What is the best way to spend $10K in getting a 25 year old house ready to sell? (details inside)?

Question

My parents are planning to put their house on the market in about a year. It is 25 years old, 2800 square feet, 5 bed, 3.5 bath. The kitchen was completely renovated 3 years ago and they just had interior of whole house repainted. My mom is convinced it needs new carpet (original beige plush) which she thinks won't add value but will help it sell faster (has it bid out already at about $8K). I think they should spend the money on updating bathrooms--we're talking pink sinks and tub in master suite, brown in other bathrooms which I think will actually add value to the house. Any opinions on where the best place to spend the money is?

Answer 1

I would not re-do the carpeting. Like the others' said, if a potential buyer says anything you could offer the carpet allowance, because chances are they might not like what is put in and put in their own carpet and your mom just spent all that money for nothing.

I also agree that the kitchens and bathrooms are the main things people look at. Anything cosmetic like paint don't do, because people want to do their own thing.

I would do a new sink and cabinet, maybe a marble countertop with the sink that looks like a bowl, and new handle, and yes redo the tub, maybe a new mirror or medicine cabinet/mirror in the bathrooms as well.

Answer 2

I would agree with you in this case.  Get RID of those pink bathroom fixtures.  They are terribly dated.  You can replace the sink and toilet rather inexpensively, but don't replace the bathtub.  Have it professionaly refinished to match whatever color is chosen for the other replacement fixtures.  Refinishing is FAR less costly than is replacement for a tub.

If Mom's beige plush is in good condition, have it throughly shampooed so that it looks as good as it possibly can.

The general notion here is to get rid of obviously dated and ugly products, no matter their condition.  If other items, regardless of age, are not dated in appearance, refurbish them as well as one can.

If the 'beige plush' looks dated, then replace it with something newer, but do NOT spend a huge amount per square yard.  Once carpet is laid properly, it's next to impossible to ascertain grade/quality.  Put in something sensible and attractive, at the lowest price possible.

Answer 3

Redo the master bath!   No pink!

Answer 4

If your color scheme in the bath is way our of date (and it sure sounds like it), that would be the place to start. I wouldn't recarpet unless the colors are really not neutral. You'd be better off saying that you would offer a $10,000 carpeting allowance.  

Answer 5

Thanks for the two points, but all of the answers above me are correct.  Never invest in cosmetics, you need to focus on structural.

Kitchen and bathrooms are vital to the value of the home.

Answer 6

Go nuetral, just cause you like it doesnt mean everyone will.  Have you thought of simply offering 8k towards upgrades to the new buyer?  That works great sometimes rather than spending the time and energy to do it yourself.  It makes people feel special.  

Answer 7

Don't do the floors.  Chances are, the next owners will want something different and may ask for a small credit towards new ones (will be included in sales contract).  Bathrooms and kitchens sell homes!  Use the money to update the bathrooms since the kitchen has already been done.  

Answer 8

Absolutely do the pink bathrooms first because that's a buyer turn-off.  Then you might look into laminate flooring and rip out that beige carpeting.  You know the kind of flooring that snaps together.  Always looks great and goes with everything.  You might point out that the floors are all allergy free unlike carpeting.  Good luck with selling the house.