STOP Wasting Money On RENOVATION Mistakes

[@blujeans9462]

Great advice! I found something else that was an eye-opener for me. Many years ago we wallpapered the upstairs bathroom. It had a neutral pale blue print - and while not 'trendy', it did fit the look of this 100 year old house - with period architecture, including beadboard wainscoting in that bathroom. I dreaded the thought of removing the wallpaper and although dated, the condition looked good - so I hoped the buyers would overlook the one wallpapered room. :-) However, because it was an upstairs bathroom the only time I really looked at it was first thing in the morning and before bed. Just weeks before I felt I was ready to list, I went in that bathroom during the middle of the day. The sunlight during that time really exposed the condition of the wallpaper and how incredibly dingy it looked. I was totally surprised! With the rest of the house looking clean and freshly painted within the last two years, that bathroom looked so out of place. Of course, we pulled the wallpaper, patched, painted - pulled all the old cabinets and replaced with a large mirror and a new cabinet. Looked fabulous since we had already replaced the dated fixtures and replaced the tub surround about 3 years prior. And guess what - with a little bit of checking out videos on removing wallpaper we found a method that made it a breeze - should have done it years ago! :-)

[@blujeans9462]

@@mettamorph4523 Not gloating - just assuming everyone knows about it. Because everyone that I have told this story to said: 'yes, using fabric softener works great". Doesn't take long to find a video that explains exactly how to do it. My comment was primarily to let folks know that taking a look at your rooms under different lighting conditions can reveal a lot - that's all - wasn't a comment on 'how to remove wallpaper'.

[@mettamorph4523]

@@blujeans9462 gotcha. I was wrong. It's great when folks pass along good tips but certainly isn't a requirement. So much bogus advice out there.

[@sherlhoeppner2392]

Im an artist and love home design/ decorating. I also love color! I never go neutral to please anyone! My last house sold in ONE day and I made 57k profit off the 2 year investment. I will say i painted nearly every room in the house(all off white)using colors like french blue, forest green and a medium green. Ireplaced all the off white carpet with a 3-4 toned luxery vinyl and short pile carpet in the bedrooms (a beige blend). Removed 1990 wallpaper inmaster bath and went pure white. I did keep wallpaper in the kitchen and guest bathe because it was very charming and in good condition--plus, wallpaper is trending now!! I left the brand new fridge and washer/dryer and of course cleaned the house top to bottom. I spent 300 dollars on planting flowers in the front beds for added curb appeal. I did not update the kitchen counters-- forest green but in excellent condition-- i figured the new owner could pick exactly what they wanted if they wanted the upgrade! Granted, I worked like a dog(I'm retired) for 9 straight months-- so yes-- it is important to CONTINUALLY clean, paint, organize and declutter!! I also built a nice dogrun in the back yard down the entire fenceline. The roof was new when i bought it, so I replaced the furnace which was a big plus. If you dont have good taste, nice furnishings or a flair for decorating, I highly recommend sellers remove everything and have the rooms staged--the house will look better, feel better and sell faster!!❤

[@lisas2538]

My parent lived in their last home 55 years. Before I put it on the market I got rid of all personal items. Closets were emptied. My husband and I took off all the wallpaper ourselves and painted a neutral color. I got all new curtains. Put down new carpet. Got new headboards for all the beds. Took out bigger heavier furniture. All these things cost me, however I wasn’t trying to make a huge profit I was trying to sell it. The house was 4 bedroom, two bath, well built, well constructed home. 2008 sq ft. The buyer had it inspected and no one asked me to fix anything or tried to negotiate because of the inspection. So it assumed everything was at least okay. I put a lot of time and work into the house and it looked beautiful and paid off. Another thing I think really helped. The realtor took beautiful pictures herself. She has a Masters in marketing.

[@misterogers9423]

A buyer asking for nothing from a home lived in by the last owner for 55 years is impressive. A good relator is also very important as you proved. Resist temptation to use an inexperienced friend, family member, or acquaintance. I think new carpet is fine is if it is typical for the area, but if the area has higher or lower quality flooring, I would try to match that.

[@jimagent1826]

We replaced the roof, carpet, and sump pump. We will paint the house and replace the water heater. Probably put it up next year. Working on decluttering.

[@lori7426]

Thanks!

[@KatiSpaniak]

Thanks so much!

