Help! Trying to sell, what would help the most? (countertop, price, offers)

[Seller7]

We are trying to sell our home.

Built in 2000, 4 br 2.5 bath colonial.
Good town, good schools.
About 2500 sf. 9 foot ceilings, some cathedral ceilings, lots of windows, nice lot
Houses in our development in our size range go from $550K to $700K depending on the level of upgrades.

Our weakness...The finishes.

---There is neutral carpet in the LR, DR and FR on the first floor, and in all four bedrooms on the second floor. It is clean, but would probably need to be switched out upon changing owners.
---The bathrooms are original to the house. Not horribly old as you can see from the build year, in good shape, very clean, but regardless, not updated.
---The kitchen...It's big. We have nice tile floors. Standard oak cabinets though. The original laminate countertop. Original appliances in a cream color.

We are getting showings, but no offers. The house shows well. It is spotlessly clean, uncluttered, we have nice furniture, nice neutral paint colors.

If we were to do one project to try to increase our success, what would you recommend?

--Granite and new appliances in the kitchen?
--New carpet?
--Wood floors on the first floor (gulp, really don't want to do that one)
--Quick updates of the bathrooms (like maybe throw granite on the counters)

What is the thing(s) that you have seen change a house from a no-go to a possibility for yourself/your clients? Opinions of realtors especially welcome.

Thanks in advance!!!

[2bindenver]

Look at other houses that are in your area, in your price range. What do they have that you do not?

[aus1ander]

Steam clean your carpet. Do not do any major updates, you are unlikely to get the ROI. Lower your price to be competitive to your neighbors, aknowledging the buyer will need to do some updating.

[Seller7]

Originally Posted by 2bindenver

Look at other houses that are in your area, in your price range. What do they have that you do not?

The ones that sell the quickest have all of those things (completely renovated bathrooms, completely renovated kitchen, wood on at least the first floor).

[Rowan123]

Originally Posted by aus1ander

Steam clean your carpet. Do not do any major updates, you are unlikely to get the ROI. Lower your price to be competitive to your neighbors, aknowledging the buyer will need to do some updating.

Agree.

[Seller7]

Originally Posted by aus1ander

Steam clean your carpet. Do not do any major updates, you are unlikely to get the ROI. Lower your price to be competitive to your neighbors, aknowledging the buyer will need to do some updating.

Did the steam cleaning.

So you think just lower the price to account for the lack of upgrades and look to appeal to someone who is willing to do their own upgrades?

I see that point (and we are already priced low in our development). I guess I'm wondering if I were to try to do one project make the house more appealing, which would be the best one

[Rowan123]

I'd ask your realtor which would make the most sense to do. My guess would be kitchen.

[davebarnes]

You will not have a pure positive ROI on any of these changes.
It might sell more quickly.
That may or may not translate into dollars for you.

[Ted Bear]

Originally Posted by Seller7

The ones that sell the quickest ...).

SELL and QUICKLY are exclusive terms when it comes to real estate. Some markets get hot; others languish. Get ready for the long slog....think in terms of months up to a year or more....that is the life of selling a home. Could sell tomorrow. Could sell next August because someone wants to be in for school. You won't know until you know. In the meantime, you can't push a string through the grass. And you can't add touches which are going to do much to entice a buyer.

[BirdieBelle]

Originally Posted by Seller7

So you think just lower the price to account for the lack of upgrades and look to appeal to someone who is willing to do their own upgrades?

Yes. Without a doubt.

You cannot price your home in line with updated homes because yours will require more $$ to fix up.

IF you were going to do one upgrade, (and I really would not) I would put wood floors on the first floor because then they could move in and not have to move their furniture BACK OUT to change the flooring on their own but still make the other cosmetic updates on their own schedule.

Do not be tempted to change the cabinets or countertops because those tastes are individual.