I viewed a home 2 days ago. She was ready to go to the store and buy new carpet and then get the house on the market. She wanted my opinion before she did this. It was a good thing I went over before she wasted her money. She has several cracks in the walls (structural), needs a new roof (over 20 year), and all the windows ought to be replaced plus the wall paper taken down and the house painted. She is elderly and it would cost a lot of money for her to rennovate this home. I advised her to sell it as is for a lower price and find an investor. You probably need a Realtor to evaluate your situation and advise you. If all you need is a little spruce up it may net you more to install the countertops and appliances, but you need an expert to evaluate.

Many home buyers want see a home completed than WORK no matter what list price might be.

I have a property in Dallas 2 years on market comments were kitchen needs updating, guess what we have lowered price so low still can't receive a sales offer.

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Lynn911

We are aware of a situation in which the owner of a home did $60,000 remodel to prepare his home to sell. They found a happy buyer that purchased the home and did their own renovations that removed the entire scope of work that had just been completed.

Based on this situation, our recommendation is to adjust the current sale price to reflect the need for a kitchen upgrade.....but the decision is yours and should be treated as such.

No. You will likely make out better by investing in replacing the appliances and countertops before listing the house. Most buyers want a house that is updated and move-in ready and don't want to be bothered with doing the work. In addition, buyers often overestimate the costs associated with this type of project and will negotiate for more money than it would cost you to have the work done. Just make sure the choices you make are appropriate for your market and will appeal to your targeted buyer.

Part of a realtors job is to evaluate and recommend the right upgrades to get the home sold. If you need to hire a realtor then please let me know and I will get you connected with a realtor in your area.

Buying
I talked with a lady once. She had spent $6,000 updating (totally!) the upstairs bathroom because she read that kitchens and baths are where you make your money when you sell. By the time she met me, she had tried to sell her home and could not get the price she wanted.

We walked through her property: Wall to wall carpet needed replacing, the entire property needed be painted, kitchen needed work too. But she'd spent all the money on the bathroom.

Peggy is right, you need to have a Realtor who knows the local competition advise you on what you need. In a market with a lot of newer homes competition will be stiff. in a community with older homes the tweaks to make your home sell for the most money will be different.

Good luck.

Keith

I think that it would be in your best interest to have a Realtor visit your home and do a market analysis before you spend money on updating. Buyers do like to have everything in "move in" condition when they buy, but you have to make sure that you do not spend money that will overprice your home for the neighborhood. Your home will sell faster if the updating is done first, but you need to make sure that you can recoup most o the money that you spend on updates.

When you put your house on the market you want it to be ready to sell. The updating completed ahead of time will help your home sell. Buying a home is an emotional purchase; if your home is ready buyers will fall in love. Your first impression is the best impression you never get a second chance to make a great impression.