Advice on work to sell house
Steve Smith
Advice sought from the group before I go to the estate agents.
There is minimal money available but I am willing to do as much work as I am
capable of doing. The house is a semi-detached bungalow, not sure of age but
probably 60's. It has not been redecorated for about twenty years. It has
carpets throughout, pink bathroom suite, polystyrene ceiling tiles and a
kitchen that shouts 'renew me'.
Any suggestions as to what I might do to make it more saleable?
I realise the ceiling tiles should go but what else? I'm thinking of
stripping everything - wallpaper and carpets.
Thanks
Steve
Dave Fawthrop
Redecorate first.
Watch daytime Sat/Digital TV, lots of programs about your problem there.
--
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Andy Hall
> Hi all
>
> Advice sought from the group before I go to the estate agents.
Check your wallet when you walk in and again when you leave the office...
>
> There is minimal money available but I am willing to do as much work as
> I am capable of doing.
Do you own this? Inheritance etc.? One option is to discuss with
an estate agent a likely selling price now and after refurbishment.
The delta may not make it worthwhile bothering or it might - depends on
area and desirability. Another is to take a small mortgage secured on
the property to fund some of the work. This comes out of the proceeds
of course but may be a way to fund the work - assuming the outcome
makes sense.
> The house is a semi-detached bungalow, not sure of age but probably
> 60's. It has not been redecorated for about twenty years. It has
> carpets throughout, pink bathroom suite, polystyrene ceiling tiles and
> a kitchen that shouts 'renew me'.
>
> Any suggestions as to what I might do to make it more saleable?
>
> I realise the ceiling tiles should go but what else? I'm thinking of
> stripping everything - wallpaper and carpets.
The general advice is to redecorate in a fairly neutral way because
that will appeal to more people. You can always add colour but not
take it away.
Certainly changing the bathroom suite is a must, as is the kitchen.
However, I think that the starting point is to look at the economics
and decide whether the amount of money you would need to spend, plus a
lot of work if you DIY it, is worth the return. Part of that would
be budgeting the materials etc.
The Medway Handyman
Apart from the cosmetics, check out the electic wiring, the roof and the
boiler/heating. All a big put off if surveys pick them up.
--
Dave
The Medway Handyman
www.medwayhandyman.co.uk
01634 717930
07850 597257
raden
<s4821s2...@yahoo.co.uk> writes
Who was that annoying colonial woman who did a series recently - Analise
(?) someone or other?
--
geoff
Phil L
Borrow 5 grand and spend it on the kitchen and bathroom, it will increase
the value by 20K
Dave Fawthrop
wrote:
The next door house to us, which was a wreck, was bought by a builder for
GBP100,000 the kitchen and bathroom were replaced, some extra UPVC windows
added, the whole place redecorated in off white, cheap gray carpets layed.
It is now for sale for GBP145,000. Could not have cost more than 20,000
to do up.
Mind you house prices are rocketing in our area. :-)
Stuart
>
>The general advice is to redecorate in a fairly neutral way because
>that will appeal to more people. You can always add colour but not
>take it away.
>
>Certainly changing the bathroom suite is a must, as is the kitchen.
>
>However, I think that the starting point is to look at the economics
>and decide whether the amount of money you would need to spend, plus a
>lot of work if you DIY it, is worth the return. Part of that would
>be budgeting the materials etc.
>
>
>
I'd agree with getting rid of a pink bathroom suite .That would make most people
turn and walk out the door . lol...
I's also agree with considering the advantage to be gained from spending some
money to assist in selling it remembering that most people are unable to see
past what is in front of them .
Stuart
meow...@care2.com
Generally one would remove polystyrene tiles, you may have to replaster
the ceiling afterwards though. Also repaint so it all looks nice &
clean & light, & declutter. Whether anything else is worth doing
depends entirely on the house & location. If the place is worth minimal
then you may lose out doing more, but if your area has reasonable house
prices then just sorting out anything bad is really the way to go. Rot
in window frames can be repaired for very little, etc. Hard to know
what its weakpoints are without seeing it really.
NT
Dave Plowman (News)
Steve Smith <s4821s2...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
> There is minimal money available but I am willing to do as much work as
> I am capable of doing. The house is a semi-detached bungalow, not sure
> of age but probably 60's. It has not been redecorated for about twenty
> years. It has carpets throughout, pink bathroom suite, polystyrene
> ceiling tiles and a kitchen that shouts 'renew me'.
> Any suggestions as to what I might do to make it more saleable?
> I realise the ceiling tiles should go but what else? I'm thinking of
> stripping everything - wallpaper and carpets.
To me it would depend on who it's aimed at. First time buyers would
probably want somewhere they could move into with minimal expense. Others
might want to put their own footprint on their hew home. So I'd not waste
money on kitchen and bathroom - ie a new cheap but serviceable solution
will fool no one, whereas spending serious money will never be recovered.
Since the house is empty, I'd concentrate on the basics which are a PITA
after moving in - re-wiring and a decent heating system. Both of which you
can save a great deal on by at least partial DIY, depending on skills. A
good roof guttering and external decoration helps too as does a tidy
garden, fences and gates, etc. As regards internal decorations decorator's
finish with bare floor would be my choice.
As regards internal decoration
--
*How do you tell when you run out of invisible ink? *
Dave Plowman da...@davenoise.co.uk London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.
Dave Plowman (News)
Phil L <neverc...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> Borrow 5 grand and spend it on the kitchen and bathroom, it will
> increase the value by 20K
I really don't believe this for anything other than an inexperienced house
buyer. A new kitchen is one of the first things people do in a new to them
house.
--
*Is there another word for synonym?
Dave Plowman (News)
Stuart <sp...@nospam.plus.com> wrote:
> I'd agree with getting rid of a pink bathroom suite .That would make
> most people turn and walk out the door . lol...