[@dolorescordell129]

In watching a lot of home sale videos, I am absolutely astonished at how people think that buyers can "see through" their clutter, trash, mess, dirt and deferred maintenance. The place looks like a hot mess but the sellers seem to thing potential buyers won't notice? My rule: Buyers have NO imagination. Why would anyone think that someone would pay you a lot of money for a place that look like the city dump?

[@mettamorph4523]

On the flip side, buyers can bid low due to clutter and snap up a bargain.

[@dolorescordell129]

@@mettamorph4523 True - but often the sellers are so clueless they stick to their silly pricing! None so blind as those who do not wish to see, eh? :)

[@cherylanon5791]

and then there's the homes where they slapped pale greige paint onto every surface, except the trim where they put white. And every room has a huge "...oh Hello..." sign or some other dumb saying. And some really trendy (read: cheap) other decor. Meanwhile the roof is 20 years old, the school district is terrible, the nearest grocery store is over 30 mins away, and there's only a 1 car garage with a different type of siding (don't ask about the roof). Yes, buyers have no imagination!

[@margaretrice5169]

This video is exactly for me! Especially the percentage $ to consider investing in preparing a property to sell. Thank you! Very helpful info.

[@timward3116]

There's a small thing that I hadn't consciously noticed when I was buying my place - but I am sure it registered subconsciously and if I hadn't been in a chaotic rush to find a place, I might have passed my place up. What is it? Dingy doors, plantation shutters, and baseboards. The walls were okay, but there was a tiredness about the place that was hard to put my finger on. After buying, I painted baseboards and doors room-by-room as time permitted. I could not believe the difference that fresh white paint made! Made the whole place look three decades newer.

[@KatiSpaniak]

Trim paint is huge!

[@timward3116]

@@KatiSpaniak And although time consuming if you do it yourself, the cost of the paint is almost nothing compared to what it does to the room!

[@cherylanon5791]

@@KatiSpaniak personally I have spent so much of my life on hands & knees, touching up baseboard, window & other painted woodwork, that I think it should be illegal (just kidding) but really, painting perfectly good woodwork (REAL wood) seems like instant gratification, no thought to the upkeep! When you mop a floor, every swish of the mop goes onto the baseboard and weakens the paint. After 5 years of this, you need to repaint the trim! Ditto for window sashing in cold climates which have several months of condensation (Dec, Jan, Feb, March) it's impossible to wipe it all down adequately enough, and the paint over the nice woodwork inevitably loosens and flakes off, looks like a mess, because it is. Regular real wood--does need the wipe down of condensation, but not re-painting. Our windows from 1960's home still have great, real wood trim everywhere, and only above kitchen sink has it needed to be re-finished. I shudder to think what white paint would be like, just a nightmare. But....if it will sell our house? Should I go ahead? Not a good moral choice, imho.

[@lanialost1320]

The Investment Matrix you've added to your Seller's Playbook is superb! Just when I though your previous SP's info, advice & tips can't be beat, you add another level of excellence to it. Thanks so much Kati for providing this wonderful publication gratis.

[@KatiSpaniak]

Thank you so much!!

[@showdogmissy]

A grubby doorbell is a huge turn off. Cleaning should start there ;)

[@lizzieb6311]

Am I the only one who noticed the rifle next to the toilet? 😂 As always, great tips that I need as an individual preparing to sell my home after owning it for 24 years. Thank you!

[@KatiSpaniak]

Haha! I did not!

[@tammyrussell-rice5508]

I saw it! I was so shocked, I played back the video to confirm what I saw in that corner. Obviously, this owner did not want to get caught with his pants down. 😂

[@lizzieb6311]

@@tammyrussell-rice5508 Bahahaha! Good one! 😂😂😂

[@EM-yn1wd]

The gun next to the toilet - I would have never thought of that - Thanks for the tip.

[@PinkPeony-je4vf]

That’s a toilet brush. I remember when they came out many years ago. 😂😂😂

[@katethegardener]

I'm over 60 and my house is very nice. I am always updating and decorating tastefully and very up on trends. When I sold my last home they asked me to write a decorating blog. So I find it offensive for you to think that people over 60 are basically out of touch and old fogies!!! My last house sold on day sign went up with multiple offers over asking.

[@tinapaez7086]

You are an exception not the rule lady! Lighten up!

[@tammyrussell-rice5508]

For most homebuyers, once the honeymoon period is over, they cease to renovate and decorate. Life gets in the way...

[@cecedubois5147]

I agree. I'm an interior designer in my seventies, and my clients are many and young. There are more of us than this woman thinks!

