Would you spend money to sell your house?

[irvinehomeowner]

We are considering listing our house but are wondering if we should install countertops and maybe do some upgrades in the master bath.

In return on money, seems like kitchen and master bath is where you get the most bang for the buck.

Would you put in $5-10k if you're selling anyways?

It's not just about getting a good sell price, it's also about selling faster... but in this low inventory market, maybe that's not a concern.

Our house isn't in the best location (although a good neighborhood) so maybe some upgrades might help (we're thinking granite/quartz counters in the kitchen, painting the maple cabinets white and upgrading shower/counters in the master bath).

 

[cowlemon]

Go for gold and make it look like http://www.redfin.com/CA/Irvine/63-Regal-92620/home/7210750.

 

[panda]

IHO,
At the minimum, I would spend $3000 on new paint and spend the money to stage the home. You want to try your best to make your home show like a model home.
So what are your  plans after you sell? Rent again or try to buy a bigger home in Irvine? 

If I were in your shoes and an FCB offered me more than my listing price for your Irvine rental, I would take the money, pack your family in your minivan, and drive 200 miles per hour towards your friend in Peachtree City. I would then buy myself a nice new 4000 sq/ft 3CWG with a golf course view and with the money left over, I would try to start a business. You will no longer have to worry about your home being built on toxic soil, landfill, prison nearby, portola fires, expansion of low income housing which is just beginning in my opinion. None of these conditions exist in Peachtree City. Your OC friend who moved there is a smart friend.

I'm just sayin man, "A happy wife = A happy life"  8)  and no wife is happy moving back into a rental.

I forgot.. one more thing... Have this TIC video playing on your 50" TV every time a prospective buyers sees your home because you want maximize your chances to juice the last asian sucker.  >

[youtube]mJ-3mhRvT-s[/youtube]

[youtube]-J5ZVSIs6Yk[/youtube]

IHO, you play this DVD at your house when a buyer walks in... "IT IS GAME OVER, GROVER!"

 

[cowlemon]

IHO,
At the minimum, I would spend $3000 on new paint and spend the money to stage the home. You want to try your best to make your home show like a model home.
So what are your  plans after you sell? Rent again or try to buy a bigger home in Irvine? 

If I were in your shoes and an FCB offered me more than my listing price for your Irvine rental, I would take the money, pack your family in your minivan, and drive 200 miles per hour towards your friend in Peachtree City. I would then buy myself a nice new 4000 sq/ft 3CWG with a golf course view and with the money left over, I would try to start a business. You will no longer have to worry about your home being built on toxic soil, landfill, prison nearby, portola fires, expansion of low income housing which is just beginning in my opinion. None of these conditions exist in Peachtree City. Your OC friend who moved there is a smart friend.

I'm just sayin man, "A happy wife = A happy life"  8)  and no wife is happy moving back into a rental.

I forgot.. one more thing... Have this TIC video playing on your 50" TV every time a prospective buyers sees your home because you want maximize your chances to juice the last asian sucker.  >

[youtube]mJ-3mhRvT-s[/youtube]

[youtube]-J5ZVSIs6Yk[/youtube]

IHO, you play this DVD at your house when a buyer walks in... "IT IS GAME OVER, GROVER!"

Can you send me a copy of that dvd? 

 

[bones]

I think it really depends on what kind of shape your kitchen and bathrooms are in.  I know when we look at older homes, the first think we look at (other than location and price of course) is whether we would need to spend to upgrade the kitchen and bathrooms.  Also depends on how fast you can get it done since this little bubble we're in may burst soon.

 

[irvinehomeowner]

The kitchen and bath is the original white square tiles. The appliances are white but are in good shape and I figure if we finish the cabinets in white, they won't look as dated. I don't think I want to buy all new appliances just to sell the home.

We've already painted, put in 20" tiles and upgraded carpet when we moved back in a few years ago... so I think it makes the kitchen/bathroom look even more "classic".

 

[irvinehomeowner]

@Panda: I would not like the weather in Peachtree.

OC is my home... too much family/friends here.

