Is it a foregone conclusion that putting money into refurbishing one's
house prior to putting it on the market is usually a good investment?

There are TV programs that seem to suggest so, but people who make TV
programs are making their money from making TV programs - not from buying
and refurbishing property! What's more, I often watch those progs (House
Doctor etc.) and think to myself: "Wow, if I were the buyer, I'd rather
they had left the place as it was and just given me the money they put into
"improving" it!"

In my case, the only major jobs left to be done that would make the place
significantly more attractive, would be fitting new carpets throughout,
redecorating throughout, repainting the exterior rendering, and replacing
the nackered wooden windows with new UPVC ones. I'd have to borrow the
money to do these jobs, (say £3K or £4K) and I'm concerned about getting
further into debt than I already am, because I'm already stretched. Of
course, if the house sells quickly, it wouldn't matter much, but it's a bit
hard to predict how long a house will take to sell.


Many thanks,

JD

On 02/01/2013 18:06, JakeD wrote:
Is it a foregone conclusion that putting money into refurbishing one's
house prior to putting it on the market is usually a good investment?

There are TV programs that seem to suggest so, but people who make TV
programs are making their money from making TV programs - not from buying
and refurbishing property! What's more, I often watch those progs (House
Doctor etc.) and think to myself: "Wow, if I were the buyer, I'd rather
they had left the place as it was and just given me the money they put into
"improving" it!"

In my case, the only major jobs left to be done that would make the place
significantly more attractive, would be fitting new carpets throughout,
redecorating throughout, repainting the exterior rendering, and replacing
the nackered wooden windows with new UPVC ones. I'd have to borrow the
money to do these jobs, (say £3K or £4K) and I'm concerned about getting
further into debt than I already am, because I'm already stretched. Of
course, if the house sells quickly, it wouldn't matter much, but it's a bit
hard to predict how long a house will take to sell.


Many thanks,

JD

Advice I had from an ex estate agent (no axe to grind) was not to
replace windows, paint everywhere magnolia with white gloss, make sure
kitchen & bathroom are OK, make sure front looks OK.

I renovated my bathroom for about £450 & spent £400 on new door/drawer
fronts for the kitchen.



--
Dave - The Medway Handyman www.medwayhandyman.co.uk

"The Medway Handyman" wrote in message
...
On 02/01/2013 18:06, JakeD wrote:
Is it a foregone conclusion that putting money into refurbishing one's
house prior to putting it on the market is usually a good investment?

There are TV programs that seem to suggest so, but people who make TV
programs are making their money from making TV programs - not from buying
and refurbishing property! What's more, I often watch those progs (House
Doctor etc.) and think to myself: "Wow, if I were the buyer, I'd rather
they had left the place as it was and just given me the money they put
into
"improving" it!"

In my case, the only major jobs left to be done that would make the place
significantly more attractive, would be fitting new carpets throughout,
redecorating throughout, repainting the exterior rendering, and replacing
the nackered wooden windows with new UPVC ones. I'd have to borrow the
money to do these jobs, (say £3K or £4K) and I'm concerned about getting
further into debt than I already am, because I'm already stretched. Of
course, if the house sells quickly, it wouldn't matter much, but it's a
bit
hard to predict how long a house will take to sell.


Many thanks,

JD

Advice I had from an ex estate agent (no axe to grind) was not to replace
windows, paint everywhere magnolia with white gloss, make sure kitchen &
bathroom are OK, make sure front looks OK.

I renovated my bathroom for about £450 & spent £400 on new door/drawer
fronts for the kitchen.


Advice for us was very similar - don't replace kitchen and bathroom as
purchaser is likely to do this anyway.
Clean, light, uncluttered.
Repainting the exterior rendering sounds a good idea as it will give more
'kerb appeal' (assuming that the current rendering is looking dodgy).
If the rendering is just dirty it can be spruced up amazingly by a good
wash.
If carpets are dark and dated it may be worth doing everywhere in the same
light (but cheap) carpet as this tends to make the house look bigger inside.
However clean and tidy and fresh paint is usually more important.


However in our case they did say that everyone in the area expects white
plastic windows.
However as long as the windows are clean and neat you could discount a bit
for the uPVC replacement by the purchaser.
Anything obviously rotten or knackered would be a turn off and suggest other
hidden problems due to neglect.