I doubt it would for anyone here. A cheap B&W suite with electric shower
would me, though. And I wouldn't expect that to ad its cost to the house
value.
--
*Being healthy is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die.
Weatherlawyer
Dave Fawthrop wrote:
> On Sun, 17 Dec 2006 14:46:12 GMT, "Phil L" <neverc...@hotmail.com>
> wrote:
> |Steve Smith wrote:
>
> |> There is minimal money available but I am willing to do as much work
> |> as I am capable of doing. The house is a semi-detached bungalow, not
> |> sure of age but probably 60's. It has not been redecorated for about
> |> twenty years. It has carpets throughout, pink bathroom suite,
> |> polystyrene ceiling tiles and a kitchen that shouts 'renew me'.
> |>
> |> Any suggestions as to what I might do to make it more saleable?
> |>
> |> I realise the ceiling tiles should go but what else? I'm thinking of
> |> stripping everything - wallpaper and carpets.
>
> |the value by 20K
>
> The next door house to us, which was a wreck, was bought by a builder for
> GBP100,000 the kitchen and bathroom were replaced, some extra UPVC
> windows added, the whole place redecorated in off white, cheap gray carpets
> layed. It is now for sale for GBP145,000. Could not have cost more than
> 20,000 to do up.
This poster could use some lessons in writing English. It is a
peculiarity with newbies that they mistake terseness for masculinity.
You could strip the paper as that will look depressing after a few
years however good it was and paint the ceiling white and the walls
magnolia. Get it in 2 or 3 gallon tins.
You can lightly sand the kitchen unit doors and give them a coat of
white too. Make sure you brush the lines out then coat them in
eggshell.
You'll be amazed at the difference that makes and that lot will only
cost a hundred quid or so.
Paint the windows and doors the same way too and there is only the
furniture and carpet to think about. Get an orbital sander and use a
roll of green medium grit on the walls before painting (use fine on the
woodwork.)
To make the job easier, take the doors off, get a couple of those cheap
plastic benches and lay them on those (do them one at a time and
replace them one at a time too or you will get lost) and you'll crack
the lot in a week.
It won't cost more than 2 or 3 hundred quid tops.
If the carpets are not too atrocious, a steam cleaner might sort the
them out. Hire one for a week and go over them a couple of times. Make
sure the hire firm doesn't give you some crappy tack. They have a habit
of not maintaining their stock properly.
meow...@care2.com
> Dave Fawthrop wrote:
> > On Sun, 17 Dec 2006 14:46:12 GMT, "Phil L" <neverc...@hotmail.com>
> > wrote:
> > |Steve Smith wrote:
> > |> There is minimal money available but I am willing to do as much work
> > |> as I am capable of doing. The house is a semi-detached bungalow, not
> > |> sure of age but probably 60's. It has not been redecorated for about
> > |> twenty years. It has carpets throughout, pink bathroom suite,
> > |> polystyrene ceiling tiles and a kitchen that shouts 'renew me'.
> > |>
> > |> Any suggestions as to what I might do to make it more saleable?
> You could strip the paper as that will look depressing after a few
> years however good it was and paint the ceiling white and the walls
> magnolia. Get it in 2 or 3 gallon tins.
If money's tight, lime paint is good for ceilings and ubercheap. A £6
bag of lime will be plenty. Mix lime with water to a paste and leave in
sealed tub overnight. Dilute till its like water and paint on. It looks
very thin at first, but bodies up well over a few days as it cures.
> Paint the windows and doors the same way too and there is only the
> furniture and carpet to think about. Get an orbital sander and use a
> roll of green medium grit on the walls before painting
eh?
> To make the job easier, take the doors off,
eh?
NT
Owain
> There is minimal money available but I am willing to do as much work as I am
> capable of doing. The house is a semi-detached bungalow, not sure of age but
> probably 60's. It has not been redecorated for about twenty years. It has
> carpets throughout, pink bathroom suite, polystyrene ceiling tiles and a
> kitchen that shouts 'renew me'.
> Any suggestions as to what I might do to make it more saleable?
> I realise the ceiling tiles should go but what else? I'm thinking of
> stripping everything - wallpaper and carpets.
Ann Maurice is the guru - get her books from the library.
Bathroom / Kitchen and Garden are probably the 3 main things.
Everything else is probably just clean and paint in "light neutral tones".
Carpets might just need cleaning if they're otherwise plain and good.
Remember you can save a couple of percent if you sell privately rather
than using an estate agent. Agents give free valuations or you can get
sold prices for your area on the internet.
Owain
Phil L
> Dave Fawthrop wrote:
>> On Sun, 17 Dec 2006 14:46:12 GMT, "Phil L" <neverc...@hotmail.com>
>> wrote:
>>> Steve Smith wrote:
>>
>>>> There is minimal money available but I am willing to do as much
>>>> work as I am capable of doing. The house is a semi-detached
>>>> bungalow, not sure of age but probably 60's. It has not been
>>>> redecorated for about twenty years. It has carpets throughout,
>>>> pink bathroom suite, polystyrene ceiling tiles and a kitchen that
>>>> shouts 'renew me'.
>>>>
>>>> Any suggestions as to what I might do to make it more saleable?
>>>>
>>>> I realise the ceiling tiles should go but what else? I'm thinking
>>>> of stripping everything - wallpaper and carpets.
>>
>>> Borrow 5 grand and spend it on the kitchen and bathroom, it will
>>> increase the value by 20K
>>
>> The next door house to us, which was a wreck, was bought by a
>> builder for GBP100,000 the kitchen and bathroom were replaced, some
>> extra UPVC
>> windows added, the whole place redecorated in off white, cheap gray
>> carpets layed. It is now for sale for GBP145,000. Could not have
>> cost more than 20,000 to do up.
