Just gutted a house we bought and about to start doing it up to sell and
can't decided whether to go for laminate flooring throughout or carpet in
the hallway and stair case and the upstairs rooms.

Downstairs is going to be laminate regardless. Renewing all woodwork
upstairs (doors, door frames, skirting etc) so want my mind made up before
that gets done as if I go for laminate I want it done right - fitted under
skirting etc.

It's a 3 bedroom detached modern style villa in Glasgow. Enter through the
front door and have the stairs to the top floor facing you with only a short
hallway. Upstairs is 3 beds and family bathroom.

Friends and family seem split on what they think buyers would prefer and I'm
in two minds so looking for opinions here.

If i was doing the place up to stay in it myself then I'd go for laminate
throughout with heating mats but that's pricey and I'm not sure it would
make sense to do since I'm selling it. At the same time I think laminate in
bedrooms without any kind of underfloor heating could put people off.

Opinions please

Cheers,

Neil.

On Fri, 09 Dec 2005 18:28:36 +0000, Neil wrote:

Just gutted a house we bought and about to start doing it up to sell and
can't decided whether to go for laminate flooring throughout or carpet in
the hallway and stair case and the upstairs rooms.

Downstairs is going to be laminate regardless. Renewing all woodwork
upstairs (doors, door frames, skirting etc) so want my mind made up before
that gets done as if I go for laminate I want it done right - fitted under
skirting etc.

It's a 3 bedroom detached modern style villa in Glasgow. Enter through the
front door and have the stairs to the top floor facing you with only a
short hallway. Upstairs is 3 beds and family bathroom.

Friends and family seem split on what they think buyers would prefer and
I'm in two minds so looking for opinions here.

If i was doing the place up to stay in it myself then I'd go for laminate
throughout with heating mats but that's pricey and I'm not sure it would
make sense to do since I'm selling it. At the same time I think laminate
in bedrooms without any kind of underfloor heating could put people off.

Opinions please

Cheers,

Neil.

If you have serviceable floorboards, sand and polish/varnish?

Even if you need to relay them to close the gaps, it's no more work than
laminate and little capital cost. Gives the future occupants the option of
nice wooden flooring or laying their own carpet.

Then you said "modern", so maybe you have chipboard panels...

Tim

Neil wrote:
Just gutted a house we bought and about to start doing it up to sell and
can't decided whether to go for laminate flooring throughout or carpet in
the hallway and stair case and the upstairs rooms.

Depends entirely on what your target buyers in your area prefer. If
you're not sure, If I were you I'd go and talk to estate agents. They
should know the answer, and will be pleased to offer advice especially
if there's a whiff of a future sales commission from you. You'll have
to weigh up the difference in cost, and decide if it's worthwhile.

BTW I'm sure the bathroom should be vinyl/laminate rather than carpet; I
think pretty well all buyers are off bathroom carpets these days for
hygiene reasons.

David

Lobster wrote:
Neil wrote:
Just gutted a house we bought and about to start doing it up to sell and
can't decided whether to go for laminate flooring throughout or carpet in
the hallway and stair case and the upstairs rooms.

Depends entirely on what your target buyers in your area prefer. If
you're not sure, If I were you I'd go and talk to estate agents. They
should know the answer, and will be pleased to offer advice especially
if there's a whiff of a future sales commission from you. You'll have
to weigh up the difference in cost, and decide if it's worthwhile.

BTW I'm sure the bathroom should be vinyl/laminate rather than carpet; I
think pretty well all buyers are off bathroom carpets these days for
hygiene reasons.

David

I'd go for tiles in the bathroom/toilet. Laminate is a def no no in
areas with water (eventhough on some of those DIY homes shows they
install it??)

To the OP, I'd go for a carpet upstairs. I'm not a fan of laminate
anyway but carpet will provide a warmth to the bedroom area.

"Tim S" wrote in message
news
Then you said "modern", so maybe you have chipboard panels...

It's floorboards but unfortunately in no way useable. Gouges, splits, holes,
etc.

Neil.

"Lobster" wrote in message
...

Depends entirely on what your target buyers in your area prefer. If
you're not sure, If I were you I'd go and talk to estate agents. They
should know the answer, and will be pleased to offer advice especially if
there's a whiff of a future sales commission from you.

Probably a good idea.


You'll have
to weigh up the difference in cost, and decide if it's worthwhile.