[@misterogers9423]

I think it depends somewhat on the style of the house. I feel that younger people don't know how to update more classic Victorian, bungalow, or ranch houses, but those industrial modern monstrosities or chopped up box houses that did not exist 10 years ago may be easier for them. Young people also tend to over personalize. Staging a house ultra modern, industrial, quirky or maximalism is high risk. Older people accel at the safer staging, which is almost always recommended with a few odd exceptions. I do think the exterior of the house should somewhat be considered to the interior design and I see this ignored.

[@allalala9916]

You are the exceptions, not the rule. When I look at the listings in my area no one has a nice looking home except for the new builds. I am talking cluttered, dirty, damaged interiors, yards unkept, no curb appeal. .... My parents too have a really nice home( in their 70s) but their garage needs a major declutter.

[@patralink]

I am always shocked by how many (or even most) people live in their homes. The filth and clutter would drive me nuts. When I walk by one of these homes and the garage door is up it is a nightmare of the highest order and I think what must the inside look like...

[@willsx2]

I agree that it amazes me that Katie has to tell people to clean their homes 😲. That being said, I wouldn't judge too harshly by the garage. My parents house is immaculate inside, however, they are beginning to think about downsizing and decluttering. The garage looks like a hot mess because it is acting as a staging area with lots of boxes, packing supplies and items waiting for determination of whether family members want it or it should go to donation or consignment or whatever

[@virginiarudzinskas4576]

Great video! Thank you.

[@ronvance1958]

Is it better to replace the carpet or offer a flooring allowance?

[@amanacatandhisdog8836]

Great video. My mom is needing to sell. Just a reminder. I had a great real estate agent who did me right when I bought a home. I recommended to my mom to at least interview w her. My realtor did me right so when I can I recommend her.

[@RG-hf4et]

Can you do a video on how to handle selling your home to a sibling?

[@KatiSpaniak]

Good idea!

[@rw9019]

What program or app did you use for your virtual staging?

[@PB-ij3fw]

Is it a good idea or how many ch could we lose by not selling to a llc?

[@PB-ij3fw]

Supposed to be how much could we lose by not selling to a llc.

[@nancylyon-gray3499]

We have a 4,000 sq. feet home. I do not what to do with my 20-year-old carpet. I have 7 dogs and the carpet is horrible. That was by my choice. I need to know how to replace it or give the buyer a "carpet" allowance. We are in a higher end market.

[@KatiSpaniak]

Definitely replace it

[@anntimmons8940]

Or change to wood floor

[@allalala9916]

LVP flooring is better than carpet

[@misterogers9423]

If you are truly in a higher end market, consider upgrading to hardwood floors or a higher quality option to match the area. If you do use carpet, avoid shag carpeting and use a neutral color. I would avoid overupgrading the floors too. No need for Terrazo or marble if you are about to sell it unless you live in that absurdly ritzy of an area where that is somehow the norm. Also don't upgrade to wood if it is not common in your neighborhood.

[@RG-hf4et]

Most buyers don't want new OR old carpet at all. Carpet is out.

[@RG-hf4et]

Anybody notice the tangerine colored kitchen sink?😅

[@susanmartin7682]

I'm not able to find the form to fill out for a realtor in my area. Technology impaired! Anyone help me out here?

[@KatiSpaniak]

Here you go! docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeSDlXO4W2iP6KOrSP9ZJKbO13-zECRxNNm4AF8S_r2mY968A/viewform?

[@susanmartin7682]

@@KatiSpaniak thank you! Love your videos and clarity!

[@fasteddierocs]

At least your honest..".fake it" ya Ok

[@rhondalouise332]

Anyone who follows her knows she does not mean “lie”

[@tammyrussell-rice5508]

First Recommendation to your Seller: Remove the rifle next to the commode. 😅

[@jamesg.hromnak2333]

🍀👍🍀🤔

[@amandaslough125]

Aside from needing to remove the bedroom wallpaper, and replacing the carpet and bathroom tile, I'd buy your client's home in a heart beat over that comp you showed. Whatever "updating" that is, is _not_ it. Some conglomerate of romanticizing mid century modern with the 10s sleek gray of coporatizing depression. If the bones and vessels are decent enough (to at least spread out roof repairs/water boiler etc), I much rather take the quirky colored sink with the gorgeous green walls and some warmth and life with the house.

[@johnlabus7359]

The gun next to the toilet is a choice. I suppose he wanted to shoot the 💩 out of someone?

[@RG-hf4et]

I keep looking for it & can't find it.😅