>
> This poster could use some lessons in writing English. It is a
> peculiarity with newbies that they mistake terseness for masculinity.
>
Which poster would this be?
Andrew Gabriel
"Dave Plowman (News)" <da...@davenoise.co.uk> writes:
>
> To me it would depend on who it's aimed at. First time buyers would
> probably want somewhere they could move into with minimal expense. Others
> might want to put their own footprint on their hew home. So I'd not waste
> money on kitchen and bathroom - ie a new cheap but serviceable solution
> will fool no one, whereas spending serious money will never be recovered.
> Since the house is empty, I'd concentrate on the basics which are a PITA
> after moving in - re-wiring and a decent heating system. Both of which you
> can save a great deal on by at least partial DIY, depending on skills. A
> good roof guttering and external decoration helps too as does a tidy
Hum, I don't find myself agreeing here. I don't know anyone who
makes a buying decision based on the of condition of heating or
wiring. People mostly don't think of these at all. A clean and
tidy kitchen and bathroom are always listed as the number one
features.
--
Andrew Gabriel
Dave Plowman (News)
Andrew Gabriel <and...@cucumber.demon.co.uk> wrote:
> Hum, I don't find myself agreeing here. I don't know anyone who
> makes a buying decision based on the of condition of heating or
> wiring. People mostly don't think of these at all. A clean and
> tidy kitchen and bathroom are always listed as the number one
> features.
Then they live to regret it. It of course depends on how experienced a
house owner they were before this purchase. The house didn't sound like a
first time buyer type of place.
--
*Keep honking...I'm reloading.
Weatherlawyer
Phil L wrote:
>
> Which poster would this be?
If context eludes you then it doesn't matter unless you too are
contemplating the same sort of thing.
The advice is sound and if the one asking for it can't see it, he
shouldn't be let loose with a toothbrush, never mind a paint brush.
Edward W. Thompson
<s4821s2...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
Other than all the suggestions for internal 'improvements' you must
not neglect 'kerb appeal'. Before anyone will purchase the property
you must get them through the front door, to do that the outside must
look attractive. So, garden, exterior paintwork and roof must all
look 'cared for'.
mogga
<inv...@hyphenologist.co.uk.invalid> wrote:
>
>The next door house to us, which was a wreck, was bought by a builder for
>GBP100,000 the kitchen and bathroom were replaced, some extra UPVC windows
>added, the whole place redecorated in off white, cheap gray carpets layed.
>It is now for sale for GBP145,000. Could not have cost more than 20,000
>to do up.
>
>Mind you house prices are rocketing in our area. :-)
As Ms Beeney would say "they'd have got that for it even if they'd not
done any work"
:)
--
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http://www.christmasfreebies.co.uk/christmas-cards.htm
What I want for Christmas
http://www.christmasfreebies.co.uk/dear-boyfriend.htm
mogga
<s4821s2...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
>Hi all
>
>Advice sought from the group before I go to the estate agents.
>
>There is minimal money available but I am willing to do as much work as I am
>capable of doing. The house is a semi-detached bungalow, not sure of age but
>probably 60's. It has not been redecorated for about twenty years. It has
>carpets throughout, pink bathroom suite, polystyrene ceiling tiles and a
>kitchen that shouts 'renew me'.
>
>Any suggestions as to what I might do to make it more saleable?
>
Make the price attractive.
>I realise the ceiling tiles should go but what else? I'm thinking of
>stripping everything - wallpaper and carpets.
>
>Thanks
>
>Steve
>
Phil L
> Phil L wrote:
>>
>> Which poster would this be?
>
> If context eludes you then it doesn't matter unless you too are
> contemplating the same sort of thing.
>
English, for fucks sake.
> The advice is sound and if the one asking for it can't see it, he
> shouldn't be let loose with a toothbrush, never mind a paint brush.
I agree, emuslioning the kitchen cupboards was sound advice though.
no really.
Guy Dawson
Having just (on the 12th) moved into a house with
avacardo family bathroom
pink master bedroom and en-suite
mock tudor interior living room
1980's style red and white kitchen
pale lavender bed room
pale purple bed room
and other crimes against taste we're happy that we've not paid
a premium for new decoration in a style we did not actually like!
The money we did not spend can now be spent redecorating exactly
as we want it rather than how the seller thought we might have
wanted it.
The house was neat, clean and tidy thought.
As per another poster, get a estate agents to give some guide
prices with and without redecoration.
Guy
-- --------------------------------------------------------------------
Guy Dawson I.T. Manager Crossflight Ltd
gn...@crossflight.co.uk
Guy Dawson
> In article <45858d29$0$756$5a6a...@news.aaisp.net.uk>,
> Andrew Gabriel <and...@cucumber.demon.co.uk> wrote:
>> Hum, I don't find myself agreeing here. I don't know anyone who
>> makes a buying decision based on the of condition of heating or
>> wiring. People mostly don't think of these at all. A clean and
>> tidy kitchen and bathroom are always listed as the number one
>> features.
>
> Then they live to regret it.
<CYNIC>
Indeed but by then they've bought the house and it's not the OPs problem
any more!!
</CYNIC>
Dave Plowman (News)
> avacardo family bathroom
> pink master bedroom and en-suite
> mock tudor interior living room
> 1980's style red and white kitchen
> pale lavender bed room
> pale purple bed room
> and other crimes against taste we're happy that we've not paid
> a premium for new decoration in a style we did not actually like!
> The money we did not spend can now be spent redecorating exactly
> as we want it rather than how the seller thought we might have
> wanted it.
> The house was neat, clean and tidy thought.
> As per another poster, get a estate agents to give some guide
> prices with and without redecoration.