I reckon cost would be about the same for each for half decent carpet /
laminate. That would be without any under floor heating though with the
laminate.

BTW I'm sure the bathroom should be vinyl/laminate rather than carpet; I
think pretty well all buyers are off bathroom carpets these days for
hygiene reasons.

Yeah, actually plan on tiling the bathroom floor. Should have mentioned
that, sorry.

Cheers.

Neil.

Neil wrote:
Just gutted a house we bought and about to start doing it up to sell and
can't decided whether to go for laminate flooring throughout or carpet in
the hallway and stair case and the upstairs rooms.

People will probably want to put their own stuff in. Either just
clean the floors, or put on a cheap "vanilla" floor covering to
give an impression of what it'll look like "inhabited". More is
an utter waste of money.

wrote in message
oups.com...

I'd go for tiles in the bathroom/toilet.

That's the plan for the bathroom. Only option really that's hygenic.

To the OP, I'd go for a carpet upstairs. I'm not a fan of laminate
anyway but carpet will provide a warmth to the bedroom area.

That's what the wife reckons as well. Personally I like laminate and tiles.
If I had my way I'd have everything tiled but it's not really practical in
our climate. Leaning more towards carpet upstairs and on the stairs
themselves now...

Lobster wrote:
Depends entirely on what your target buyers in your area prefer. If
you're not sure, If I were you I'd go and talk to estate agents. They
should know the answer, and will be pleased to offer advice especially
if there's a whiff of a future sales commission from you. You'll have
to weigh up the difference in cost, and decide if it's worthwhile.

That's it - they are (or will be) working for you and know how to
sell. They will probably recommend something cheap and boring.

"Chris Bacon" wrote in message
...

People will probably want to put their own stuff in. Either just
clean the floors, or put on a cheap "vanilla" floor covering to
give an impression of what it'll look like "inhabited". More is
an utter waste of money.

Not sure I agree that it's an utter waste.

Although it's a 3 bed detached it's just about in the range that 1st timers
can afford. My impression nowadays is that most 1st timers can barely afford
the deposit and mortgage payments when they start off let alone have to
start worrying about finding the money to carpet / floor the place they just
got. Only talking about a grand(ish) for the flooring / carpet for upstairs
anyway.

Neil wrote:
Just gutted a house we bought and about to start doing it up to sell and
can't decided whether to go for laminate flooring throughout or carpet in
the hallway and stair case and the upstairs rooms.

Downstairs is going to be laminate regardless. Renewing all woodwork
upstairs (doors, door frames, skirting etc) so want my mind made up before
that gets done as if I go for laminate I want it done right - fitted under
skirting etc.

It's a 3 bedroom detached modern style villa in Glasgow. Enter through the
front door and have the stairs to the top floor facing you with only a short
hallway. Upstairs is 3 beds and family bathroom.

Friends and family seem split on what they think buyers would prefer and I'm
in two minds so looking for opinions here.

If i was doing the place up to stay in it myself then I'd go for laminate
throughout with heating mats but that's pricey and I'm not sure it would
make sense to do since I'm selling it. At the same time I think laminate in
bedrooms without any kind of underfloor heating could put people off.

Opinions please

Cheers,

Neil.


Personally I'd go with laminate throughout (except manybe the stairs for
safety). I'm not a fan of carpet, and think that laminate gives a
cleaner finish. I think you need to look to your target market, ans it
sounds like a modern family house and laminate would suit that perfectly.

Neil wrote:
"Chris Bacon" wrote...
People will probably want to put their own stuff in. Either just
clean the floors, or put on a cheap "vanilla" floor covering to
give an impression of what it'll look like "inhabited". More is
an utter waste of money.

Not sure I agree that it's an utter waste.

Although it's a 3 bed detached it's just about in the range that 1st timers
can afford. My impression nowadays is that most 1st timers can barely afford
the deposit and mortgage payments when they start off let alone have to
start worrying about finding the money to carpet / floor the place they just
got. Only talking about a grand(ish) for the flooring / carpet for upstairs
anyway.

I think you;'re right, and that your sentiments are remarkably
benevolent. Why not, if you intend to help your buyer, just
tell them that you'll give them back £1,000 in cash on exchange?
Then, they can make their own flooring decision, and you don't
have to do the work.

