling

PasturesNew

How long'd it take? Take her away for a relaxing weekend or short break or week.

hethmar

Majority of buyers dont have a huge amount of imagination or skills, it will put most off. Get it done. Wont take long and will help sell quickly. Cant wife stay with family elsewhere for a couple of days?

Orpheo

PasturesNew wrote: »

Take her away for a relaxing weekend or short break or week.

Luuuurve.

Leon_W

But plastering doesn't cause dust.

The only time plaster dust would be airborne is when it's being mixed, and that can be done outside.

evoke

Jeez.

Get it sorted and then put the house on the market. A big crack on the ceiling WILL put many buyers off as they may wonder what other problems there are with the house.

I had my property re-decorated prior to putting it on the market. It cost me around £1K to get it done up with new paint and all cracks and holes filled in. It was £1K well spent as it meant a hassle-free sale eventually with no arguing over the condition of the property.

tyllwyd

Leon_W wrote: »

But plastering doesn't cause dust.

The only time plaster dust would be airborne is when it's being mixed, and that can be done outside.

We had our house replastered and the problem wasn't dust so much, but the amount of moisture that is in the air as it dries - I can easily imagine that it would be a problem for someone with asthma.

It's not ideal trying to sell a house when you've got a newborn baby - apart from whether your wife can cope with the stress of trying to tidy up etc on top of looking after the baby, as a viewer I always feel awkward if I think I might be disturbing the baby. If it was me, I'd try to wait a month at least, but why do you say that you need the house selling soon? Is there something else to take into account?