Yup. A bathroom replaced purely for sale is likely to be thrown in - as is
a kitchen. And you'll have no comeback on the installer, or vendor come to
that, if there are problems. Far better deal for both to simply not bother.
Most of these TV programs talk crap about costs of doing such things -
like ignoring a true labour charge.
--
*Suicidal twin kills sister by mistake.
ARWadsworth
"Andrew Gabriel" <and...@cucumber.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:45858d29$0$756$5a6a...@news.aaisp.net.uk...
I agree that people forget these important things when buying and will have
to pay later. "A clean and tidy kitchen and bathroom are always listed as
the number one features" is true and people often never look further.
I would never buy a new house without a PI investiging the next door
neighbour after buying this house.
Adam
Andy Hall
>
> I would never buy a new house without a PI investiging the next door
> neighbour after buying this house.
>
> Adam
Is the neighbour a wrong'un?
Doctor Drivel
"Dave Plowman (News)" <da...@davenoise.co.uk> wrote in message
news:4e96b75...@davenoise.co.uk...
>> There is minimal money available but I am willing to do as much work as
>> I am capable of doing. The house is a semi-detached bungalow, not sure
>> of age but probably 60's. It has not been redecorated for about twenty
>> years. It has carpets throughout, pink bathroom suite, polystyrene
>> ceiling tiles and a kitchen that shouts 'renew me'.
>
>> Any suggestions as to what I might do to make it more saleable?
>
>> I realise the ceiling tiles should go but what else? I'm thinking of
>> stripping everything - wallpaper and carpets.
>
> To me it would depend on who it's aimed at.
Do you have in the add first time buyers only?
> First time buyers would
> probably want somewhere they could move into with minimal expense. Others
> might want to put their own footprint on their hew home.
So advertise do doerupperers only need apply.
<snip crap advice>
Boy you are a plantpot and really should eff off.
Doctor Drivel
"Steve Smith" <s4821s2...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:45850...@mk-nntp-2.news.uk.tiscali.com...
> Hi all
>
> Advice sought from the group before I go to the estate agents.
>
> am capable of doing. The house is a semi-detached bungalow, not sure of
> age but probably 60's. It has not been redecorated for about twenty years.
> It has carpets throughout, pink bathroom suite, polystyrene ceiling tiles
> and a kitchen that shouts 'renew me'.
>
> Any suggestions as to what I might do to make it more saleable?
>
> I realise the ceiling tiles should go but what else? I'm thinking of
> stripping everything - wallpaper and carpets.
>
>
> Steve
Do a Google on Fowler and timegoesby. They did some good posts on this sort
of thing.
Lobster
Is he a wrong'un?!!! ROFL
Andy I'm sure if you google for posts by "ARWadsworth", along with a few
choice keywords like "neighbour" and maybe "axe" it will put you on the
right path...
David
Dave Plowman (News)
Doctor Drivel <Min...@nospam.com> wrote:
> "Dave Plowman (News)" <da...@davenoise.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:4e96b75...@davenoise.co.uk...
> > In article <45850...@mk-nntp-2.news.uk.tiscali.com>,
> > Steve Smith <s4821s2...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
> >> There is minimal money available but I am willing to do as much work
> >> as I am capable of doing. The house is a semi-detached bungalow, not
> >> sure of age but probably 60's. It has not been redecorated for about
> >> twenty years. It has carpets throughout, pink bathroom suite,
> >> polystyrene ceiling tiles and a kitchen that shouts 'renew me'.
> >
> >> Any suggestions as to what I might do to make it more saleable?
> >
> >> I realise the ceiling tiles should go but what else? I'm thinking of
> >> stripping everything - wallpaper and carpets.
> >
> > To me it would depend on who it's aimed at.
> Do you have in the add first time buyers only?
Would that be add to the ad?
> > First time buyers would probably want somewhere they could move into
> > with minimal expense. Others might want to put their own footprint on
> > their hew home.
> So advertise do doerupperers only need apply.
You really need to lay off the sauce.
> <snip crap advice>
> Boy you are a plantpot and really should eff off.
You might just read the original post and ponder how many first time
buyers can afford a semi-detached bungalow.
--
*Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional
Doctor Drivel
> In article <45871f15$0$97260$892e...@authen.yellow.readfreenews.net>,
> Doctor Drivel <Min...@nospam.com> wrote:
>
>> "Dave Plowman (News)" <da...@davenoise.co.uk> wrote in message
>> news:4e96b75...@davenoise.co.uk...
>> > In article <45850...@mk-nntp-2.news.uk.tiscali.com>,
>> > Steve Smith <s4821s2...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
>
>> >> There is minimal money available but I am willing to do as much work
>> >> as I am capable of doing. The house is a semi-detached bungalow, not
>> >> sure of age but probably 60's. It has not been redecorated for about
>> >> twenty years. It has carpets throughout, pink bathroom suite,
>> >> polystyrene ceiling tiles and a kitchen that shouts 'renew me'.
>> >
>> >> Any suggestions as to what I might do to make it more saleable?
>> >
>> >> I realise the ceiling tiles should go but what else? I'm thinking of
>> >> stripping everything - wallpaper and carpets.
>> >
>> > To me it would depend on who it's aimed at.
>
>> Do you have in the add first time buyers only?
>
> Would
Boy you are a plantpot and really should eff off.
Dave Plowman (News)
Those with a drink problem such as yours frequently won't admit it to
themselves, but their actions show it only too obviously to others.
Fortunately help can be had for this unfortunate illness.
--
*INDECISION is the key to FLEXIBILITY *
Andy Hall
Oh, yes. Now I remember....
Doctor Drivel
Steve Smith
Thanks for the many comments. Sorry if I was short on detail. The house was
indeed an inheritance.
