[senior citizen]

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[Quixote]

Originally Posted by KathyW

Housing is our area is pretty "hot". We sold our home without an agent and without listing through word of mouth. The local elementary school is a big plus here. We did not fix up anything and sold "as is" for less money. All the younger families told us that they want to fix up the house the way they want, and not what we thought they would like. Location was the big factor in us selling! I would imagine everything depends on your area.

Housing in my region was generally not "pretty hot." However, in the immediate location the school district was a huge plus, along with a big nearby college and what's known as "the million dollar view." I chose to do the same thing as KathyW: I "did not fix up anything and sold 'as is' for less money." I had no mortgage, nor do I have a mortgage on my home in TV, so I had no desire to look for "big bucks" as I just didn't need it.

I had bought the house forever ago for what was an appropriate price way back then (a ridiculous price today!), and other than house systems like heating, roof, siding, etc. I did minimal upgrading over the years because it just didn't seem important enough (everyone has different values). This way the new owner can build value through "sweat equity" AND have a home that looks like the buyer's rather than the seller's. Did I make a mistake in selling a "project of a house" for less money (which was also the condition when I bought it)? Maybe. But do I care? Not particularly....

[Yucatan2]

Hi senior citizen,

We are in a similar situation. Live on the outskirts of town, 3.5 beautiful wooded acres, 1954 home totally hardwood floors and big rooms. We had an offer on our house this winter, but in March the buyer's financing fell through. In the meantime we purchased our home in The Villages, but our Virginia home is still for sale. It's also a small town area, manufacturing dried up, not a lot of jobs. More and more homes keep showing up on the market; more competition. I really do hope we get another offer soon!

Best of luck selling your Vermont home, it sounds very lovely. With luck, the right person will come along, for both of us!

[Bonnevie]

am also in the process....my house is 40 years old and while I have upgraded, it's not with the big four.

however, my realtor didn't suggest doing a lot of upgrades as she said the buyer may not like them.

case in point, my neighbor completely redid their bathroom prior to selling. got a great price. one day I'm walking the dogs and I see a tile saw outside the house. seems the new owner ripped out the newly renovated bathroom because the needed wheelchair height cabinets.

so, you never know. I bought a resale and so am glad I won't be ripping out new carpeting when I redo the floors because as others have said, I don't like carpeting in florida.

[asianthree]

we will not put our up north home for sale for four years..have a to do list before we sell for doing one thing at a time

[gustavo]

Originally Posted by senior citizen

A question for all of you who have "been there and done that" as far as preparing your larger family home up north, such as eliminating clutter, downsizing closet content, etc.......prior to listing for sale in order to relocate to The Villages, Florida............:

How many totally recarpeted in order to "update" 15 year old carpeting, just for potential buyers.....such as in a neutral color?

Or, how many opted to not go through all of the hassle....and just offered a "carpeting allowance" to the potential buyer????

I had thought of putting in laminate wood floors as that's what the younger crowd seem to prefer over carpeting........for numerous reasons...

However, that would be even more labor intensive and more expensive.

We had a free in home carpeting specialist come to our house yesterday to help me pin down the nuetrals I had already made up my mind on.....and seeing the actually furniture colors...........this is a huge tri level.....with lots of heavy furniture and two stairwells......huge foyer and upstairs hallway, 8 closets to carpet..............

I could see hubby burning a fuse at the per square foot cost, plus the installation cost, plus the padding.............but the wood or laminates would be even more cost and more time consuming.....

I feel like just selling as is........it is a beautiful home. Huge property.
Just been watching too many of those decorating shows.
The younger folks are too fussy.

When we bought all of our homes in the past, it was a "no brainer" that you weren't buying someone's furniture or color scheme......and that you would "make it your own"............but times have changed.

Any opinions would be helpful. I plan to put in wood floors in the home we buy in The Villages.......if not already in them............but carpeting would be easier here.........as there are tons of heavy furniture to find a place for when whatever flooring is going down............

At our age now, not looking forward to everything on end all over the place..........some of it could go out on the new screened in 3 season porch...........young friends of ours said also that the furniture could go out into a "pod"........what have you all done?????

We have a two week famly vacation in Maine upcoming........so everything has to be done before and after..........

Gracie, I saw the photos of your newest house; your wood floors are gorgeous. I'm tired of washing tile........even with my Shark steamer and my new "mint" robot........wood is really beautiful...or laminate.

THANKS IN ADVANCE. All opinions welcomed.

Sell your house as-is. No hassle, you get what it's worth. Of course the realtor will tell you to invest 30-50k in upgrades of which you will recoup no more than 80% gross and additionally loose another 6% to the realtor commision. Stop watching HGTV.

[ssmith]

...it may also depend on the area you live in and the type of buyer who may buy your house. ie if everyone in the neighborhood has granite etc then perhaps you should do granite or be willing to sell at a lower price.

I live in a freestanding Villa in the North and most likely my buyer will not be a younger person.

When we did some upgrades we kept in mind what we liked but also who the next buyer would likely be.

[njbchbum]

am contemplating selling our house at some time in the future and thinking of an ad something like this:

for sale, 3 br/2ba mini seashore victorian. not an hgtv home. no open floor concept. please do not schedule a preview if looking for that. flooring allowance. one mile from beach and walking distance to middle/high schools

another alternative ad would be: half acre lot for sale - one mile from beach and within walking distance to middle.high schools. throwing in house for same price.

[Buckeyephan]

I agree that I wouldn't have done major upgrades. It's very risky to guess what a buyer will want. Although ours likes the new carpet, she is going to take out the dining room part of the great room and match the hardwood to the kitchen and entry. Young grandchildren who are messy eaters. She's moving that carpet to the basement. Our carpet was 15 years old as were the appliances so they were past their expiration date. They would have been a huge negative to buyers. The big remodels were done 5 years ago and we have thoroughly enjoyed them. My sister faces a different dilemma. She is a very heavy smoker and her house reeks. The old carpet covers hardwood, the wallpaper is striped and she will have to sell it as a fixer-upper. Frankly, I wouldn't even walk through the front door if I smelled it. She will have to find just the right buyer or take a hugely discounted price. Everyone has to weigh the choices.

[senior citizen]

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[asianthree]

Kids are coming next month to get the basement empty of hoarding over 20plus years...what to sell, what to donate, what to dumpster and what to pack for TV..it should be interesting

[senior citizen]

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[senior citizen]

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[Bonnevie]

and unfortunately, buyers may not realize what's really more important....I may not have granite but I have hurricane coverings for all my windows, a new roof, and a hurricane rated garage door....living near the coast this gives substantial home insurance discounts....but buyers want a pool....and I don't have one....
and again, everyone I know who has a pool, after a few years wishes they didn't have one....

[senior citizen]

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