cas wrote:

I am about accept a transfer at work and we're going to have to sell
our home. No biggie, I was ready to move anyway.

We live in an area with a fairly hot market, 2 homes near me moved in 3
days. My house is in ok condition, it's not a showpiece. Old, solid,
etc. Anyway, here are my questions. No flames, this is more of an
informal survey.

1) The attic was painted purple by the previous owners. I've cleaned
most of it out (it's about 800sq ft). Should I paint it - or at least
prime it - a less obnoxious color? I could finish it in 4 or 5 hours.
When we first looked at the house I thought "jeez, that is ugly".

I like purple, but would change that to reduce the "ugh" factor.

2) Kitchen. It's old, the cabinets are sorta cheap and while they look
ok they aren't great. The SO wants to replace them, I'm really not up

I would never do that to sell a house, as it is an expense for esthetics
not likely to be recovered on selling.

for a kitchen redo if I have to be out of here in 3 months. I was
thinking of just cleaning them as best as I can, repainting the
kitchen, etc. The kitchen is semi bright, it's well light.

Clean. Reduce clutter. Paint if you love painting or the old paint is
damaged.

3) Wallpaper. Gawd I hate this mess (esp when it's old as dirt). I'm
now redoing the bathrooms. One of the bathrooms has a wall of wallpaper
that isn't responding to any of the removers. Would it be tacky to just

Vinyl? What have you used? If the surface won't peel off, use coarse
sandpaper to score it horizontally. Spray with warm water, let it soak
in, spray again, soak again, and start peeling/scraping GENTLY.
Wallpaper paste will not soften unless moisture reaches it - that is the
secret.

paint over it? It's smooth and there are no seams that are peeling,
it's just - ugly.

Unless it is horrible, leave it alone. The new wallpaper may rate as
"just as ugly".

That's it, thanks.

I would make sure that systems are secure, like no leaks or holes. When
I last sold a house, it needed paint in the kitchen - faded and worn
paint around wall switches, a small stain here and there. Needed
reroof. Home was 10 years old, solid and well built. Those qualities
are essential and usually very obvious. Realtor said not to worry about
cleaning carpet or painting or reroof, and we got a good price. Some
folks will be shopping for a house which requires nothing immediate, and
some will be shopping for a home that is the right size, style, location
and amenities even if it needs new wallpaper.