Should I replace carpet before putting up for sale?

Rich1234a

Hi,

I am planning to sell my house.  It’s the first time I’ve ever sold a house.  I’ve done the whole house up, with new kitchen / bathroom, driveway etc.  the only part of the house I haven’t got around to, is changing the hall, stairs and landing carpet.   The carpet is ripped at the top of the stairs where I put in a new stud wall.  Essentially it’s the only tatty part of the house and I’m wondering if I would be better paying to have the carpet replaced I.e. will I get more for the house if it is replaced or should I not bother?

thanks in advance, Rich

MFWannabe

Personally I wouldn’t bother as it may not be to new buyers taste anyway and probably get ripped up 

YoungBlueEyes

Depends how tatty. If it’d stand a good clean I’d do that. Or rip it up if you’ve nice floorboards. I didn’t put down new carpet when I sold cos it might not have been to my buyer’s taste. 

However if everything else is brand new it might stand out more, so in your case I think I would. 

DullGreyGuy

People are buying the house not the carpet and you are unlikely to recover anywhere near its value if you were to replace it. I'd personally only really consider replacing it in the most extreme circumstances... a house a relative rented had crazy almost psychedelic carpets from the 70s which made some people dizzy; those Id remove before selling. 

If you want a quick sale rather than best return then having it in good condition and fully livable may help you as some buyers want something they can live with for X months/years before investing in upgrades. 

diystarter7

Hi
I'm assuming the rest of your house is in good conditon and parer/paint unmarked or sites you mentioned - if so replace but not the underlay but a colour that attracts most ie neutral colour and just factor in the price when you sell

Sadly, many people cant see beyond their nose and therefore it may be a selling point.

Btw, what price is the house advertised at - i ask this if it only 40/50k, not worth it but anyhting over 250, then do it

Thanks

diystarter7

Btw  - you could try a few viewings without and see what offers are made and or see what the EA says -  thanks again

ReadingTim

If everything else is new/redecorated then this will stick out like a sore thumb and possibly turn buyers off, so I'd replace it.  I don't think it will add any value though.  

SensibleSarah

I think it'll make the house more attractive to buyers if you replace it, although won't add to the value, as others have mentioned. 

My house needs full redecoration and I'm in two minds as to whether to bother paying for the work to be done or just to sell it with the work still needed. The cost of doing the work would be about the same as the difference in value - but the hassle of doing the work while living there - not sure I'm up for that. If it was just one or two small things though - definitely do the work. 

Postik

My stairs and landing carpet was old and worn.  It was more noticable in some lighting than others.  Whilst the house had been well mainted and looked after it could have done with re-painting in places too.  I painted the stairs and landing as that was the worst part, but I didn't do anything else and didn't change the carpet.  After de-cluttering and tidying up people thought the house was immaculate.  I'm glad I didn't shell out a couple of hundred quid on a new carpet just to move out.

serpico100

I personally wouldn’t bother but if you feel the need to change the carpet I would suggest you get the cheapest one that you can get.  Trust me when I tell that a tatty carpet is NOT going to lose you a sale, especially as there is a new kitchen, bathroom and driveway

youth_leader

I'd keep all of your money for your ongoing purchase.  I had a few maintenance emergencies before I sold my house and definitely could have done with that money when I moved in here and had to get all the floors replaced.