 

[ps99472]

Get rid of the white tile counters in the kitchen.. do the baths if it's in your budget.. paint, clean, and stage is the best bang for the buck..

Focus on the kitchen if nothing else.. remember to buy a wok (if you don't have one already) and put it on the stove (hopefully it's gas) with a fire ring.  Don't worry about the dishwasher, just make sure it doesn't smell (most FCBs don't know or are intimidated by dishwashers).  It's a $400 dish drying rack.  Fridge/oven/micro is a different story.. maybe look for a decent used SS at outlet or any floor/clearance models at HD/Lowes?

So where would you live?  Did you find a place? 

 

[changm55]

lol!! where can i get a copy of that DVD??? hahaha so much to make fun of lol

i so want to watch too hahahaha

 

[irvinehomeowner]

So where would you live?

Irvine.

Did you find a place? 

Nope, not even close. But I'm considering doing the upgrades now so that we can "use" them for a while so we don't feel it's a total throw away.

Maybe we'll rent somewhere until this new bubble calms down... really crazy right now. I've always said that prices go up faster than they go down... but months vs. years is insane.

 

[irvinehomeshopper]

Leave everything as is. Put several LV and Hermes shopping bags in the closet. Your home is miraculously transformed into a FCB magnet.

If you don't have any then go to SCP and buy the cheapest thing and ask for the biggest bags. The stores won't sell just the paper bags because of frauds on Ebay.

 

[bones]

I would consider just doing the kitchen countertops.  Appliances are up to you.  Then paint clean and stage.  And get someone competent to take the pictures for you.

I would tell you to add a chanel bag, but the cheapest thing in that store could buy you all new appliances.

 

[jamboreedude]

I would tell you to add a chanel bag, but the cheapest thing in that store could buy you all new appliances.

You can borrow my wife's Chanel bag. You better not lose it though! I am a litigant.

 

[irvinehomeshopper]

Sell it as is and offer an allowance for the buyers to pick something he likes rather than you spend the money for something they may rip out. To negotiate around a Chanel shopping bag is easy. Buy anything and return it within 7 days and keep the shopping bag. Do the same for LV and Hermes. Save the bags after open house and carry all three shopping bags around SCP stuffed with decoy tissue if you want attentive service.

 

[villiagepeople]

1) fix (anything broken)
2) paint (neutral up to date colors)
3) clean/de-clutter
4) stage

that's all i'd do.. no upgrades or remodels.

 

[usctrojancpa]

1) fix (anything broken)
2) paint (neutral up to date colors)
3) clean/de-clutter
4) stage

that's all i'd do.. no upgrades or remodels.

and 5) make sure your home is spotless clean (including getting the windows washed).

 

[cowlemon]

1) fix (anything broken)
2) paint (neutral up to date colors)
3) clean/de-clutter
4) stage

that's all i'd do.. no upgrades or remodels.

and 5) make sure your home is spotless clean (including getting the windows washed).

I think 5 is the most important.  If junk is laying around, it automatically makes me wonder how well they maintained the place.

 

[nosuchreality]

1) fix (anything broken)
2) paint (neutral up to date colors)
3) clean/de-clutter
4) stage

that's all i'd do.. no upgrades or remodels.

Only thing I would change is breaking out de-clutter as it's own item. Literally, put your stuff in storage, at least half of it.

 

[irvinehomeowner]

When we sold our last home, we did declutter and stage.

We put half our furniture in our garage and kept the nicer pieces in the house (the buyer wanted to buy some of our furniture).

As a buyer'looker, I hate seeing white tile in the kitchen and baths so it's the one thing I would consider doing.

Also, because the L-island has a mini-counter, I would like to take that down so it's one level surface, it would make the island look bigger and also open up the kitchen more and provide additional "bar" seating.

 

[quattroporte]

A little off topic, but if IHO and others on this board are thinking of selling their homes, is this indicative of a impending market peak/mini-bubble burst? A couple of my friends are listing their homes to cash in on this buying frenzy as well. They think the prices are going to come down.