Which renovations are a smart investment before selling? (hardwood floors, countertops)

[Bunny123456]

Curious what the collective wisdom here says about renovations before selling.

We have a condo which we’ll hopefully be in a position to sell soon in one of the highly desirable metro west suburbs. Based on neighboring homes and condos that sold around us in recent years, it seems like nearly all new buyers come with a sledgehammer and/or a contractor and do their own work no matter how nice or not nice the place is. So there is a part of me that wants to avoid the hassle and expense and sell as is. To be clear, we are not talking about a place that’s a dump - oldest things here are 15-16 years old and plenty are much newer such as HVAC and water heater, newer appliances, toilets, faucets, etc. But carpet has seen (much) better days, master bathroom is very “2004” and kitchen cabinets aren’t the most modern. If we wanted to stay here, there is no question these things would need to be updated. I just don’t know if it makes financial or other sense to do it for someone else whose tastes may or may not match ours.

What’s most prudent when selling in regard to these things?

[yesmaybe]

You might be able to get away with doing nothing. But if you do, IMO I would only do the kitchen. SS appliances and granite countertops specifically. I don't get the obsession but that's what I've noticed is that people really love that.

That is just my opinion.

[simplexsimon]

I think it makes very little sense unless you're willing to DIY.

[Bunny123456]

Originally Posted by yesmaybe

You might be able to get away with doing nothing. But if you do, IMO I would only do the kitchen. SS appliances and granite countertops specifically. I don't get the obsession but that's what I've noticed is that people really love that.

That is just my opinion.

We already have SS appliances and granite countertops - though I personally despise this color of granite even though it is in perfectly good shape. It came with the house and we didn’t update it. If we were staying here, no question we’d either get quartz or lighter colored granite. My spouse seems to think painting the cabinets white is a good idea, I am not so sure…

[msRB311]

I don't think I'd bother doing updates. I've heard kitchen and bathroom are always the things to update if you do anything though. But given that you're in a 'highly desirable metro west suburbs' you shouldn't have a problem selling if you price it right.

[bostongymjunkie]

Why would you randomly paint the kitchen cabinets white?

[msRB311]

People like white kitchen cabinets. When we sold our old house they had been a like a light wood color and DH painted them white. I have to admit they looked amazing. House sold quickly. Our current house has white cabinets as well.

[bostongymjunkie]

I'm sure some people like them. I don't, and I'm sure I'm not the only one.

[msRB311]

Originally Posted by bostongymjunkie

I'm sure some people like them. I don't, and I'm sure I'm not the only one.

It's kind of what's in style right now though. White is the most popular color for kitchen cabinets right now and has been the past few years. There are plenty of trends i'm not into...seems like gray hardwood floors are all the rage too.

[bostongymjunkie]

Interesting. Well if the stats show it makes it easier to sell then so be it. I'm not a fan of white cabinets or white walls. I'd be replacing those with a nice looking wood grain.