questions on getting a new gas range for condo I hope to sell (condominium, price)
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Oh, just wanted to add, do NOT reupholster the sofa and chair unless you are doing it for yourself and plan to take them with you. To do a decent job, esp. on a sofa, you are looking at at least $1500. Have someone in to clean them and see if that helps, and if needed, use throws and pillows to camouflage stains. Buyers aren't going to care too much about the furniture, other than not wanting it to look so bad that it presents the entire condo in a bad light.
Since your complex is large, perhaps compare your unit to others in the buildings, not outside. People seem to likley know what the situation is in your building and may even gravitate to it for good bones and good prices so they can put their own touch on the unit.
Oh, just wanted to add, do NOT reupholster the sofa and chair unless you are doing it for yourself and plan to take them with you. To do a decent job, esp. on a sofa, you are looking at at least $1500. Have someone in to clean them and see if that helps, and if needed, use throws and pillows to camouflage stains. Buyers aren't going to care too much about the furniture, other than not wanting it to look so bad that it presents the entire condo in a bad light.
Thanks for the tip. I don't intend to take the sofa with me, since I will want a sleeper sofa. I might use slipcovers when I have the house shown...
Since your complex is large, perhaps compare your unit to others in the buildings, not outside. People seem to likley know what the situation is in your building and may even gravitate to it for good bones and good prices so they can put their own touch on the unit.
Unfortunately, there aren't very many units on sale at the moment. From what I've seen in the past, most of the units for sale in my complex in the past year have updated kitchens with granite counters and stainless steel appliances. I do know of one, belonging to an acquaintance, who did not update her kitchen; but I don't know what sort of appliances she had.
I bet I know where you are - is it a complex with a few different tallish buildings, with the initials BH?
In any case, I think buying new stainless appliances to put in a kitchen with broken cabinets and an older, non-stone/solid surface is kind of like putting lipstick on a pig. It's far more likely than not that a buyer would plan to remodel the kitchen, and you are going to have to price accordingly. Putting in inexpensive stainless appliances isn't really going to change that, and I think you'd be spending money with no return because if a buyer is going to spend the money for new cabinets and counters, they are probably going to buy new, higher end appliances too. If I'm right about your location, or even just in the same vicinity, you are looking at a pretty high price point for 3 BR, and those buyers will want high end finishes and appliances.
I would stay with white, buy used and replace only what is not currently functioning. So far, that's the range, although sounds like the fridge may be going as well. Try Craigslist or a discount appliance store for a scratch and dent model. Think clean and functional, period. You are not going to sell your condo on the strength of the kitchen, it's going to be the size and location. Just get it clean, do the painting you mentioned, repair and replace whatever is broken and non-functional, and then get it listed in the Spring, when the real estate market heats back up again.
I did check a store about 30-35 minutes away (well, I phoned them) that has scratch and dent models as well as new ones. The prices were similar to what I'm seeing at Home Depot (at least for one more day), but they said I wouldn't be able to see many of the models, since they order them. If I'm going to buy a large appliance and spend several hundred dollars, I'd rather see it first. I've also checked several other stores' websites.
I've just about decided to get one new kitchen appliance for now, the gas range, and in white. I will try to get my refrigerator repaired where there are cracks, and get new drawers if possible. Hopefully the dishwasher will continue to be functional. I will need to get a new kitchen faucet eventually, steel to match the sink.
and there are two more that I will look at, but so far I'm favoring the GE. My only concern about is that I haven't been able to find more than one review for it, though that one was quite positive.
I will be very lucky if I have this condo ready to put on the market in the spring; given all the stuff I have to clear out/organize/dump. It's just taking so long...I might not be ready until the summer or fall.
Oh, just wanted to add, do NOT reupholster the sofa and chair unless you are doing it for yourself and plan to take them with you. To do a decent job, esp. on a sofa, you are looking at at least $1500. Have someone in to clean them and see if that helps, and if needed, use throws and pillows to camouflage stains. Buyers aren't going to care too much about the furniture, other than not wanting it to look so bad that it presents the entire condo in a bad light.
Slipcovers are cheap! Reupholstery is wicked expensive. Unless the OP is keeping the furniture, it is a complete waste of money to reupholster. And if doing it to resell the furniture, don't. You won't a dime on it. You'll spend hundreds out of your own pocket.
New oven sounds good. Also, your plan to paint and replace the floors sound fine. New refrigerator sounds like the ticket when you get around to it.
I wouldn't worry to much about whether your decorating tastes would agree with that of prospective buyers. As long as your place is clean, painted, uncluttered, no obvious repairs needed.
I would strongly urge you to hire a stager to come through and give you advice on each room. It will help you decide what to spend your time and money on. You can even get suggestions on paint colors, inexpensive decorating tips, etc.
There is an art to staging and many people don't really understand it. I've seen it make a world of difference.
Recently viewed a townhome that the owner had told me quite proudly she had "staged." The dining room had a backyard bistro table and two chairs. The living room had three different styles/colors of furniture, all dated. The "sofa" was more of a bench really. I've been in that townhome, it has regular size rooms. But by using the bistro table and the bench instead of a sofa, it make her townhome look small. The variety of furniture styles made it look dated as your grandma's trailer.
Her place has been on the market for months and rarely even gets toured.
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