How big an effect does interior condition/decor have on house values?

Mr.Generous

I earn a living renovating property, if a house just needs the decor modernising I can honestly say there would not be enough profit to make it a worthwhile project. If on the other hand the dated interior includes (for example) poor electrics, some damp, hideous kitchen and bathroom, guttering issues, garden unkempt, plaster work poor, doors missing / hanging off etc then you can do the work and sell if for a reasonable return. I guess they are worth about £10k more nicely decorated but only if it fits someone's preferences and they don't pick up on any issues other than the decor. It does happen, but you would have to wait for a particular type of buyer known as the "stupid gullible type".

If the interior on the done nicely home includes the heating, electrics, kitchen and bathroom, gardens etc then I can say from experience we have sold sub £100k properties for £30k more than we paid following renovation.

[Deleted User]

When we were looking for a house, I really wanted one that we could just move straight into as I hate DIY, decorating, etc. However, all the ones we saw that were "done" i didn't like, plus they were £5K-£10K more expensive, so I knew that we would be paying a premium just to rip out someone-else's brand new (horrible) kitchen.

If you're asking this as a prelude to selling, I'd go with the: declutter, give everything a fresh, neutral paint job, tidy the garden, and then clean like the Queen is coming! The most basic things that a buyer wants are space, light, airiness, cleanliness, and a general sense that the house has been well taken care of.

Doing anything more than that risks losing money on. Just my opinion ...