HTH

Dave R
--
No plan survives contact with the enemy.
[Not even bunny]

Helmuth von Moltke the Elder

(\__/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")

"David WE Roberts" wrote in message
...

"The Medway Handyman" wrote in message
...
On 02/01/2013 18:06, JakeD wrote:
Is it a foregone conclusion that putting money into refurbishing one's
house prior to putting it on the market is usually a good investment?

There are TV programs that seem to suggest so, but people who make TV
programs are making their money from making TV programs - not from
buying
and refurbishing property! What's more, I often watch those progs (House
Doctor etc.) and think to myself: "Wow, if I were the buyer, I'd rather
they had left the place as it was and just given me the money they put
into
"improving" it!"

In my case, the only major jobs left to be done that would make the
place
significantly more attractive, would be fitting new carpets throughout,
redecorating throughout, repainting the exterior rendering, and
replacing
the nackered wooden windows with new UPVC ones. I'd have to borrow the
money to do these jobs, (say £3K or £4K) and I'm concerned about getting
further into debt than I already am, because I'm already stretched. Of
course, if the house sells quickly, it wouldn't matter much, but it's a
bit
hard to predict how long a house will take to sell.


Many thanks,

JD

Advice I had from an ex estate agent (no axe to grind) was not to replace
windows, paint everywhere magnolia with white gloss, make sure kitchen &
bathroom are OK, make sure front looks OK.

I renovated my bathroom for about £450 & spent £400 on new door/drawer
fronts for the kitchen.


Advice for us was very similar - don't replace kitchen and bathroom as
purchaser is likely to do this anyway.

OTOH there are lots of buyers who will want to move straight into a house
with a kitchen/bathroom that they don't need to touch, and will overestimate
significantly the costs of updating yours.

This one really is a coin toss

tim

On Wednesday, January 2, 2013 9:40:55 PM UTC, David WE Roberts wrote:
snip

Anything obviously rotten or knackered would be a turn off and suggest other
hidden problems due to neglect.

Though of course a load of new doors and windows could be a cover-up of the same problems - I remember being told by someone in the property business that he regarded new front doors as a bad sign...

wrote
David WE Roberts wrote

Anything obviously rotten or knackered would be a turn
off and suggest other hidden problems due to neglect.

Though of course a load of new doors and windows
could be a cover-up of the same problems

Yes, anything is possible.

I remember being told by someone in the property business
that he regarded new front doors as a bad sign...

Just another mindlessly superficial approach unless he
just uses that as a good reason for a good close look
to ensure that it wasn't changed for that reason.

On 02/01/2013 18:06, JakeD wrote:

Is it a foregone conclusion that putting money into refurbishing one's
house prior to putting it on the market is usually a good investment?

Yes and no...

some stuff can be worth doing, but its not really worth doing major work
like a complete kitchen or bathroom refit or new windows since they
probably won't add as much valve as they cost, and more to the point -
whatever you choose will only appeal so some buyers. So if the kitchen
is beyond hope, knock the value off the price and let the new owner
choose what they want.

There are TV programs that seem to suggest so, but people who make TV
programs are making their money from making TV programs - not from buying
and refurbishing property! What's more, I often watch those progs (House
Doctor etc.) and think to myself: "Wow, if I were the buyer, I'd rather
they had left the place as it was and just given me the money they put into
"improving" it!"

In my case, the only major jobs left to be done that would make the place
significantly more attractive, would be fitting new carpets throughout,
redecorating throughout, repainting the exterior rendering, and replacing
the nackered wooden windows with new UPVC ones. I'd have to borrow the
money to do these jobs, (say £3K or £4K) and I'm concerned about getting
further into debt than I already am, because I'm already stretched. Of
course, if the house sells quickly, it wouldn't matter much, but it's a bit
hard to predict how long a house will take to sell.

Some stuff you can pay attention to... declutter, paint light colours
are eliminate that green and pink bedroom etc. Most buyers won't be
looking closely at windows etc.


--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

In my late parents' bungalow I replaced the very dated brown-swirly carpet
throughout, painted the (already painted but getting dingy) walls and
woodwork (all magnolia) and replaced a few fittings (front door handle, one
or two electrical sockets) which were mildly damaged or discoloured. On the
advice of the estate agent, I left the bathroom and kitchen alone. Most of
the rest of the work was just a very thorough clean, inside and out.

