Posts tagged Prep to sell

A recent email with a pretty common dilemma.

Ben- I was given your name from a friend, Bridget N.. I was wondering if you could answer a question for me? We are putting our house on the market in 1-2 years. This summer we are going to update our bathroom. Our biggest question right now is…..ceramic tile or linoleum? I know that ceramic tile is an upgrade, but is it going to make that much of a difference in the resale value of our house if we go ceramic tile vs. linoleum? Our house is under 1,100 square feet, definitely a starter home. Someone else also pointed out that our kitchen is currently linoleum so maybe we do want to stick with linoleum? I know there is no reason for you to be giving me advice, but would greatly appreciate it. Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule!
Kristine

My Reply: Kristine,

That’s a tough one. Installing ceramic in lieu of vinyl will not add
a specific dollar amount to the value of your home. That being said,
it will and can make an impression. If a buyer sees 3 homes and 2
have vinyl and one had ceramic, it is possible that the ceramic along
with other features could elevate your home and give the perception of
quality finishes and fixtures.

That being said, a fresh new, well maintained home also adds an
intangible value. in 1-2 years one would hope that both tile and
vinyl will look fresh and newer. 4-5 years and the ceramic will win
assuming that caulk and grout are kept clean. ( I looked up where you
live) Your home is of a certain age that new tile could help
modernize more than vinyl and approaching 200k in value ceramic is as
much an upgrade as it is expected.

If the bathroom is not off the kitchen, then I would not worry about
not matching finishes. I should add this thought too. I tend to do
most of my own tile work so I always go tile.

I hope that helps. If the market is as tight in 1-2 years as it is
today you will want every bit of leverage you can get. When there are
more houses than buyers it becomes a beauty contest.

I hope that helps. I sell homes as well as pontificate on them, so
feel free to drop a line come those 1-2 years.

Ben

What would you have said?

So I get around a bit, not so much it is a bad thing but I have been in a few houses.  When you visit a home unknown to you, you have certain expectations.  You walk into a dark room and look to the left and right inside the door for a switch, no switch you look for a lamp, no lamp a draw string.  Another expectation might be that if you find a switch, and you switch it, something will happen.  If nothing happens I, and maybe the buyer I am with, will suspect something is wrong.  I will think that there is a dawn to dusk sensor or there is a bulb burned out, or the fixture is around a corner or outside, maybe just maybe a bad switch, but my buyer thinks there is an electrical problem. My god, who would buy a house with an electrical problem?

When you create your prep-to-sell list of to-do items, make sure you take an inventory of your switches and see that when you switch them, something happens.  If nothing happens, fix it, plug something in so something does happen or leave a note as to why nothing happens (exterior fixture, garage light etc.)

While I have your ear, replace all of your older but grounded two prong outlets with three prong.  That, to some cries $2.50 and 10 minutes, to others it cries “electrical problem.” and who buys a house with electrical problems.