We would like to move house but...

ognum

I think your best bet would be to put it on the market now with a figure that would work for you. If it sells then fine, it is doesn't then you know what you have to do.

moneyistooshorttomention

I'll second the "ask the estate agent" re whether its worth spending any money on the house. I asked a couple for their verdict before putting mine on the market and got told to deal with a couple of minor maintenance issues and not to bother about changing the kitchen (though it obviously needs replacing again - with me having done it when I first bought the house). I was told "No point in you replacing the kitchen - they'll probably just rip it straight out and replace it with one to their own taste anyway".

Though I do have the "location, location, location" factor applying - ie second most wanted terrace house area in my locality. I might have bothered myself more if I was in the "not wanted by anyone if they can help it" area we have here.

Personally, I haven't bothered myself about the energy report on the house - as most other terraces have the same energy rating as mine. I just wish I'd known that I could get one vital point extra to take mine from D to C rating if I'd just swopped the standard light bulbs to energy efficient ones just for the hour that the guy was here doing that rating...

I also don't bother with what the rating is on houses I am looking at myself - as I'm already mentally swopping any windows that haven't been done yet, swopping any old boiler, etc and the house will be okay once I've finished getting it sorted out anyway.

martinsurrey

Make it look as liveable as possible without spending much money on it.

Clean paint job, if the carpets are salvageable, get them cleaned, paint the kitchen cupboards, a new worktop and clean everything to within an inch of its life.

All can be done for under £1k and viewers will HOPEFULLY realise that while a lot of work is needed, they can live through it.

If I was you I wouldn’t do the work yourself, people are looking for a bargain (imo) so you wont see a return on the spend.

katies_mum

Thank you all for taking the time to reply, some great advice for us to think about.