I was told to make the place welcoming and tidy and to get it into a state
which could happily be lived with for a few months while the buyer decides
what changes she or he wants to make. The agent had tales of would-be
buyers looking at newly renovated bathrooms and kitchens and declaring
"Well, I'd have to replace all that".

Bert

On 02/01/13 18:06, JakeD wrote:
Is it a foregone conclusion that putting money into refurbishing one's
house prior to putting it on the market is usually a good investment?

There are TV programs that seem to suggest so, but people who make TV
programs are making their money from making TV programs - not from buying
and refurbishing property! What's more, I often watch those progs (House
Doctor etc.) and think to myself: "Wow, if I were the buyer, I'd rather
they had left the place as it was and just given me the money they put into
"improving" it!"

In my case, the only major jobs left to be done that would make the place
significantly more attractive, would be fitting new carpets throughout,
redecorating throughout, repainting the exterior rendering, and replacing
the nackered wooden windows with new UPVC ones. I'd have to borrow the
money to do these jobs, (say £3K or £4K) and I'm concerned about getting
further into debt than I already am, because I'm already stretched. Of
course, if the house sells quickly, it wouldn't matter much, but it's a bit
hard to predict how long a house will take to sell.

It depends on te quality of house: at the boring suburban end of things
a well presented house with nothing needing to be done before moving in,
and a clean attractive appearance devoid of the sellers 'personality'
(and body odour) helps.

Larger houses that are always going to be revamped by someone with an
eye and a chequebook big enough will probably disregard any prettying up



Many thanks,

JD



--
Ineptocracy

(in-ep-toc-ra-cy) €“ a system of government where the least capable to
lead are elected by the least capable of producing, and where the
members of society least likely to sustain themselves or succeed, are
rewarded with goods and services paid for by the confiscated wealth of a
diminishing number of producers.

In article , The Natural Philosopher
wrote:
On 02/01/13 18:06, JakeD wrote:
Is it a foregone conclusion that putting money into refurbishing one's
house prior to putting it on the market is usually a good investment?

There are TV programs that seem to suggest so, but people who make TV
programs are making their money from making TV programs - not from
buying and refurbishing property! What's more, I often watch those
progs (House Doctor etc.) and think to myself: "Wow, if I were the
buyer, I'd rather they had left the place as it was and just given me
the money they put into "improving" it!"

In my case, the only major jobs left to be done that would make the
place significantly more attractive, would be fitting new carpets
throughout, redecorating throughout, repainting the exterior rendering,
and replacing the nackered wooden windows with new UPVC ones. I'd have
to borrow the money to do these jobs, (say £3K or £4K) and I'm
concerned about getting further into debt than I already am, because
I'm already stretched. Of course, if the house sells quickly, it
wouldn't matter much, but it's a bit hard to predict how long a house
will take to sell.

It depends on te quality of house: at the boring suburban end of things
a well presented house with nothing needing to be done before moving in,
and a clean attractive appearance devoid of the sellers 'personality'
(and body odour) helps.

Larger houses that are always going to be revamped by someone with an
eye and a chequebook big enough will probably disregard any prettying up

indeed so. Both are next door neighbours put in plans to enlarge the houses
within 6 months of moving in. As far as one neighbour is concerned a 4
bed-room house needs to be a 5 bedroom one, with 5 en-suite bathrooms!
--

--
From KT24

Using a RISC OS computer running v5.18

On 02/01/2013 18:06, JakeD wrote:
Is it a foregone conclusion that putting money into refurbishing one's
house prior to putting it on the market is usually a good investment?

De-cluttering and clean windows probably has more of an impact.


--
mailto:news{at}admac(dot}myzen{dot}co{dot}uk

On 02/01/13 18:06, JakeD wrote:
Is it a foregone conclusion that putting money into refurbishing one's
house prior to putting it on the market is usually a good investment?

In my experience the condition of a house affects how quickly it sells.

But the condition doesn't affect value by very much.

In article ,
JakeD wrote:
Is it a foregone conclusion that putting money into refurbishing one's
house prior to putting it on the market is usually a good investment?