Owain wrote:
Neil wrote:
Not sure I agree that it's an utter waste.
Although it's a 3 bed detached it's just about in the range that 1st
timers can afford.

And many (not all) FTBs will want move-in condition, so finished
flooring is probably highly desirable. It needn't be top quality, it
only has to look 'nice' until about a week after they move in.

I think that's a waste. Neil does the work, the new owner undoes it.
Who gains? The flooring vendor, no-one else (except, possibly, the
Estate Agent).

On Fri, 09 Dec 2005 22:10:21 +0000, Chris Bacon
wrote:

Neil wrote:
"Chris Bacon" wrote...
People will probably want to put their own stuff in. Either just
clean the floors, or put on a cheap "vanilla" floor covering to
give an impression of what it'll look like "inhabited". More is
an utter waste of money.

Not sure I agree that it's an utter waste.

Although it's a 3 bed detached it's just about in the range that 1st timers
can afford. My impression nowadays is that most 1st timers can barely afford
the deposit and mortgage payments when they start off let alone have to
start worrying about finding the money to carpet / floor the place they just
got. Only talking about a grand(ish) for the flooring / carpet for upstairs
anyway.

I think you;'re right, and that your sentiments are remarkably
benevolent. Why not, if you intend to help your buyer, just
tell them that you'll give them back £1,000 in cash on exchange?
Then, they can make their own flooring decision, and you don't
have to do the work.


That would assume a buyer with an ability to imagine what it would be
like.

Possible, but cuts out part of the available market.


--

..andy

Andy Hall wrote:

That would assume a buyer with an ability to imagine what it would be
like.

Possible, but cuts out part of the available market.

A big part, judging by our latest house selling experience.

Comments we've had back from viewers:

- It's too neat and tidy [!!!]
- It's too clean [!!!!]
- It lacks character - beams, brass horseshoes etc [it's a 1930's house,
not a pub]


--
Grunff

In message , Chris Bacon
wrote
Neil wrote:
"Chris Bacon" wrote...
People will probably want to put their own stuff in. Either just
clean the floors, or put on a cheap "vanilla" floor covering to
give an impression of what it'll look like "inhabited". More is
an utter waste of money.
Not sure I agree that it's an utter waste.
Although it's a 3 bed detached it's just about in the range that 1st
timers can afford. My impression nowadays is that most 1st timers can
barely afford the deposit and mortgage payments when they start off
let alone have to start worrying about finding the money to carpet /
floor the place they just got. Only talking about a grand(ish) for
the flooring / carpet for upstairs anyway.

I think you;'re right, and that your sentiments are remarkably
benevolent. Why not, if you intend to help your buyer, just
tell them that you'll give them back £1,000 in cash on exchange?

Most of the day-time house selling programs on TV recommend the bull****
factor and spending £1K can make the difference between an easy sale and
a house that stays on the market forever.
--
Alan
news2005 {at} amac {dot} f2s {dot} com

In message , Grunff
wrote
Andy Hall wrote:

That would assume a buyer with an ability to imagine what it would be
like.
Possible, but cuts out part of the available market.

A big part, judging by our latest house selling experience.

Comments we've had back from viewers:

- It's too neat and tidy [!!!]
- It's too clean [!!!!]
- It lacks character - beams, brass horseshoes etc [it's a 1930's
house, not a pub]

It is well known that people who don't make an offer will be polite and
not necessarily tell you the real reason for not wanting your property.
--
Alan
news2005 {at} amac {dot} f2s {dot} com

Alan wrote:

- It's too neat and tidy [!!!]
- It's too clean [!!!!]
- It lacks character - beams, brass horseshoes etc [it's a 1930's
house, not a pub]


It is well known that people who don't make an offer will be polite and
not necessarily tell you the real reason for not wanting your property.


Happy to accept that, but "it's too clean"??? Really? Surely anyone
could come up with something better - "it smells bad" etc.

--
Grunff

Alan wrote:
Chris Bacon wrote
Neil wrote:
"Chris Bacon" wrote...
People will probably want to put their own stuff in. Either just
clean the floors, or put on a cheap "vanilla" floor covering to
give an impression of what it'll look like "inhabited". More is
an utter waste of money.

