Does re-decorating help sell a property?

Bun

Agree with other posters here, my only contribution is to be very careful with tile paint. It will probably be easier to paint the units to be honest. I've had several attempts with the stuff and the white didn't hold up to close inspection, and it would put me off to be honest. The odd tile in a contrasting colour is easier to do.

Polycell are advertising some stuff to smooth over walls and go over textured paper, so this may be better than 3 coats of paint?

real1314

Photo 2: Remove the sideboard, coffee table and pictures. Curtains look patterned? If so, change them.

Photo 3: Remove the wall unit, side table, picture and ornaments and the extra armchair. Think about swapping over the lounge/dining arrangement so the fireplace is part of the lounge. Maybe put the table/chairs into storage?

Photo 4: Remove the blind, change/paint the doors to white/cream

Photo 5: Remove the pics, change the duvet cover.

Photo 6: Change the loo seat and mirror.

You might just get away without decorating if you de-clutter as per the above, but from what you've said you would need to pay for storage, but if that gets you an extra £1k on the price, it's money well spent. A lot of the furniture is distinctive, and does not have wide appeal. I think this will put a lot of people off, as they can't see past the overall "look".

pink123_2

thanks alot everyone for your posts. I am at her flat now and we are going to re-decorate next weekend!!! Bring on Mr Dominoes Pizza man:beer:

Doozergirl

Look, I'm really sorry to say that your sister is well overpriced as far as I can see. Apart from viewers wanting to spend money updating the decor which really is the opposite of what most people would expect in a new build, there are absolutely brand spanking new apartments available in the same price range. Second hand apartments have very little sparkle, people aren't prepared to pay as much for them as they are a brand new build and you have to present it immaculately to compete with show apartments etc.

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/viewdetails-7108260.rsp?pa_n=1&tr_t=buy

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/viewdetails-13100849.rsp?pa_n=1&tr_t=buy

This is a house!
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/viewdetails-7049091.rsp?pa_n=1&tr_t=buy

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/viewdetails-13311694.rsp?pa_n=1&tr_t=buy

jonboy13

Hiya..we're currently on the market with HouseNetwork (thanks to advice on here) and we debated over redecorating and particularly changing the carpets (as you can see on the link!!) It's been a real challenge as we had partially redecorated and then I got a promotion so we got to this stage where it was paint/not paint? recarpet? in order to make it more desirable. Funny thing is I actually love the new 'calmer' colours (lime green/orange and bright yellow previously...eek !!)and we took the EA advice and left the carpets and guess what - no one has been bothered by them. I did repaint kitchen and cleaned up bathroom (the kitchen was replacement doors from B+Q so not overly expensive and new worktops) but so far the feedback has been really positive and we had an offer today from our first couple who viewed. Our experience is that whatever you do could be the right or wrong thing but stick to a budget (time and money) and wait for the one person that it takes to buy your place. Good luck in your sale - hope it works out for you ( and I LOVE Veggieroma pizza - but it needs beer - lots of it!)

here's link - I was mortified when I first saw the piccies but far more chilled now http://www.rightmove.co.uk/viewdetails-7296963.rsp?pa_n=1&tr_t=buy

cat80_2

It may be worth having a look round some other apartments that are of a similar price in the area to see what you are up against. It looks like a nice development, what are the main type of viewers that the estate agents are sending round. If its lots of young couples, try to aim the decor to a more modern style. Its a difficult situation, I had problems selling my house, its definatly worth the effort to decorate though. Good luck.

Doozergirl

jonboy13 wrote: »

Hiya..we're currently on the market with HouseNetwork (thanks to advice on here)

It's quite weird, I'm using HN too and have had an offer from the first person that viewed. The offer is only £2k off asking so I'm happy, but I'm just trying to eek abit more if I can

Your house looks great; it is what people look for because they can just plonk their furniture down, live very easily with what is there and then think about whether they want to paint a different colour etc over time, if at all!

It's a bit complicated at first, but I've got it now that rightmove only shows the pictures I want it to (6 - I had 36 to start with :eek:). In the list of pictures in the admin area of hosenetwork, you have to tick the box that says something like 'exclude from uploads and slideshows', then it doesn't show on rightmove. It's only becuse some of the angles aren't great, but then, there are plenty of other good to make up for it!

pink123_2

Thanks for your comments Doozegirl. However I must add that all the flats that you have added links for are actually located in a completely different area (other side of So'ton). This area is very close to the red light district streets of the city so thats why they are slightly cheaper but still very expensive for where they are located. The house you have provided a link for is again in an area which is very 'rough' (not saying where my sister lives is crime free though!) (i hate using these kinds of words but don't know how else to describe them). My sister postal code is SO15 which for some reason soooo much more expensive to live. Don't know why!!!

pink123_2

and I LOVE Veggieroma pizza - but it needs beer - lots of it!

Totally agree! But can you imagine me and my sister painting after we have had a few:rotfl: We are total lightweights! We'll end up painting everything but the walls!!

dankes

But I have been to see over 100 properties in the past three weeks to rent and to buy and the thing you need to do is to clear out all your personal stuff and clutter.

I know they used to say this on house doctor, but it's not the decor so much as people thinking their stuff won't fit into the place and that there's no storage if it's cluttered and that it'll take a lot to make it home.

The wallpaper is a bit much, but I do know that my flat, which is in bad need for updating was valued by three different estate agents at various prices but I've had offers about £30,000 over what I was initially expecting.

What helps is that I'm not living there right now, but I have staged it as though I am so there are plates in cupboards and seating out and stuff, but everything else I gave away or took to the charity shop or stored at friends' houses. It's worth it because although people think they have a lot to do to my place, it looks like it can be lived in while they do it. It's the same with the places I've looked at.

Some are filthy and overcrowded - not that your sister's place is either of these things - but it does put people off. So, if you haven't already started decorating try putting neutral-coloured bedlinen on the beds, rugs and stuff. Here's my flat, for an idea of what I did. Not an expert, like I say, but it helped especially as the people who were renting it beforehand had wrecked it.

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/viewdetails-7171668.rsp?pa_n=1&tr_t=buy

Good luck with it.

D x