No. Two very similar houses sold in this street recently - except one was
in good decorative order with new kitchen and bathroom, etc, the other
very old fashioned, but pretty sound. The second one actually sold for
slightly more. It might be different for one which would appeal to a first
time buyer, or for buy to rent.

--
*Elephants are the only mammals that can't jump *

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

On Jan 2, 6:06*pm, JakeD wrote:
Is it a foregone conclusion that putting money into refurbishing one's
house prior to putting it on the market is usually a good investment?

There are TV programs that seem to suggest so, but people who make TV
programs are making their money from making TV programs - not from buying
and refurbishing property! What's more, I often watch those progs (House
Doctor etc.) and think to myself: "Wow, if I were the buyer, I'd rather
they had left the place as it was and just given me the money they put into
"improving" it!"

In my case, the only major jobs left to be done that would make the place
significantly more attractive, would be fitting new carpets throughout,
redecorating throughout, repainting the exterior rendering, and replacing
the nackered wooden windows with new UPVC ones. I'd have to borrow the
money to do these jobs, (say £3K or £4K) and I'm concerned about getting
further into debt than I already am, because I'm already stretched. Of
course, if the house sells quickly, it wouldn't matter much, but it's a bit
hard to predict how long a house will take to sell.

Many thanks,

JD

The TV programs are largely ********.
The important thing to remember is that if it is your only lived in
home any profit is tax free.
Having said that, there are lots of people about these days have zero
DIY abilities and expect to walk into a house and have no work to do.
They go on what they see ie the superficials.
It's worth putting in a bathroom and kitchen, everything else should
be a minimum if you are just doing it to sell.

Outside, tidy up gardens and driveway (renewal if necessary).

Another important ting is "kerb appeal", ie, the theory that people
decide whether to buy from what they see first from outside. I think
that may be true. And position is a key factor.

You find that there are for sale cheaply, houses that have a very
obvious problem.
If you can think of a solution to this problem it may be a good buy. I
have had several such houses with access problems which I fixed.

Houses with a "view" are easier to sell.

On 03/01/13 10:06,
Houses with a "view" are easier to sell.

You can refurb a house, but you cant get rid of a view of your
neighbours wind turbines and solar panels..


--
Ineptocracy

(in-ep-toc-ra-cy) €“ a system of government where the least capable to
lead are elected by the least capable of producing, and where the
members of society least likely to sustain themselves or succeed, are
rewarded with goods and services paid for by the confiscated wealth of a
diminishing number of producers.

On 03/01/2013 10:06, harry wrote:

Another important ting is "kerb appeal", ie, the theory that people
decide whether to buy from what they see first from outside. I think
that may be true. And position is a key factor.

So if its not in a good position, move it, it will sell so much better
elsewhere! ;-)


--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

harry wrote:
The important thing to remember is that if it is your only lived in
home any profit is tax free.

You only have a profit if you replace it with somewhere cheaper - or
don't move anywhere else at all.

JGH

On Jan 3, 9:48*pm, jgharston wrote:
harry wrote:
The important thing to remember is that if it is your only lived in
home any profit is tax free.

You only have a profit if you replace it with somewhere cheaper - or
don't move anywhere else at all.

JGH

Well of course. You buy the next wreck to do up.

Also down size while prices are up and upsize while prices are down.

I downsized around six years ago. Another couple of years might be a
good time to think about upsizing.

On 03/01/2013 10:06, harry wrote:


Another important ting is "kerb appeal", ie, the theory that people
decide whether to buy from what they see first from outside. I think
that may be true. And position is a key factor.

The problem with kerb appeal is that it has little to do with the actual
house and more do do with the immediate neighbourhood. A run down
property in and area where neighbours look after their property will
sell whereas an immaculate property in a potential slum area will not.



--
mailto:news{at}admac(dot}myzen{dot}co{dot}uk

On Jan 5, 12:20*am, alan wrote:
On 03/01/2013 10:06, harry wrote:



Another important ting is "kerb appeal", ie, the theory that people
decide whether to buy from what they see first from outside. *I think
that may be true. *And position is a key factor.

The problem with kerb appeal is that it has little to do with the actual
house and more do do with the immediate neighbourhood. *A run down
property in and area where neighbours look after their property will
sell whereas an immaculate property in a potential slum area will not.

