Worth replacing bathroom before selling flat?

Empor

My bathroom's probably around 30 years old. Cracked sink, stained bath, tatty tiling. Needs replacing.

I'm thinking of moving soon though. Is it worth replacing the bathroom before I sell? i.e. would any increase in sales value justify the cost? Flat is one bed, worth maybe 120k.

D.W.27

It really depends on how bad it is I guess. If it really looks shoddy, fixing it up will definitely help sell the property, but you have to balance that with the time, effort, and expense it'll take to do the work.

TBagpuss

I'd get an estimate for fixing it, and then get a couple f agents round and ask them, both what (if any) value it will add in terms of a realistic sale price.

It depends a little bit how easy it is likely to be to sell - if properties move slowly in your area then it may be worth doing it for your own benefit, and to make it more attractive to buyers.

When I sold my last house (2 bed mid terrace, similar value to your flat) I had exactly the same dilemma. In my case, the cost was broadly the same as the likely increase in price, and the agents advice was that it would potentially sell faster, but not changing it wouldn't make it unsaleable.

The other thing is your likely buyer - a first time buyer may prefer to pay a bit less for the house and do it up in their own time, if that means they can afford to buy a bit sooner. A buy to let landlord may prefer to fdo it themselves as they'll be updating the whole property

System

If I was decided over two properties - yours or another of a similar size and price but with a better bathroom - I would go for the other one.

Are there any other 1 bed flats in the block, complex or in the area for sale or sold recently with newish bathrooms? The prices of these will decide if you want to do the bathroom.

trailingspouse

If you couldn't be bothered to do it while you were living there, I wouldn't bother doing it before you move out. Make sure it's as clean as possible, 'dress' with matching towels (and splash out on soaps etc that match the towels), and hope for the best.

Personally I would rather buy somewhere with a bathroom/kitchen that needs replacing than buy one that's been 'done up' but I just don't like it.

brit1234

It depends what part of the country you are in. If you are in the Midlands and North where prices are still rising then yes it is worth the investment if done proportionally. However if you are in the falling parts of London stagnating South East no. Falling markets you never seem to make the costs spent.

Simply rising market yes, falling no.