OT: Need some suggestions to get a house ready to sell...

[spacescape]

We need to move my wife's mom's house. It's almost empty so we could do one of two things. One being "sell as is" and take $15,000-$20,000 less. The other thing is to fix somet things up and try to make extra cash. Based on assessing the house this is what I think we are going to do.

Kitchen
1) Replace Counters w/ off the shelf counters
2) Replace Sink w/ Stainless Sink
3) Replace Faucet
4) Fix and Replace Cabinet doors that are damaged.
5) Replace fan w/ simple/clean light fixture
6) Paint Cabinets and walls a light neutral color

Other Items
1) Replace Damaged Interior Doors and either Paint or Stain
2) Paint Bathroom Ceiling
3) Paint ALL closets "WHITE"
4) Paint One bedroom to brighten it up
5) Paint Awnings
6) Fix Cracks on Porch w/ hydraulic cement
7) Paint Garage

Possible Items "IF" the budget allows
1) Tear up Living room and hall carpet and CLEAN or REFINISH floors
2) Tear up Carpet in Kitchen and put in Linoleum
3) Fix Front Landscaping

Basically, if I can get the counters, sink, cabinet doors, trim & interior doors installed. My wife's cousin has offered to do ALL the painting for free through his company. So, I need to push forward ASAP to get these items done ether by myself or my brother in law's... however, if I can't do certain things and they can't either then we will need to hire someone.

Anything I "SHOULD" do to get maximum $$$$$$ for our house w/o breaking the budget. Oh, and the house is in Michigan (Madison Heights) and the housing market is not that strong.

Thanks in advance.

Bill

[rgG]

I think you are making the right decision. Make the house look as good as possible cosmetically and it will be much more appealing to buyers. If it looks well cared for, they will be much less likely to make a low ball offer or start looking for other things to be wrong.

The things you mention seem like the best places to spend your time and money. If you can't replace the front landscaping, at least keep the grass neat and cut. Tear out any dead shrubs/trees and just make sure it looks clean and tidy. Curb appeal is what will initially draw a buyer in.

[grad]

check out http://www.hgtv.com Designed to Sell

[mjgkramer]

Consider installing ceiling fans in kitchen, bedrooms, and living area. Not much expense, you can do it yourself, and would be a plus.

Also, replace any torn or ratty looking screens on the windows.

[mikebw]

Yeah, and WASH the windows, inside and out. This can make any house look way better on the inside.

[Grateful11]

I second the "Curb Appeal". It's the first thing they will see.

[modelamac]

You are on the right track with the Kitchen and Other Items.

Empty the basement, and install a couple of fluorescent light fixtures.

Cobwebs in the floor joists, corners, basement windows. It would be nice if you could paint the walls white, but only if they are bare.

The Curb Appeal comments are right on. Trim any bushes that have over-grown sidewalks, or remove them if necessary.

[rz]

definitely do the landscape. We were going to go to an open house a few years ago, but drove up and drove off immediately because the house looked like crap from the outside. Ended up buying one 2 blocks over. They guy who bought it spent a lot of time fixing it up, and just sold it recently. It looked a lot better from the outside. He ripped out a bunch of scraggly bushes and planted new ones. That alone made a huge difference.

[Harbourmaster]

Your list looks good, consider also.

A fresh coat of (neutral color) paint on everything is a worthwhile expense.

Another low cost trick that will make the house seem fresh and new is to replace all of the electrical switches, outlets and covers with brand new white ones. This shouldn't cost more than $100 or so for the whole house but really helps to make things seem new and fresh.


If the floors are hardwood it may be worth the several thousand dollar cost to refinish them as it adds a warmth and richness to the house that no carpet can.


Carpet in the kitchen? Really!? I would tear that out for sure and have linoleum installed in it's place.

Any and all leaking or coroded bathroom fixtures should be replaced with new ones. If the sinks are damaged or stained badly you should consider replacing them as well.

[OWC Jamie]

Your list looks good.

Clean
Clean
Clean.

Even if it takes a fresh coat of paint to look clean.
Inside and out.


Neutral colors.

Kitchen and Bath shouldn't look beat.

Have the lawn cut just before any showings, remove any flowering/budding dandelions the night before, etc.
It's all the anal little things that can improve a sale.