Not sure I agree that it's an utter waste.
Although it's a 3 bed detached it's just about in the range that 1st
timers can afford. My impression nowadays is that most 1st timers
can barely afford the deposit and mortgage payments when they start
off let alone have to start worrying about finding the money to
carpet / floor the place they just got. Only talking about a
grand(ish) for the flooring / carpet for upstairs anyway.


I think you;'re right, and that your sentiments are remarkably
benevolent. Why not, if you intend to help your buyer, just
tell them that you'll give them back £1,000 in cash on exchange?

Most of the day-time house selling programs on TV recommend the bull****
factor and spending £1K can make the difference between an easy sale and
a house that stays on the market forever.

Have you been reading this thread? In that case, all he's got
to do is put down the same cheap ****e surface throughout, as
I suggested earlier. Job done. Crikey, there's talk of under-
floor heat pads, tiling out the bathroom, and loads of stuff
that is off budget/unnecessary - you don't get much for only 1K!

Andy Hall wrote:
On Fri, 09 Dec 2005 22:10:21 +0000, Chris Bacon
wrote:


Neil wrote:

"Chris Bacon" wrote...

People will probably want to put their own stuff in. Either just
clean the floors, or put on a cheap "vanilla" floor covering to
give an impression of what it'll look like "inhabited". More is
an utter waste of money.

Not sure I agree that it's an utter waste.

Although it's a 3 bed detached it's just about in the range that 1st timers
can afford. My impression nowadays is that most 1st timers can barely afford
the deposit and mortgage payments when they start off let alone have to
start worrying about finding the money to carpet / floor the place they just
got. Only talking about a grand(ish) for the flooring / carpet for upstairs
anyway.

I think you;'re right, and that your sentiments are remarkably
benevolent. Why not, if you intend to help your buyer, just
tell them that you'll give them back £1,000 in cash on exchange?
Then, they can make their own flooring decision, and you don't
have to do the work.

That would assume a buyer with an ability to imagine what it would be
like.

Possible, but cuts out part of the available market.

A very large part, IMHO; and probably most of it.

It never ceases to amaze me how your average buyer can't see beyond
what's in front of their nose. Accordingly I've just recarpeted a
2-bed house I've been doing up, using pretty much the cheapest carpet I
could find, same plain beige stuff throughout - cost 400 GBP to supply
and fit (using the existing binders and underlay). Looks absolutely
great right now; the point is if I'd spent 4000 GBP on top-notch
carpeting instead, it wouldn't make the slightest difference to the
saleability or value of the property. In a similar vein, if I left the
old crabby carpets in place and offered 1000 GBP cashback for the
purchasers to buy their own, I don't believe for a second that it would
help me get an offer on the place.

David

In message , Neil
writes
Just gutted a house we bought and about to start doing it up to sell and
can't decided whether to go for laminate flooring throughout or carpet in
the hallway and stair case and the upstairs rooms.

Downstairs is going to be laminate regardless. Renewing all woodwork
upstairs (doors, door frames, skirting etc) so want my mind made up before
that gets done as if I go for laminate I want it done right - fitted under
skirting etc.

It's a 3 bedroom detached modern style villa in Glasgow. Enter through the
front door and have the stairs to the top floor facing you with only a short
hallway. Upstairs is 3 beds and family bathroom.

Friends and family seem split on what they think buyers would prefer and I'm
in two minds so looking for opinions here.

If i was doing the place up to stay in it myself then I'd go for laminate
throughout with heating mats but that's pricey and I'm not sure it would
make sense to do since I'm selling it. At the same time I think laminate in
bedrooms without any kind of underfloor heating could put people off.

Opinions please

Cheers,

Neil.



There is no doubt that the market has moved away from laminate in
houses, unless it the very expensive type which has a 5mm layer of real
wood as its' surface.

The property refurbishers in my area of South Manchester are now using a
neutral carpet with a decent underlay.

I buy reasonable carpet, (£8 a yard retail), from a small wholesaler for
£3 per yard, and Cloud 9 underlay off ebay suppliers for £2.60 +/- per
yard delivered.

The choice and service isnt as good at the wholesaler, but the savings
make it well worthwhile.

You may need to search quite hard for a wholesaler, but I'm sure they
will exist where you are.



--
Richard Faulkner

In message , Chris Bacon
writes
Owain wrote:
Neil wrote:
Not sure I agree that it's an utter waste.
Although it's a 3 bed detached it's just about in the range that 1st
timers can afford.
And many (not all) FTBs will want move-in condition, so finished
flooring is probably highly desirable. It needn't be top quality, it
only has to look 'nice' until about a week after they move in.