Finding buyers for the house will be a problem. As has been pointed out,
first-time buyers will expect not
to have to do too much work. Retired couples, which it might also suit,
again would not want to do any work.
It has two bedrooms and no garage, only parking space.
The house is probably valued at £120,000 - £150,000 if in tip-top condition
and with all modern features.
This is based on net searches of similar properties (£120,000 - 2003 and
£140,000 - 2005).
Since I haven't the money to accomplish this I am trying my best with what I
have.
The outside is reasonably respectable, newly painted gates, clean but bare
front garden. UPVC windows were
installed about 10 years ago. Front and back doors wooden and in need of
replacement. Roof is sound. The
guttering could do with replacement but is otherwise OK.
The interior is the problem. The electrics are obviously old (fuse boxes),
but there have been no problems
that I am aware of. Rewiring may be necessary to aid selling but is this not
required to be done by a qualified electrician? How expensive would that be?
The house had electric central heating and most of the radiators are past
it. Some storage heaters have been fitted. As mentioned, the bathroom suite
is pink/peach, reasonably tidy. A shower in the bath needs replacement. The
kitchen units do need replacing as the wall units are very shallow and full
height which is rather stupid since you need a stool to reach the top ones.
A few new units and replacing all the others with matching doors might be an
option.
Cavity-wall insulation has been installed as has loft insulation.
The house is built on a raft with raised wooden floors. Is it worthwhile
sanding and varnishing any of the
rooms?
Thanks
Steve
Andy Hall
I think that the first two things to do are to contact an estate agent
and get valuations with and without refurbishment and indeed ease of
sale.
I wouldn't necessarily assume that first time buyers wouldn't want to
fix the place up.
If you could sell it as is for £120-130k or at £150k after a fix up, is
it worth it? You would probably spend £10k or so on materials and
then a great deal of time. WIth a rewire etc. it would be difficult
to see getting very much under £15k in terms of outgoings. In other
words not very worthwhile.
OTOH, if it were only worth £90k without refurbishment, the result
would be much more worthwhile, provided that you are happy to invest
the time. One view of that could be as a learning exercise.
I do think that if the arithmetic makes sense that it could be worth
taking a small mortgage on the property to fund buying decent materials
(doesn't have to be outrageous) and if need be the labour on certain
aspects like rewiring if you don't want to do it. What wouldn't make
sense is to try doing the whole thing on a shoe string with crappy
materials and it ending up looking like a cheap dog's breakfast. That
wouldn't give the outcome you want.
Once you know the sums of money and the work required, I think it would
be much easier to know what makes sense to do.
Lobster
>
> I wouldn't necessarily assume that first time buyers wouldn't want to
> fix the place up.
There are some that would, for sure, but these days I'm afraid the vast
majority of FTBs want somewhere in showroom condition that they can move
straight into, and not have to think about doing anything to it. They
have far higher expectations than people did a generation ago, and as
we've discussed here before, they don't have the diy skills (or interest
in learning) that their parents did. And no imagination whatsoever.
This was brought home to me personally when we recently sold a small
terraced house which we'd been letting out for several years.
Initially, we put it on the market pretty well as-is: clean and in good
condition but a bit 'tired' looking and with a blue bathroom suite. We
had 30-40 viewings over 2 months, but not one single offer, both of
which implied to me that the asking price was not at issue. We let it
out again instead, and after the next tenant had quit 9 months later we
decided to have another go at selling. This time, I spent about 2.5K on
refitting the bathroom, updating the kitchen a bit (new worktops and
replacing the freestanding oven with a built-in hob/oven combo) and
fitting dirt-cheap new plain beige carpet throughout, replacing the
sliding wardrobe doors with trendy mirrored ones, plus gave it a fresh
coat of magnolia to to bottom. In pretty similar local marketing
conditions, at the same time of year, we had loads of interest again,
and accepted an offer of the asking price within 2 days of going on the
market (and that's what it sold at).
David
Dave Plowman (News)
Doctor Drivel <Min...@nospam.com> wrote:
> "Dave Plowman (News)" <da...@davenoise.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:4e97a18...@davenoise.co.uk...
> > In article <45873d7c$0$97219$892e...@authen.yellow.readfreenews.net>,
> > Doctor Drivel <Min...@nospam.com> wrote:
> >> Boy you are a plantpot and really should eff off.
> > Those with a drink problem such as yours frequently won't admit it to
> > themselves, but their actions show it only too obviously to others.
> > Fortunately help can be had for this unfortunate illness.
> Boy you are a plantpot and really should eff off.
Constant repetition of the same phrase is another sign of brain damage
through drug addiction. I plead with you to seek help before it's too late.
--
*I don't know what your problem is, but I'll bet it's hard to pronounce
Owain
> The house is probably valued at £120,000 - £150,000 if in tip-top condition
> and with all modern features.
And how much is it worth in its current condition?
You have to consider the difference in value, the cost of the work, and
whether the resulting profit is worth it.
> The interior is the problem. The electrics are obviously old (fuse boxes),
> but there have been no problems
> that I am aware of. Rewiring may be necessary to aid selling but is this not
> required to be done by a qualified electrician? How expensive would that be?
Anyone is allowed to rewire; if you are not registered with a Part-P
organisation then you'd need to make a building regs application to the
council, in the same way as you would if you were replacing the windows
yourself. They will test and certify the wiring as part of the
application fee.
Most of the work of rewiring is labour in lifting floors etc (although
in a bungalow with a loft and a below-floor crawl space it can be much
easier) and in redecorating afterwards. The materials cost is quite a
small part, which is why it's likely to be profitable to diy it before sale.
> The house had electric central heating and most of the radiators are past
> it. Some storage heaters have been fitted.
Oh dear.
The biggest single improvement you can probably make would be gas
central heating, even if it means bringing gas in from the street.
