Housing market is hot - yet I see homes more than 30 - 60 days on market (Dallas: 2014, insurance)

[globe9]

Paint is definitely an easy enough change. I wouldn't be turned off by crazy loud colors if the house was something I was interested in. I wouldn't even be turned off if it had the aforementioned pepto pink or turquoise bathroom if it was priced low enough that I could change that immediately. Luckily though I didn't have to deal with any of that. All we had to do was revamp the front exterior landscaping. Easy enough.
I think the main reason many questionable houses sit on the market is b/c they are priced pretty high, not leaving enough money for homebuyers to remodel extensively.

[Ralph_Kirk]

Originally Posted by globe9

I think the main reason many questionable houses sit on the market is b/c they are priced pretty high, not leaving enough money for homebuyers to remodel extensively.

Like this one that's been on the market for a year:

http://www.realtor.com/realestateand...285?source=web

I'd been watching it since last August, first got a look at it last December. It was priced at $159K then. Suddenly it went up to $200,000 in January (issues with the bank--it was, maybe still is, a short sale).

It's quirky as heck and would need considerable remodeling, and I would have been up to the task...but not at $170K, not in that neighborhood. I would have tried to get them down to $150K...

...until I discovered that it has aluminum wiring with no remediation having ever been done. It would require rewiring at this point, and with the kind of architecture it has, re-wiring would require an absolute gut of every room.

And they bank is still insisting on $170K.

[BigDGeek]

Originally Posted by globe9

To each their own I guess, but the pepto pink bathrooms make me want to puke. Not my thing at all. Rarely are they in great shape as well. I guess a lot of people in Dallas are "thrifty" then. Amazing when I see how much money they waste on luxury cars and designer clothing.

Eh...to each their own. Would I design a pepto pink bathroom if I was building a new house? No. But do I dislike it enough to spend thousands of dollars on an unnecessary remodel? Nope. I don't hang out in there that much. I brush my teeth, style my hair, use the toilet, and shower in there. It's not like I'm hosting dinner parties in the bathroom.

[globe9]

Yes, but the homes I'm referring to have severely outdated kitchens, dining rooms and living rooms as well. I'm guessing some dinner parties are taking place. It really doesn't take all that much money to update somewhat. I was just confused at the number of houses I see with no updates whatsoever since the 50's and 60's. I've never seen that in some of the other places I've lived. Sure there were some, but not the amount I've seen here. Dallasites sure do love their wood paneling I guess.

[Ralph_Kirk]

Originally Posted by globe9

Dallasites sure do love their wood paneling I guess.

Dang, that's true.

[BigDGeek]

Originally Posted by globe9

Yes, but the homes I'm referring to have severely outdated kitchens, dining rooms and living rooms as well. I'm guessing some dinner parties are taking place. It really doesn't take all that much money to update somewhat. I was just confused at the number of houses I see with no updates whatsoever since the 50's and 60's. I've never seen that in some of the other places I've lived. Sure there were some, but not the amount I've seen here. Dallasites sure do love their wood paneling I guess.

Easier to paint it white than to tear it out. A lot of that wood paneling does not have drywall behind it. Mine doesn't.

My kitchen might be "severely outdated" but the appliances, except the oven, are modern. The counters are from the 70s and are about at the end of their useful lifespan. The cabinet boxes are original and they're solid wood. It would be insane to tear them out. Just replace the doors, get new counters, have the floor re-tiled, and boom! you're done. You'd have to be a moron to tear out the whole kitchen.

[TurtleCreek80]

Originally Posted by BigDGeek

Eh...to each their own. Would I design a pepto pink bathroom if I was building a new house? No. But do I dislike it enough to spend thousands of dollars on an unnecessary remodel? Nope. I don't hang out in there that much. I brush my teeth, style my hair, use the toilet, and shower in there. It's not like I'm hosting dinner parties in the bathroom.

You can modernize a 1950's bathroom for about $1,500 >
$500 paint the pink floor & ceiling tiles white (the paint does not wash off or chip easily)
$250ish for a new custom cut wall mirror over the sink/vanity
$300-500 for some medium-end sink & bath hardware and new pulls/knobs for built ins & vanity

Lastly, splurge on some nice overhead & vanity lighting fixtures from Restoration Hardware or similar for $400.

We've done this in two houses now and it's amazing what a light color scheme, plus some fresh, on-trend lighting & bath fixtures will do to update the look! At our last house, it took our guest bath from seafoam green - and not a pretty shade!- to Pottery Barn catalog-worthy in about 2 days' time. The bathroom had great bones, size & layout, just needed bringing in to this decade.

For someone who really hates tile countertops, Seconds & Surplus (or similar) are great places to look for countertop slabs. High quality at great prices, just have to hunt to find one the right size and color.

[BigDGeek]

Originally Posted by TurtleCreek80

You can modernize a 1950's bathroom for about $1,500 >
$500 paint the pink floor & ceiling tiles white (the paint does not wash off or chip easily)
$250ish for a new custom cut wall mirror over the sink/vanity
$300-500 for some medium-end sink & bath hardware and new pulls/knobs for built ins & vanity

Lastly, splurge on some nice overhead & vanity lighting fixtures from Restoration Hardware or similar for $400.

We've done this in two houses now and it's amazing what a light color scheme, plus some fresh, on-trend lighting & bath fixtures will do to update the look! Even better, it's a weekend job at most.

For someone who really hates tile countertops, Seconds & Surplus (or similar) are great places to look for countertop slabs. High quality at great prices, just have to hunt to find one the right size and color.

The light fixture is new and the sink/tub taps are not original and are in excellent condition.

I replaced the knobs and pulls already. My drawer pulls are chevron-shaped like an old Cadillac logo.

Boomerang Drawer Pull | Rejuvenation

I've painted bathroom tile before. No thanks.

I'm happy with my bathroom. It's globe9 who's hating on my Mamie Eisenhower-pink powder room.

[TXNGL]

Originally Posted by BigDGeek

Yeah, carpet in the bathroom is disgusting. I don't understand why people do it.

I think it was an 80s thing. Yuck. I had lots of things I wanted to change once I moved into my current home, but the carpet in the master bath had to go before move in.

[globe9]

Originally Posted by BigDGeek

The light fixture is new and the sink/tub taps are not original and are in excellent condition.

I replaced the knobs and pulls already. My drawer pulls are chevron-shaped like an old Cadillac logo.

Boomerang Drawer Pull | Rejuvenation

I've painted bathroom tile before. No thanks.

I'm happy with my bathroom. It's globe9 who's hating on my Mamie Eisenhower-pink powder room.

Not hating on it, just not my thing. I like an updated look, not retro.
When granite and stainless are out of fashion, I'll update my house. I don't want to live in a time warp. That's just my personal opinion. Im not hating on anyone who likes retro. To rleach their own.
I was just commenting on how many people in this area seem to live in outdated homes. You yourself mention how easy it is to paint paneling, replace cabinet doors, replace countertops fairly inexpensively etc, yet none of the houses I've seen online have done these easy updates since 1960. I was just curious as to why it seems so prevalent here. I've never seen your house nor was I referring to it, so please don't take my comments personally. I was just commenting on the Dallas area as a whole and my observations. Just my opinion.