I think that's a waste. Neil does the work, the new owner undoes it.
Who gains? The flooring vendor, no-one else (except, possibly, the
Estate Agent).

How on earth does the Estate Agent gain, one way or the other??

--
Richard Faulkner

In message , Chris Bacon
writes
Neil wrote:
"Chris Bacon" wrote...
People will probably want to put their own stuff in. Either just
clean the floors, or put on a cheap "vanilla" floor covering to
give an impression of what it'll look like "inhabited". More is
an utter waste of money.
Not sure I agree that it's an utter waste.
Although it's a 3 bed detached it's just about in the range that 1st
timers can afford. My impression nowadays is that most 1st timers can
barely afford the deposit and mortgage payments when they start off
let alone have to start worrying about finding the money to carpet /
floor the place they just got. Only talking about a grand(ish) for
the flooring / carpet for upstairs anyway.

I think you;'re right, and that your sentiments are remarkably
benevolent. Why not, if you intend to help your buyer, just
tell them that you'll give them back £1,000 in cash on exchange?
Then, they can make their own flooring decision, and you don't
have to do the work.

If you watch the House Doctor type programmes, it is well and truly
obvious that most buyers have no vision, and attach massive negatives to
even the slightest sign of something which needs doing.

I've lost count of the number of people I have shown houses over the
years who say:

"I dont like the carpets", I dont like the decorations", "It's going to
need too much work".

Builders and developers present their houses in move in condition for a
reason - so should sensible sellers.

--
Richard Faulkner

Richard Faulkner wrote:

The property refurbishers in my area of South Manchester are now using a
neutral carpet with a decent underlay.

I buy reasonable carpet, (£8 a yard retail), from a small wholesaler for
£3 per yard, and Cloud 9 underlay off ebay suppliers for £2.60 +/- per
yard delivered.

The choice and service isnt as good at the wholesaler, but the savings
make it well worthwhile.

You may need to search quite hard for a wholesaler, but I'm sure they
will exist where you are.

Can I ask which one you use? (email is valid if you don't want to go
global for any reason!)

David

In message , Lobster
writes
Richard Faulkner wrote:

The property refurbishers in my area of South Manchester are now
using a neutral carpet with a decent underlay.
I buy reasonable carpet, (£8 a yard retail), from a small wholesaler
for £3 per yard, and Cloud 9 underlay off ebay suppliers for £2.60 +/-
per yard delivered.
The choice and service isnt as good at the wholesaler, but the
savings make it well worthwhile.
You may need to search quite hard for a wholesaler, but I'm sure
they will exist where you are.

Can I ask which one you use? (email is valid if you don't want to go
global for any reason!)

David



K & G carpets in Cheetham Hill - but dont expect any level of service,
and you can only look at piles of rolls, so can generally only look at a
turned back edge - it's worked for me, and saved me thousands!!.

--
Richard Faulkner

Huge wrote:
Richard Faulkner writes:

[26 lines snipped]


I've lost count of the number of people I have shown houses over the
years who say:

"I dont like the carpets", I dont like the decorations", "It's going to
need too much work".

Builders and developers present their houses in move in condition for a
reason - so should sensible sellers.


Personally, I don't GAS what potential buyers think (*), and I have no
intention of living in a bloody Wimpey show house, so I decorate it how
*I* want it. And that means nice warm toe-snuggly carpet in the
bathrooms, no ****ing dusty, noisy, impractical, cold,
everything-skids-about bloody wooden floors, uPVC windows that don't
have draughts and don't need painting, no stupid granite worktops that
might as well make the grease fluorescent, and all the other ********
nonsense on those stupid, past their sell-by, home "improvment" shows.

Fine. But as you say, you're *living* in the house, not
building/developing/selling it, so that's a totally different scenario
to what Richard's talking about.

David

Huge wrote:
Richard Faulkner writes:

[26 lines snipped]

I've lost count of the number of people I have shown houses over the
years who say:

"I dont like the carpets", I dont like the decorations", "It's going to
need too much work".

Builders and developers present their houses in move in condition for a
reason - so should sensible sellers.