Without wiring and heating being in order, any prospective purchaser
will be considering the work and inconvenience involved, and will view
the property as a fixer-upper - and will expect to pay a reduced price
accordingly.
> As mentioned, the bathroom suite
> is pink/peach, reasonably tidy. A shower in the bath needs replacement. The
> kitchen units do need replacing as the wall units are very shallow and full
> height which is rather stupid since you need a stool to reach the top ones.
That's quite nice as it avoids the dirt trap on the top of the units.
However, if the place has to be ripped apart to put in new wiring and a
heating system (of whatever sort) no point in doing anything with the
kitchen.
> The house is built on a raft with raised wooden floors. Is it worthwhile
> sanding and varnishing any of the rooms?
Only if the carpet's really manky and the hours of work of sanding,
varnishing, and cleaning the dust out of everything else is less than
the cost of cheap plain carpet.
Owain
Doctor Drivel
> In article <4587c9a7$0$97269$892e...@authen.yellow.readfreenews.net>,
> Doctor Drivel <Min...@nospam.com> wrote:
>
>> "Dave Plowman (News)" <da...@davenoise.co.uk> wrote in message
>> news:4e97a18...@davenoise.co.uk...
>> > In article <45873d7c$0$97219$892e...@authen.yellow.readfreenews.net>,
>> > Doctor Drivel <Min...@nospam.com> wrote:
>
>> >> Boy you are a plantpot and really should eff off.
>
>> > Those
>> Boy you are a plantpot and really should eff off.
>
> Constant
Boy you are a plantpot and really should eff off.
Andy Hall
Sigh.... the youth of today.
So there's no hope of DIY lasting beyond the current generation.....
I take your point though. Perhaps I was thinking wishfully.
john....@gmail.com
> >> >> Boy you are a plantpot and really should eff off.
> >
> >> > Those
>
> >> Boy you are a plantpot and really should eff off.
> >
> > Constant
>
> Boy you are a plantpot and really should eff off.
As a longtime lurker and occasional poster, I have to ask,
what drives you to make this sort of post?
Regards
John
john....@gmail.com
> Thanks for the many comments.
> Finding buyers for the house will be a problem.
> The house is probably valued at £120,000 - £150,000 if in tip-top condition
> and with all modern features.
As a matter of interest, roughly where is the house?
Apologies if I've missed the location, but surely it has a bearing not
only
on the sort of buyer but on their expectations?
Regards
John
Owain
> Sigh.... the youth of today.
> So there's no hope of DIY lasting beyond the current generation.....
Of course not; the youth of today want-it-all-done-for-them.
When I volunteered in a charity shop I suggested to one of the girl
students that she could mend a loose button on a jacket. The look she
gave me was as though I'd suggested reciting Milton in Swahili while
hanging from her navel piercing from a trapeze.
Owain
djc
> Finding buyers for the house will be a problem. As has been pointed out,
> first-time buyers will expect not
> to have to do too much work. Retired couples, which it might also suit,
> again would not want to do any work.
> It has two bedrooms and no garage, only parking space.
If the price is right it would be very attractive to a first time buyer.
Anyone buying it will almost certainly want to decorate to their taste
eventually. If it is done up cheaply it will not add value, the buyer
will factor in the need to redo it to their standard; if done to a
higher standard it is unlikely to be what the buyer really would like.
The important thing is that it is very clean and tidy; attractive to
someone prepared to put in work, who can see the potential of an empty
shell. Clear out everything, including garden. Present it as an
opportunity for refurbishment.
--
djc
Andy Hall
Perhaps she didn't like you checking her navel piercing....
Doctor Drivel
<john....@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1166568186.0...@i12g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
If you read what this plantpot write, you would want him to eff off. That
is simple.
Dave Plowman (News)
Doctor Drivel <Min...@nospam.com> wrote:
Talking of loony twitterings, I'm still waiting for that visit from the
police you promised me in one of your even more potty moments. I'm glad
the new medication has stabilised you - slightly.
--
*Too many clicks spoil the browse *
The Medway Handyman
> The house is probably valued at £120,000 - £150,000 if in tip-top
> condition and with all modern features.
> This is based on net searches of similar properties (£120,000 - 2003
> and £140,000 - 2005).
> Since I haven't the money to accomplish this I am trying my best with
> what I have.
You may not have the money, but finding it wouldn't be a problem with an
asset like that.
--
Dave
The Medway Handyman
www.medwayhandyman.co.uk
01634 717930
07850 597257
Anna Kettle
wrote:
>On 2006-12-19 14:41:45 +0000, Lobster <davidlobs...@hotmail.com> said:
>
>> Andy Hall wrote:
>>>
>>> I wouldn't necessarily assume that first time buyers wouldn't want to
>>> fix the place up.
>>
>> There are some that would, for sure, but these days I'm afraid the vast
>> majority of FTBs want somewhere in showroom condition that they can
>> move straight into,
>Sigh.... the youth of today.
>
>So there's no hope of DIY lasting beyond the current generation.....
Yebbut. The parents of a lot of todays buyers are not homeowners, or
weren't until maggie made it possible to buy their well maintained
council house. So they dont have a DIY friendly upbringing
Without that young buyers are sensible not to buy a place that needs
lots of work done. There is a lot of learning curve there, more than
you might think if you imbibed it with your mother's milk
Anna
--
~~ Anna Kettle, Suffolk, England
|""""| ~ Lime plaster repair and conservation
/ ^^ \ // Freehand modelling in lime: overmantels, pargeting etc
|____| www.kettlenet.co.uk 01359 230642
Andy Hall
> On Tue, 19 Dec 2006 22:13:44 +0000, Andy Hall <an...@hall.nospam>
> wrote:
>
>> On 2006-12-19 14:41:45 +0000, Lobster <davidlobs...@hotmail.com> said:
>>
>>> Andy Hall wrote:
>>>>
>>>> I wouldn't necessarily assume that first time buyers wouldn't want to
>>>> fix the place up.
