Looking to sell next year - get work done or leave it?

MyRealNameToo

Most cases you won't get back what you put in, people typically underestimate the cost of work. If you have connections to the trades and so can get mates rates etc then it's a different story.

One thing it can do however is increase the speed of sale and certainly some would rather make slightly less profit but be on the road to completion in a couple of months than active a 2% more net money but it take a year to sell.

sammyjammy

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82048418#Comment_82048418

Not too worried about speed of sale, houses on our street get snapped up if priced right. My plan would be to price it around 235k but intending to accept an offer of as low as 220k so they feel like they have a bargain, which they will have. No mates in the trade, single female who has lived here since 1999, in those days stress wasn't a thing for me, with house buying anyway but now I need to make it as stress free as possible. I have a house full of what would be clutter to others so the plan is stick a load of stuff in storage for a few months so that it actually looks like a family could live in it 🤣

RelievedSheff

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82048496#Comment_82048496

Declutter to the point of the house looking bare. People can not see through clutter!

sammyjammy

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82048548#Comment_82048548

Thats the plan, I'll be renting a storage unit 🤣, I'll need until spring to do it so have started already.

woogeroo

I'm kind of in the same boat; 120 year old terraced house that we intend to sell in the next 6 months. It was originally a probate property, so it's had a fully rewire, extensive re-plastering and re-flooring in the last 6 years. It could still do with some more decoration and tbh a new kitchen and bathroom.

What we're definitely doing before selling is getting a new front door and getting some long overdue work done to fix our front garden wall, hopefully at least making the house not look such a wreck from the cover photo on Rightmove. It'll still be a bit of a work in progress, but hopefully the price will make it attractive compared to the neighbours.

Tabieth

I bought my house last year. It is a 2-up, 2-down, mid terrace which had been a neglected rental property. The owners did the important and structural stuff which would have scared me off (new roof, fixed the damp issues, new front & back doors and double glazed windows). The rest they left which suited me as I picked my own kitchen, bathroom and kitchen, flooring and paint. I don’t think I’m that unusual in this regard. I didn’t want to do a major renovation, I was more than happy get it re plastered and pick exactly how I want my house to look.

I’d leave the personal preference stuff for the new owner to do, they might not like your choices and so anything you do may not be a plus for selling. I’d focus on the damp as that is likely to either put people off entirely and they’ll want a reduction in price.

Flo87

Just let it how is, as the potential buyers will see directly the state and not get a surprise when they the Survey, especially for damp where majority of the people use that probe that's design for wood.

When I`ve bought my 140 years old 2 up/2 down terrace I choose to view only the ones that didn`t had a "refurb" for sale.

sherlock228

there is only one way to answer these sort of questions

would you as a buyer, buy the property if the work was not done?
yes? Then consider if that means your market is limited only to those looking for a "do'er upper"
no? Then do the work or you won't get a wide range of buyers

sammyjammy

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82048720#Comment_82048720

Thanks, in my current situation not sure thats a useful comparison. I purchased the house when it hadn't been touched for decades, original roof, replacement 70s windows, no heating etc. I want a bigger garden, thats why I am moving. I never want to have to do any work in a house other than planned maintenance ever again if can help it.

theartfullodger

Ask agents round to see value and any advice.

I've sold 3.5 houses over past few years. In all cases agents said do nothing except tidy.

Including my late brother's house, hardly touched since he bought in 1971