Personally, I don't GAS what potential buyers think (*), and I have no
intention of living in a bloody Wimpey show house, so I decorate it how
*I* want it. And that means nice warm toe-snuggly carpet in the
bathrooms, no ****ing dusty, noisy, impractical, cold,
everything-skids-about bloody wooden floors, uPVC windows that don't
have draughts and don't need painting, no stupid granite worktops that
might as well make the grease fluorescent, and all the other ********
nonsense on those stupid, past their sell-by, home "improvment" shows.

(* Most of them don't.)


--
"Other people are not your property."
[email me at huge [at] huge [dot] org [dot] uk]

Yes, great - except that the OP said he was doing the house up to sell,
not to live in it!!

"Huge" wrote in message
...
Richard Faulkner writes:

[26 lines snipped]

I've lost count of the number of people I have shown houses over the
years who say:

"I dont like the carpets", I dont like the decorations", "It's going to
need too much work".

Builders and developers present their houses in move in condition for a
reason - so should sensible sellers.

Personally, I don't GAS what potential buyers think (*), and I have no
intention of living in a bloody Wimpey show house, so I decorate it how
*I* want it. And that means nice warm toe-snuggly carpet in the
bathrooms,

In the bathroom? You dirsy sod!" Such filth!

no ****ing dusty, noisy, impractical, cold,
everything-skids-about bloody wooden floors,

You want ca[pets full of bugs? You Philistine!"

uPVC windows that don't
have draughts and don't need painting,

You want draughts and want to paint every few months?

no stupid granite worktops that
might as well make the grease fluorescent,

You want tasteless crap in your kitchen?

and all the other ********
nonsense on those stupid, past their
sell-by, home "improvment" shows.

Have you ever seen one of those progs. IF they visited your house they
would have you committed.

"Sadly" wrote in message
oups.com...

Huge wrote:
Richard Faulkner writes:

[26 lines snipped]

I've lost count of the number of people I have shown houses over the
years who say:

"I dont like the carpets", I dont like the decorations", "It's going to
need too much work".

Builders and developers present their houses in move in condition for a
reason - so should sensible sellers.

Personally, I don't GAS what potential buyers think (*), and I have no
intention of living in a bloody Wimpey show house, so I decorate it how
*I* want it. And that means nice warm toe-snuggly carpet in the
bathrooms, no ****ing dusty, noisy, impractical, cold,
everything-skids-about bloody wooden floors, uPVC windows that don't
have draughts and don't need painting, no stupid granite worktops that
might as well make the grease fluorescent, and all the other ********
nonsense on those stupid, past their sell-by, home "improvment" shows.

(* Most of them don't.)


--
"Other people are not your property."
[email

The uk.d-i-y Lunatic Association enters the ring, and says....

Yes, great - except that the OP said he was doing the house up to sell,
not to live in it!!

On Sat, 10 Dec 2005 16:06:41 +0000, Richard Faulkner
wrote:

Builders and developers present their houses in move in condition for a
reason - so should sensible sellers.

Makes your job easier, huh ?

[I expect you know from experience how to talk round those potential buyers
who are being adversely put off by inconsequential "faults".]

I'm with Huge - this is *my* house, *I* live in it, I will *continue* to
live in it while/if a sale proceeds, and I have no particular intention of
selling it to some brain-washed TV addicts who expect all homes to look like
show houses. (Note the careful use of the two "h" words there.) If they
are that jittery, just imagine what happens when the slightest defect comes
up in the title or deeds or survey.

As far as I can see, the only point of decluttering and cream-painting your
house for sale is if there are a hundred and one others like it in the
vicinity, and somewhat less than a hundred and one potential buyers.

--
We'll burn that bridge when we come to it.

In message , John Laird
writes
On Sat, 10 Dec 2005 16:06:41 +0000, Richard Faulkner
wrote:

Builders and developers present their houses in move in condition for a
reason - so should sensible sellers.

Makes your job easier, huh ?

??? My job???



[I expect you know from experience how to talk round those potential buyers
who are being adversely put off by inconsequential "faults".]

Decorating and carpets - very difficult to convince someone to buy
something they dont particularly like. Particularly when they generally
have a few months to change their minds.


I'm with Huge - this is *my* house, *I* live in it, I will *continue* to
live in it while/if a sale proceeds, and I have no particular intention of
selling it to some brain-washed TV addicts who expect all homes to look like
show houses.