>>>
>>> There are some that would, for sure, but these days I'm afraid the vast
>>> majority of FTBs want somewhere in showroom condition that they can
>>> move straight into,
>> Sigh.... the youth of today.
>>
>> So there's no hope of DIY lasting beyond the current generation.....
>
> Yebbut. The parents of a lot of todays buyers are not homeowners, or
> weren't until maggie made it possible to buy their well maintained
> council house. So they dont have a DIY friendly upbringing
Interesting point.
>
> Without that young buyers are sensible not to buy a place that needs
> lots of work done. There is a lot of learning curve there, more than
> you might think if you imbibed it with your mother's milk
I can see your point, but was just thinking about my own experience. My
parents always owned their own place and would tackle jobs like painting
and decorating but never anything more substantial such as wiring, plumbing
and let alone anything involving knocking walls down.
I hadn't really had that much exposure to doing any of these things for myself.
However, over a 5 year period after leaving university had bought a house that
although livable in, had been bodged. It needed proper roof repair, a
certain amount
of timber replacement, rewiring and installation of central heating,
then of course, redecorating.
I did all of these things apart from the roof work over the course of
about a year not on
a continuous basis. Heating and wiring designs were properly planned
out using
design rules and wiring regulations and so forth.
In financial terms, the investment in materials and outsourced labour
was approximately a third
of the initial cost of the house (although there was a good price on
that), but it sold
after a further three years at nearly three times the original price.
Only part of that
was as a result of the general rise in prices.
On the other hand, my kids have seen a environment where things are
generally done
by me, and better than bringing in professionals (my main motivation these days
rather than cost); yet they are much more of the ilk of expecting
things to be done
for them.
Perhaps the original observation was right after all. I blame it on TV
and the internet.
The Natural Philosopher
> Steve Smith wrote:
>
>> Finding buyers for the house will be a problem. As has been pointed
>> out, first-time buyers will expect not
>> to have to do too much work. Retired couples, which it might also
>> suit, again would not want to do any work.
>> It has two bedrooms and no garage, only parking space.
>
> If the price is right it would be very attractive to a first time buyer.
> Anyone buying it will almost certainly want to decorate to their taste
> eventually. If it is done up cheaply it will not add value, the buyer
> will factor in the need to redo it to their standard; if done to a
> higher standard it is unlikely to be what the buyer really would like.
It doesn't affect the value, but it does affect teh saleability.
When yoiu move house, it is a HUGE upheaval. When its you FIRST house
chjances are you are working night and day anmd living in a crummy
rented load of crap/.
The attarction is a house hat, although not to your taste, is SOMETHING
YOU CAN MOVE INTO IMMEDIATELY is beyond price really.
The more expensive the house, the less this matters.
People later on in life with more capital will be buying not 'what they
can just afford' but 'what they want' and will like as not spend a month
or three fixing it up to make it inhabitable to their taste.
>
> The important thing is that it is very clean and tidy; attractive to
> someone prepared to put in work, who can see the potential of an empty
> shell. Clear out everything, including garden. Present it as an
> opportunity for refurbishment.
>
Not at the bottom end of the market..not even halfway up.
I bought this house at rock bottom prices..it was shabby, had damp
problems, but was huge with a huge garden and dirt cheap. it took me
about 8 years to save up to refurb it..in the end I rebuilt it
completely - yes, underneath it WAS that bad..and was living in crap
rented for a year and a half while I did it.
The house had been on the market over a year when I bought it..for 135
grand. Today after about 600k spend its worth well over a million.
I couldn't afford the time or money to refurb it immediately..it was
livable in from word go, and I spent bugger all on it knowing that in
due course it would get the full treatment.
It was on the market for a year at 160 grand, before I negotiated the
price down..no one wanted it. Frankly as a building plot it was worth
what I paid for it..
>
Dave Plowman (News)
Anna Kettle <Tansy...@freeukisp.co.uk> wrote:
> >So there's no hope of DIY lasting beyond the current generation.....
> Yebbut. The parents of a lot of todays buyers are not homeowners, or
> weren't until maggie made it possible to buy their well maintained
> council house. So they dont have a DIY friendly upbringing
My father, despite being a technical sort of bloke never lifted a hand
round the house. Except for the gardening. Everything else was done by
tradesmen. I remember my mother scraping wallpaper off once before the
decorator arrived. Some domestic dispute about whether the room needed
doing or not. After that it certainly did.
> Without that young buyers are sensible not to buy a place that needs
> lots of work done. There is a lot of learning curve there, more than
> you might think if you imbibed it with your mother's milk.
Surely it's more a case of if they are willing to accept someone other's
taste?
I accept that many won't or can't DIY but they're in a minority - hence
the popularity of groups like this and all the makeover progs on TV.
--
*It IS as bad as you think, and they ARE out to get you.
The Natural Philosopher
>
> I accept that many won't or can't DIY but they're in a minority - hence
> the popularity of groups like this and all the makeover progs on TV.
>
Total no sequitur, Dave.
Millions of people WATCH formula 1 motor racing and chatter all about it
on the Internet, without ever even climbing in a go kart or picking up a
spanner.
My wife LOVES grand designs..I must say it juts depresses me these days
'what stupid idea will she insist that I implement NOW?" is the general
thought that goes through my head.
I've had more rows of the 'no it ISN'T a simple job to put two screws in
to carry a 12kg mirror on a plasterboard wall' ..'No it is NOT a quick
job to strip, fill, sand, and paint this horrible piece of pine crap
that was 'such a bargain' at the auction..' 'no it is not a simple job
to mode the toilet to the other side of the bathroom, I have to take up
a block and beam floor, get a digger in the bathroom, and replace
EVERYTHING'.
