What is worth it to do from our list to get house ready to sell?

We MIGHT be putting our house on the market to sell soon. Did I just say that? Nobody knows and we don't even know if we'll end up going through with it, but it's something we were talking about last night.

We'll have a place to stay so we wouldn't have to buy another house right away (and we could save for a future house or figure out what we want to do... move back to NY maybe???!! ).

From this list, what is worth it and not worth it to do to the house before it goes on the market?

The house was built in 2003 and we're in south FL.

1. Re-tile master bathroom shower (or just re-grout)?

2. New upgraded carpet in master bedroom (2nd bedroom has new carpet)

3. Install faux wood blinds for office/den and dining room window (2nd bedroom has them... the other windows now have cheapo bamboo blinds)

4. Redo garage floor

5. Patch holes and paint garage

6. Install closet system in master bedroom walk-in closet

7. New carpet on foyer stairs

8. New banister for foyer stairs

Re: What is worth it to do from our list to get house ready to sell?

I would patch any holes and paint, and I would also regrout instead of retiling. Tiles should last more than 7 years (assuming they're the original--can you reglaze depending on what they are?)

I miiiiiiiight change the rugs if they're super worn but otherwise I wouldn't bother, maybe steam clean/shampoo them and see how they come out?

These things all make a HUGE difference and they're rather cheap to do...

Re: What is worth it to do from our list to get house ready to sell?

I would fix holes and spend as little as possible

your going to be competing against foreclosures and short sales down there- that will have a huge impact on your price (I know you got a good deal....but think of the reasons why it appealed to you- and that's the same mentality other buyers will have)

I would bring in 3 local realtors before you do anything and get opinions

good luck!

Re: What is worth it to do from our list to get house ready to sell?

i wouldn't spend any more money - your house is fabulous!

i love the window treatments you have, i wouldn't bother putting anything new up...if buyers don't like what you have they'll replace it themselves - in the meantime you HAVE window coverings which is a plus - and you don't know what the future buyer will want/like - for me i'd prefer the bamboo over faux wood...

i would just patch holes, touch up paint, maybe upgrade the carpet but that is it...

i'm not sure what your bathroom is like? they do say bathrooms and kitchens sell houses so it might be worth fixing up but if it's not horrible i would probably leave it...same for the closets..

you have new flooring, nice base and crown moldings, a new kitchen with granite, ss appliances - you have A LOT of nice upgrades already...

i would see what you can get as is - you don't want to put more $$ into the place (that you may not make back or may not make a big profit on) if you don't have to KWIM?

i'm not sure what you are competing against (are there other units in your development selling? for what? what do they look like inside?) but i have a feeling yours is one of the nicest!!

Re: What is worth it to do from our list to get house ready to sell?

Posted by Nik211

i'm not sure what you are competing against (are there other units in your development selling? for what? what do they look like inside?) but i have a feeling yours is one of the nicest!!

Re: What is worth it to do from our list to get house ready to sell?

Posted by CaMacho

Posted by Nik211

i'm not sure what you are competing against (are there other units in your development selling? for what? what do they look like inside?) but i have a feeling yours is one of the nicest!!

Thanks! I just looked and there are 2 other units for sale (one is our same model and one is a very different model) and are on the market for $60-70k more than what we paid in '08. Both have builder grade everything from when they were built in '03 but do have ss appliances, tile flooring and crown moulding. Ours looks totally different with the laminate wood and the way we decorated/painted. I'd be interested to see what people say and what, if any, offers come in.

How can I see if others sold recently?

Message edited 12/16/2010 1:14:06 PM.

Re: What is worth it to do from our list to get house ready to sell?

Your house is just beautiful. I agree with the pp who said spend as little money as possible. I bet you someone will grab it as soon as you list!!

Message edited 12/16/2010 3:37:16 PM.

Re: What is worth it to do from our list to get house ready to sell?

hey jess, if you guys do move and you plan on selling anything that you don't take let me know

Re: What is worth it to do from our list to get house ready to sell?

We are lsiting, again, in February and we are doing some of this as well.

Re: What is worth it to do from our list to get house ready to sell?

Thanks Nik! I found the website and spent most of the afternoon going through it (when I should have been working!) and found a few in our development that sold in 2010. Seems like we can make a pretty good profit...

Erica, thanks for the suggestions. I think we'll go with regrouting the shower and seeing how that turns out before redoing all the tile and I think we'll end up doing the closet system DIY since it's been at the top of our to-do list for a while.

Re: What is worth it to do from our list to get house ready to sell?

Re: What is worth it to do from our list to get house ready to sell?

I would do the following:

1. Re-grout bathroom shower

4. Redo garage floor

5. Patch holes and paint garage

6. Install closet system in master bedroom walk-in closet

Re: What is worth it to do from our list to get house ready to sell?

I would only patch the walls and paint, maybe give the rooms a fresh coat of paint and maybe regrout the tile if it's bad.

If the carpet is bad, replace with an inexpensive one.

I would not go crazy with closet systems, new banisters, new blinds and retiling - you probably won't see that money back...

Re: What is worth it to do from our list to get house ready to sell?

I'm going to take a picture of our master closet tonight and post it... then you'll tell me if we need to put in a closet system!

Re: What is worth it to do from our list to get house ready to sell?

I would def re-grout in the bathroom - people love a nice clean new bathroom
If the carpets are in bad shape - you can replace them cheaply if they are horrible - otherwise you can have them cleaned - some people might not keep the carpeting - I know that when I moved in my house, the carpets were all cleaned and not in bad shape but I ripped them up and did hardwood
I would fix the holes and maybe repaint the garage since it will be inexpensive.
All the rest of the stuff is cosmetic and cheap enough for the buyers to redo to their own taste
GL

Re: What is worth it to do from our list to get house ready to sell?

Posted by CaMacho

I'm going to take a picture of our master closet tonight and post it... then you'll tell me if we need to put in a closet system!

Re: What is worth it to do from our list to get house ready to sell?

I would have all the carpets cleans, re-grout bathroom and for some reason I feel like your bathroom is white (I could be making this up) but maybe paint it a subtle color and accessorize it .

Your house is beautiful and I really wouldn't spend anymore money on it. My garage isn't finished and it doesn't both us one bit.

I also agree with leaving what ever blinds you already have. Wood blinds isn't everyones taste and I would hate for you spend all that money only for someone to throw them out.