Need advice, please: first time seller here

[carryyourbooks]

my home is 1865 sf built in 1981. it is a starter home 3/2/2. i have replaced the plumbing thoughout. i had a friend of mine who flips homes tell me to list it at the hcad value to get a bidding war going. i am pretty sure i can get 110k out of the house. hcad has it for 84k right now which is up 11k from last year's hcad. should i "flip" my own home after a realtor recommends it or listen to my flipper buddy? the flipper buddy says that my house won't get that much. comps in my area show that i should get around 115k if it is in show condition. right now, the walls need painted. the house has forest green carpet throughout. i don't think laminate or tile would pay for itself in zip code 77493. but i'm no realtor or flipper. what do you guys think?

[cheryjohns]

Have a realtor look at it before you put any more money into it. (Except if it needs painted - paint is a cheap fix, keep it neutral.)

HCAD value is the taxing value - and often has no relationship to market value. Listing it too low in hopes of a bidding war may not be a good strategy. The bidders will most likely be investors, and their goal is to get it below market rate.

Williamsburg Hamlet?

[City Love]

Originally Posted by carryyourbooks

my home is 1865 sf built in 1981. it is a starter home 3/2/2. i have replaced the plumbing thoughout. i had a friend of mine who flips homes tell me to list it at the hcad value to get a bidding war going. i am pretty sure i can get 110k out of the house. hcad has it for 84k right now which is up 11k from last year's hcad. should i "flip" my own home after a realtor recommends it or listen to my flipper buddy? the flipper buddy says that my house won't get that much. comps in my area show that i should get around 115k if it is in show condition. right now, the walls need painted. the house has forest green carpet throughout. i don't think laminate or tile would pay for itself in zip code 77493. but i'm no realtor or flipper. what do you guys think?

Yea, get with a Realtor to get a good value of what you could sell for. If you are pretty sure you can get $110k out of it, DON'T list it for HCAD value. No way the "bidding war" would get you that close. From $84k to $110k, that's wishful thinking.

Laminate and tile are 2 of the cheapest upgrades and can make a big difference.

[carryyourbooks]

[quote=cheryjohns;22615368]Have a realtor look at it before you put any more money into it. (Except if it needs painted - paint is a cheap fix, keep it neutral.)

HCAD value is the taxing value - and often has no relationship to market value. Listing it too low in hopes of a bidding war may not be a good strategy. The bidders will most likely be investors, and their goal is to get it below market rate.

Williamsburg Hamlet?[/quote]

dang, you're good!