You dont have to do anything, or sell to anyone, you dont want, but I'd
bet you are the ones who blame the estate agent for not finding a buyer
at a price like, or as fast as, the house down the road which has taken
advice.

(Note the careful use of the two "h" words there.) If they
are that jittery, just imagine what happens when the slightest defect comes
up in the title or deeds or survey.


Happens all the time - which is why it can pay to deal with potential
problems up front.

As far as I can see, the only point of decluttering and cream-painting your
house for sale is if there are a hundred and one others like it in the
vicinity, and somewhat less than a hundred and one potential buyers.


When, or if, you decide to sell, what you are promoting will reduce your
pool of potential buyers, and reduce the price you will get, or the
speed you will sell at, or both - no matter what the nature of the
market. The agent's in it for 1 or 2 per cent - you're in it for 100%.

But that's you prerogative.

--
Richard Faulkner

"Richard Faulkner" wrote in message
...
In message , John Laird
writes
On Sat, 10 Dec 2005 16:06:41 +0000, Richard Faulkner
wrote:

Builders and developers present their houses in move in condition for a
reason - so should sensible sellers.

Makes your job easier, huh ?

??? My job???



[I expect you know from experience how to talk round those potential
buyers
who are being adversely put off by inconsequential "faults".]

Decorating and carpets - very difficult to convince someone to buy
something they dont particularly like. Particularly when they generally
have a few months to change their minds.


I'm with Huge - this is *my* house, *I* live in it, I will *continue* to
live in it while/if a sale proceeds, and I have no particular intention of
selling it to some brain-washed TV addicts who expect all homes to look
like
show houses.

You dont have to do anything, or sell to anyone, you dont want, but I'd
bet you are the ones who blame the estate agent for not finding a buyer at
a price like, or as fast as, the house down the road which has taken
advice.

(Note the careful use of the two "h" words there.) If they
are that jittery, just imagine what happens when the slightest defect
comes
up in the title or deeds or survey.


Happens all the time - which is why it can pay to deal with potential
problems up front.

As far as I can see, the only point of decluttering and cream-painting
your
house for sale is if there are a hundred and one others like it in the
vicinity, and somewhat less than a hundred and one potential buyers.


When, or if, you decide to sell, what you are promoting will reduce your
pool of potential buyers, and reduce the price you will get, or the speed
you will sell at, or both - no matter what the nature of the market. The
agent's in it for 1 or 2 per cent - you're in it for 100%.

But that's you prerogative.

Richard, it is clear most of these haven't a clue how to sell a house. There
is a set way of doing the presentation and decor that works for the majority
of punters out there. The make over TV progs have it right. All they have
to do is follow what they do and they will sell the house fast. Look at the
American lady with the turn in her eye. Look at the unsellable houses she
has made over that sell to the top price and quickly.

All you have to do is visit the show house at the local development to see
how to do it. How they counter your experience is incredible.

"Huge" wrote in message
...

When, or if, you decide to sell, what you are promoting will reduce your
pool of potential buyers, and reduce the price you will get, or the
speed you will sell at, or both - no matter what the nature of the
market.

I don't believe you. Like the old saw has it; "Location, location,
location."

Even in the location, location, location there are price variations. In
location, location, location, if one house has anew state-of-the-art kitchen
and bedroom, wooden floors and extensive lighting, and an identical one
hasn't been touched since 1978, which will go for more and sell quicker?
I'll give you one guess.

In message ews.net,
Doctor Drivel writes
Richard, it is clear most of these haven't a clue how to sell a house. There
is a set way of doing the presentation and decor that works for the majority
of punters out there. The make over TV progs have it right. All they have
to do is follow what they do and they will sell the house fast. Look at the
American lady with the turn in her eye. Look at the unsellable houses she
has made over that sell to the top price and quickly.

All you have to do is visit the show house at the local development to see
how to do it.

They dont spend thousands on show homes for fun - do they?

How they counter your experience is incredible.

The fact is that you cant ******g tell some people, and they go along
doing their own thing, sometimes getting lucky.

It's the same in the letting market - I present all of my flats to
exactly the same tried and tested formula, and usually let in a few
days, at fairly top dollar for the location. It's not rocket science.

