Home Improvement Poll (countertop, townhome, laminate, painting)

[Schib02]

I'm moving to Raleigh this fall for a job opportunity and have an odd question. I figured here I am sure to get some good participation/responses (since I'm always out here reading posts).

I need to make some small improvements to my current house to help it sell.

Here's the setup: My basement is a typical "L" shape with a walkout into the back yard. In some of the townhomes in my community there is a third bedroom in the basement. In my townhome however, there is not a third bedroom, just another large open space with--get this--a wet bar. Essentially in the space where a closet would be in the third bedroom is a counter with a small sink, a cabinet above the counter and of course a cabinet below. The cabinets and countertop are quite dated (very late 70's, early 80's--dark wood veneer, older "gold like" cabinet pulls).

My house would be perfect for a retiree, a first time homeowner, or even a young couple...with only two bedrooms side by side in the upper level...I can't imagine a family of more than 2 in here.

I know that different people will have different needs and uses for the space...but just to get a quick objective feel from you guys....QUESTION: Would you like to see a small dated wetbar in your basement, or would you rather see an extra closet? I can't afford to put up a wall to make it 3 bedrooms (due to some electrical issues)...but I can afford to rip that wet bar out for more closet space. There is a lot of storage in the house, but not in the sense of a good linen closet..the storage here is primarily in the kitchen, the closets in the bedrooms and under the stairs.

I know you'd want to see the house to *really* know what you'd want...but do you all think wetbars are as outdated as I do?

Thanks in advance to anyone that answers. I'm just curious to see what you think would sell the house more quickly/be more appealing to a buyer.

THANKS!

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by Schib02

I'm moving to Raleigh this fall for a job opportunity and have an odd question. I figured here I am sure to get some good participation/responses (since I'm always out here reading posts).

I need to make some small improvements to my current house to help it sell.

Here's the setup: My basement is a typical "L" shape with a walkout into the back yard. In some of the townhomes in my community there is a third bedroom in the basement. In my townhome however, there is not a third bedroom, just another large open space with--get this--a wet bar. Essentially in the space where a closet would be in the third bedroom is a counter with a small sink, a cabinet above the counter and of course a cabinet below. The cabinets and countertop are quite dated (very late 70's, early 80's--dark wood veneer, older "gold like" cabinet pulls).

My house would be perfect for a retiree, a first time homeowner, or even a young couple...with only two bedrooms side by side in the upper level...I can't imagine a family of more than 2 in here.

I know that different people will have different needs and uses for the space...but just to get a quick objective feel from you guys....QUESTION: Would you like to see a small dated wetbar in your basement, or would you rather see an extra closet? I can't afford to put up a wall to make it 3 bedrooms (due to some electrical issues)...but I can afford to rip that wet bar out for more closet space. There is a lot of storage in the house, but not in the sense of a good linen closet..the storage here is primarily in the kitchen, the closets in the bedrooms and under the stairs.

I know you'd want to see the house to *really* know what you'd want...but do you all think wetbars are as outdated as I do?

Thanks in advance to anyone that answers. I'm just curious to see what you think would sell the house more quickly/be more appealing to a buyer.

THANKS!

Just my 2 cents... I think wet bars are passe', but extra closet space is ALWAYS a plus in a home. I say rip that sucker out, it is dating your home

[momof2dfw]

Although, if the area were made into a multi use area for a home gym, media room, card room, etc a wet bar would be REALLY handy. Not all wet bars are "passe'" as they are being put in many new homes now in areas like media rooms. We have a media room w/o a sink but it does have a mini-fridge. I LOVE IT! I do know of many people building very nice custom homes that are making sure their media room or game room upstairs has water running to it. So play that feature up. You can very cheaply replace the hardware and see about even painting the cabinets. If you have money left over you can either put new laminate over the counters or tile them. Anyone can build a wall to add closet space if there is room in the basement but having the plumbing already there for a sink or maybe even a bathroom if they want later on can not always be done. I say play it up and make it a nice feature.

[golfgal]

I am going to assume the rest of the basement is finished as well. Personally, I would leave it as is and reduce your asking price to reflect that. In today's townhome market a lower price might be worth more to some buyers then having an extra closet. If you are looking at first time homebuyers they typically don't have that much stuff to make a closet all that necessary.

[dncngrl1964]

Originally Posted by Schib02

I'm moving to Raleigh this fall for a job opportunity and have an odd question. I figured here I am sure to get some good participation/responses (since I'm always out here reading posts).

I need to make some small improvements to my current house to help it sell.

Here's the setup: My basement is a typical "L" shape with a walkout into the back yard. In some of the townhomes in my community there is a third bedroom in the basement. In my townhome however, there is not a third bedroom, just another large open space with--get this--a wet bar. Essentially in the space where a closet would be in the third bedroom is a counter with a small sink, a cabinet above the counter and of course a cabinet below. The cabinets and countertop are quite dated (very late 70's, early 80's--dark wood veneer, older "gold like" cabinet pulls).

My house would be perfect for a retiree, a first time homeowner, or even a young couple...with only two bedrooms side by side in the upper level...I can't imagine a family of more than 2 in here.

I know that different people will have different needs and uses for the space...but just to get a quick objective feel from you guys....QUESTION: Would you like to see a small dated wetbar in your basement, or would you rather see an extra closet? I can't afford to put up a wall to make it 3 bedrooms (due to some electrical issues)...but I can afford to rip that wet bar out for more closet space. There is a lot of storage in the house, but not in the sense of a good linen closet..the storage here is primarily in the kitchen, the closets in the bedrooms and under the stairs.

I know you'd want to see the house to *really* know what you'd want...but do you all think wetbars are as outdated as I do?

Thanks in advance to anyone that answers. I'm just curious to see what you think would sell the house more quickly/be more appealing to a buyer.

THANKS!

if you cant make it a bedroom dont go for the closet
take out the wetbar and put just shelves in its place
the reason I say this is because you wont get back your investment on sub levels so put as little in as possible
also if you arent working with an agent I suggest you do but also are you compensating the buyers agent make the compensation 1%HIGHER than normal and agent will be streaming to your house to show it

[Dolfan]

Go for the closet. Not everyone will have interest in the wet bar but extra storage space is always a plus, especially if the house is not real big.

[jhlcomp]

Do nothing. If the cabinetry surrounding the wet bar in unslightly, then change the cabinets or reface them. Just spruce it up a bit.

[Racelady88]

Leave the wet bar. If the new homeowner wants a game room or a designated "man space" it will be a plus.

Personally, I would never want a closet in my basement.