--
mailto:news{at}admac(dot}myzen{dot}co{dot}uk

True. But most house owners look after their houses better than
tenants.

In article , JakeD
scribeth thus

Is it a foregone conclusion that putting money into refurbishing one's
house prior to putting it on the market is usually a good investment?


Yes in most instances..

There are TV programs that seem to suggest so, but people who make TV
programs are making their money from making TV programs - not from buying
and refurbishing property! What's more, I often watch those progs (House
Doctor etc.) and think to myself: "Wow, if I were the buyer, I'd rather
they had left the place as it was and just given me the money they put into
"improving" it!"


You might .. most of the general population can't "see" anything other
then what they see in front of them..

In my case, the only major jobs left to be done that would make the place
significantly more attractive, would be fitting new carpets throughout,

If the old ones are manky then yes..

redecorating throughout, repainting the exterior rendering, and replacing
the nackered wooden windows with new UPVC ones.

If the decor is poor then yes 'tho bland magnolia is the real neutral
colour;!. If the windows are bad then yep, replace..

I'd have to borrow the
money to do these jobs, (say £3K or £4K) and I'm concerned about getting
further into debt than I already am, because I'm already stretched. Of
course, if the house sells quickly, it wouldn't matter much, but it's a bit
hard to predict how long a house will take to sell.

Indeed...

Rule numero uno is a house is only worth what you can get anyone to pay
for it;!..

Have a look around to see what similar properties are going for and how
long they take to sell.

To some extent if its a standard semi then yes, do make it look as they
could move in rightaway without much work needing doing, a larger place
then as others have said they will do what they think fit etc..

3 to 4 K on the price of a house unless your in a very poor area is very
little to spend on it.

Someone we know didn't do this and got some useless estate agents in and
if she had have spent a few £K could have got another 40 odd K!..

In fact the people who moved in said that, and they only reason they
managed to get it is the agents put off all the cash buyers;!...
--
Tony Sayer

In article , tony sayer
wrote:
I'd have to borrow the money to do these jobs, (say £3K
or £4K) and I'm concerned about getting further into
debt than I already am, because I'm already stretched.
Of course, if the house sells quickly, it wouldn't
matter much, but it's a bit hard to predict how long a
house will take to sell.
We sold ours at a time when the market was falling and it
took over two years (3 firm sales fell through in that time
and it was off the market for some months)

Although kitchen and bathroom were decent we (I) replaced
them for about 1K + my time. We put the price up and sold it
for 5K more than the original asking price.

Within weeks the new owner had started replacing the new
kitchen.

Feedback from viewers was useful. . . like the people who
didn't fancy having bedrooms on the ground floor. . .
but it was a bungalow.

John

--
John Mulrooney
NOTE Email address IS correct but might not be checked for a while.

No matter how early you arrive, someone else is in line first.

On 02/01/2013 18:06, JakeD wrote:
Is it a foregone conclusion that putting money into refurbishing one's
house prior to putting it on the market is usually a good investment?

There are TV programs that seem to suggest so, but people who make TV
programs are making their money from making TV programs - not from buying
and refurbishing property! What's more, I often watch those progs (House
Doctor etc.) and think to myself: "Wow, if I were the buyer, I'd rather
they had left the place as it was and just given me the money they put into
"improving" it!"

In my case, the only major jobs left to be done that would make the place
significantly more attractive, would be fitting new carpets throughout,
redecorating throughout, repainting the exterior rendering, and replacing
the nackered wooden windows with new UPVC ones. I'd have to borrow the
money to do these jobs, (say £3K or £4K) and I'm concerned about getting
further into debt than I already am, because I'm already stretched. Of
course, if the house sells quickly, it wouldn't matter much, but it's a bit
hard to predict how long a house will take to sell.


Many thanks,

JD

Dont waste your cash. A prospective purchaser is likely to knock the
price down to cover the cost of a kitchen/bathroom/carpets/laminate and
the like.

Just make sure the house looks good from the front, painted no obvious
damage so it has "kerb appeal".

I didn't because I was out of cash and staring at re-possession in the
medium term.

The house still sold (eventually - lack of kerb appeal was the problem).

But I took a a "big hit" on the price, think it cost me about £7K.
FB
--
Blow my nose to email me