--
Richard Faulkner

In message , David
writes
In article , Richard Faulkner
writes
In message ews.net,
Doctor Drivel writes
Richard, it is clear most of these haven't a clue how to sell a house. There
is a set way of doing the presentation and decor that works for the majority
of punters out there. The make over TV progs have it right. All they have
to do is follow what they do and they will sell the house fast. Look at the
American lady with the turn in her eye. Look at the unsellable houses she
has made over that sell to the top price and quickly.

All you have to do is visit the show house at the local development to see
how to do it.

They dont spend thousands on show homes for fun - do they?

How they counter your experience is incredible.

The fact is that you cant ******g tell some people, and they go along
doing their own thing, sometimes getting lucky.

It's the same in the letting market - I present all of my flats to
exactly the same tried and tested formula, and usually let in a few
days, at fairly top dollar for the location. It's not rocket science.

You're missing the point though Richard, the comments are made by people
who want to live in their houses not have them permanently as show homes
in case they decide to sell.

I thought I had agreed that anyone can do anything they like with their
homes, whether they are living in them, or thinking of selling them.

I have also pointed out that the thread originated from the OP question,
which related to the best thing to do when getting ready to sell, and
gave some advice related to the particular scenario.

Those who dont believe in doing anything to help sell houses are
actually trying to impose their views on the thread and, whilst being
valid opinions in their own right, do little to help the OP.

Having said that - the OP will be smart enough to sift the relevant
advice.

--
Richard Faulkner

In article , Richard Faulkner
writes

Snipped

The fact is that you cant ******g tell some people, and they go along
doing their own thing, sometimes getting lucky.

It's the same in the letting market - I present all of my flats to
exactly the same tried and tested formula, and usually let in a few
days, at fairly top dollar for the location. It's not rocket science.

You're missing the point though Richard, the comments are made by people
who want to live in their houses not have them permanently as show homes
in case they decide to sell.

I thought I had agreed that anyone can do anything they like with their
homes, whether they are living in them, or thinking of selling them.

I have also pointed out that the thread originated from the OP question,
which related to the best thing to do when getting ready to sell, and
gave some advice related to the particular scenario.

Those who dont believe in doing anything to help sell houses are
actually trying to impose their views on the thread and, whilst being
valid opinions in their own right, do little to help the OP.

Having said that - the OP will be smart enough to sift the relevant
advice.

I agree with you Richard, I was pointing out that you had got further
into an argument with folk that have no intention of selling, I'm saving
you from yourself :-)
--
David

In article ,
Neil neil.davidson@ wrote:
That's what the wife reckons as well. Personally I like laminate and
tiles. If I had my way I'd have everything tiled but it's not really
practical in our climate. Leaning more towards carpet upstairs and on
the stairs themselves now...

Laminates may be all very well if you live in a detached house on your
own, but the racket they make if you have kids and pets...

--
*No sentence fragments *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

Laminates may be all very well if you live in a detached house on your
own, but the racket they make if you have kids and pets...
Is this still the case with decent underlay ?
I guess the noise is clattering, dog claws clicking etc ?
Is this any better with engineered wood ?
I was thinking of good glueless laminate in order to make under-floor
access
not totally impossible in the future.
Simon.

"Richard Faulkner" wrote in message
...
In message ews.net,
Doctor Drivel writes
Richard, it is clear most of these haven't a clue how to sell a house.
There
is a set way of doing the presentation and decor that works for the
majority
of punters out there. The make over TV progs have it right. All they
have
to do is follow what they do and they will sell the house fast. Look at
the
American lady with the turn in her eye. Look at the unsellable houses she
has made over that sell to the top price and quickly.

All you have to do is visit the show house at the local development to see
how to do it.

They dont spend thousands on show homes for fun - do they?

If you look at them, there isn't much in them. Just neutral taste.

How they counter your experience is incredible.

The fact is that you cant ******g tell some people, and they go along
doing their own thing, sometimes getting lucky.

It's the same in the letting market - I present all of my flats to exactly
the same tried and tested formula, and usually let in a few days, at
fairly top dollar for the location. It's not rocket science.

What is your letting formula?

"Huge" wrote in message
...
Richard Faulkner writes:
In message ews.net,
Doctor Drivel writes
Richard, it is clear most of these haven't a clue how to sell a house.
There
is a set way of doing the presentation and decor that works for the
majority
of punters out there. The make over TV progs have it right.

Ah, confirmation, had I needed it, that I'm entirely correct; The drooling
one
thinks I'm wrong.

I like people like you to lose money.