Most people are totally incapable of doing DIY, and haven't the faintest
clue how to go about it. They bodge, or 'get a man in' and he bodges for
them..No one trains anyone for manual labour these days. It's infra dig.
Andy Hall
> Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
>
>>
>> I accept that many won't or can't DIY but they're in a minority - hence
>> the popularity of groups like this and all the makeover progs on TV.
>>
>
> Total no sequitur, Dave.
>
> Millions of people WATCH formula 1 motor racing and chatter all about
> it on the Internet, without ever even climbing in a go kart or picking
> up a spanner.
>
> My wife LOVES grand designs.
Perhaps the TV could break.....
Most of these programmes are complete rubbish, and the thought of that
Sarah whatever-her-name-is gives me the shUdders.
> .I must say it juts depresses me these days 'what stupid idea will she
> insist that I implement NOW?" is the general thought that goes through
> my head.
It's like children really - find a diversion.
>
> I've had more rows of the 'no it ISN'T a simple job to put two screws
> in to carry a 12kg mirror on a plasterboard wall' ..'No it is NOT a
> quick job to strip, fill, sand, and paint this horrible piece of pine
> crap that was 'such a bargain' at the auction..' 'no it is not a simple
> job to mode the toilet to the other side of the bathroom, I have to
> take up a block and beam floor, get a digger in the bathroom, and
> replace EVERYTHING'.
It's this one plus the implied pressure of 'if you can't do it within
the next millisecond, we'll have to get a man in'.
>
> Most people are totally incapable of doing DIY, and haven't the
> faintest clue how to go about it. They bodge, or 'get a man in' and he
> bodges for them..
One sees them in DIY sheds at the weekends wandering about aimlessly
and pushing small children round in push chairs.
> No one trains anyone for manual labour these days. It's infra dig.
So true.
Dave Plowman (News)
The Natural Philosopher <a@b.c> wrote:
> > I accept that many won't or can't DIY but they're in a minority - hence
> > the popularity of groups like this and all the makeover progs on TV.
> >
> Total no sequitur, Dave.
> Millions of people WATCH formula 1 motor racing and chatter all about it
> on the Internet, without ever even climbing in a go kart or picking up a
> spanner.
That's a sport. Same as the multitudes that watch footie. It's
entertainment. DIY is rather different.
I can, of course, only speak for those I know as friends and workmates.
Can't really think of anyone who never does any DIY.
--
*How can I miss you if you won't go away?
Doctor Drivel
> In article <45888306$0$97225$892e...@authen.yellow.readfreenews.net>,
> Doctor Drivel <Min...@nospam.com> wrote:
>
>> <john....@gmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:1166568186.0...@i12g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>> > Doctor Drivel wrote:
>> >> >> >> Boy you are a plantpot and really should eff off.
>> >> >
>> >> >> > Those
>> >>
>> >> >> Boy you are a plantpot and really should eff off.
>> >> >
>> >> > Constant
>> >>
>> >> Boy you are a plantpot and really should eff off.
>> >
>> > As a longtime lurker and occasional poster, I have to ask,
>> > what drives you to make this sort of post?
>
>> would want him to eff off. That is simple.
>
> Talking
Boy you are a plantpot and really should eff off.
Owain
>> ... reciting Milton in Swahili while
Those pricetag guns can be vicious...
Owain
Owain
> I accept that many won't or can't DIY but they're in a minority - hence
> the popularity of groups like this and all the makeover progs on TV.
But the makeover progs do tend more towards the get-a-little-man-in and
arrange some fluffy cushions afterwards.
Owain
ARWadsworth
"Andy Hall" <an...@hall.nospam> wrote in message
news:4588...@nt1.hall.gl...
One of my best childhood memories was spending the summer holidays building
an extension with my Dad.
Adam
Andy Hall
<adamwa...@blueyonder.co.uk> said:
Definitely. But at a certain age, they enter a stage of metamorphosis
when they will never
know so much again, speak in grunts and occasionally get out of bed
before lunch.
By that time, half the day's gone and it really wasn't worth
negotiating for assistance.
ARWadsworth
"Andy Hall" <an...@hall.nospam> wrote in message
Fair enough. I was only 12 when I did the extension with my Dad. A year
later and he would have had no chance :)
Adam
The Medway Handyman
>
> I accept that many won't or can't DIY but they're in a minority -
> hence the popularity of groups like this and all the makeover progs
> on TV.
I thought that prior to starting this handyman malarky. It's simply never
occurred to me to get someone in as a first resort. I'm constantly
surprised at (and thankful for) the number of people who won't or can't DIY.
I think it's largely a question of confidence, or lack of it.
Owain
> Did you not get the kids to help?
> One of my best childhood memories was spending the summer holidays
> building an extension with my Dad.
When I was small I used to be told that sitting quietly on the end of
the workbench would stop it wobbling and so I was helping.
The lies that parents tell ...
Owain
Richard Conway
I remember when my parents did theirs - I was too young to be of much
use and although my brother was past the point of which you speak I had
to look on in envy as he got to help with all the 'exciting' jobs.
When the roof went on he got to go up and help and I kept making it to
the top of that ladder and then being sent back down again.
ARWadsworth
"Owain" <owain...@stirlingcity.coo.uk> wrote in message
news:116665932...@iris.uk.clara.net...
Santa for one. If you had not sat on the workbench he would not have come.
Adam
Owain
>> The lies that parents tell ...
> Santa for one. If you had not sat on the workbench he would not have come.
I now tell small children that, when they're not packaging presents,
Santa's elves work in the CCTV control room and that's how they know
who's been good or not.
Owain