Tips for which carpet to pretty up house to sell? (cheapest, inexpensive)

[Alicia64]

Hi Everyone,

We aren't doing a ton to our house, but we're thinking of putting in a new carpet. At the same time, we don't want to spend an arm and a leg.

Any advice for where to go and which brand to get that will deliver the most bang for the buck?

Same thing w/ lineoleum. I keep reading that it's coming back. Has been updated somehow to look great, but is still cheap. If you've had an experience, I'd love to hear!

Any other tips for selling? We're doing basic "fix ups." The fence, gutters, some plumbing work. But we just don't have the money to sink a ton into beautifying.

TIA!!

Alley

[Omaha Rocks]

Because I live near one, I buy quite a bit of stuff at Home Depot. I keep seeing signs saying, "Carpet installation - entire house for $39!"

I'm not sure if that's the deal any longer, and I know you'd have to buy the carpet there, but that might be something worth looking in to.

[Rakin]

We use a discount carpet place who gives great prices. We don't do the absolute cheapest but the 2nd cheapest carpet in homes we are about to sell.

Usually color wise a nice neutral beige / light tan carpet is best when selling.

[stan4]

Forget it. I can't tell you what a turn-off it is to walk into a home you're thinking about buying and see that new carpet/flooring/etc has been put in and it's not at all to your taste. On top of that, the seller usually puts it into their price...so now I have to pay for ugly ass crap I'm going to just tear out and replace anyway. Frustrating.

I would not change a thing and offer a carpet allowance.

[Alicia64]

I guess I need to give more detail. The plumber had to cut up the rug to trench below and fix the pipe.

He said he'd do it in a way that we could have a carpet installer put it back in place, but it looks bad -- pulled out from the walls etc.

On top of it, we have 6 year old twin boys who have left a few stains here and there.

I just don't think it shows well at all.

Alley

[scottinpdx]

Have you thought about laminate wood floors? Seems to be pretty popular these days. When you sell a house want to appeal to the broadest market of people. Keep everything nice, clean and give people the feeling that they could see themselves living there.

[camrynh]

When we sold our house and needed to have new carpet put in, we went with Home Depot. We did 3 bedrooms, a hallway, and stairs for about $1600. That includes tear out and installation, and was back when installation was $139!

[South Jersey Styx]

We used Home Depot too. One of those whole house specials. we just used a standard neutral carpet. Be sure to check how much the "extras" cost (i.e.. type of padding required, extra costs for steps, etc.).

The price included tearing up and disposal of the old carpet. the guys who did our project were great. Home Depot had a customer service staff who called several times and afterwards to check on the quality of services.

I know that some people don't prefer carpet; however, you don't want potential clients walking into your house and criticizing how dingy your carpet is. And alot of buyers want the move-in ready house. After the painting and carpeting, we staged the house and it sold in 3 days.

[camrynh]

Originally Posted by South Jersey Styx

We used Home Depot too. One of those whole house specials. we just used a standard neutral carpet. Be sure to check how much the "extras" cost (i.e.. type of padding required, extra costs for steps, etc.).

The price included tearing up and disposal of the old carpet. the guys who did our project were great. Home Depot had a customer service staff who called several times and afterwards to check on the quality of services.

I know that some people don't prefer carpet; however, you don't want potential clients walking into your house and criticizing how dingy your carpet is. And alot of buyers want the move-in ready house. After the painting and carpeting, we staged the house and it sold in 3 days.

Totally agree with all of this. We didn't sell in 3 days, though. It took us 2 weeks In April, 2009.

HD has some "specially" priced carpets that are good (you can upgrade the pad if you want it to be nice and cushy and feel more luxurious) and pretty inexpensive. Not the 3-4 bucks/sq ft or whatever that is on most of their displays. The specially priced stuff is on a rack right by the order desk.

[Ceece]

While I personally would prefer a carpet allowance (I don't look at anything but location and structure) most people would be happy to see a new beige carpet. Any style but plush.