Comments on: How can we fix and sell our forever doomed house?

By: Brother Otter

Brother Otter — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:40:20 +0000

Actually, it sounds pretty straightforward.
Tidying up the yard – hire someone to mow and trim it regularly.
The clutter – sorry, but your dad will have to handle this. It’s his stuff and he’ll have to decide what to do with it. The best advice I can give is: help him come up with a plan and guidelines, and then work with him to do some every day until the tonnage is cleared away. (The plan needs to include throwing away a lot of stuff). Remember – it took years to accumulate it so clearing it away won’t happen over night.
Blank walls aren’t a problem. Dirty, drab walls are. Fresh paint isn’t expensive or difficult. Once the clutter is cleared away, any repainting that’s needed will be possible.
Wallpaper also is not hard.
If you or your dad aren’t comfortable to do the painting or wallpaper, he can hire someone to do those also.

Things to focus on for resale:
Curb appeal – clean up the yard.
The front door and entry. I’m not kidding; make sure the front door is in good repair and attractive, and the entry hall likewise.
The kitchen – spotlessly clean, attractive.
…and then the rest of the house.

Keep in mind – women generally make home buying decisions even though it’s the men who ‘sign the check’.

By: eddy_walton

eddy_walton — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:40:20 +0000

I had previously tried to sell my house using a photograph at the estate agents – without much success and had hardly any interest!

you should check out this website: http://www.drawmyplace.com – they do pen and ink drawings of your house – I had a beautiful drawing done of mine then advertised it at the estate agents using the drawing… sold it within a week at a higher price and with loads and loads of interest!

By: Belinda M

Belinda M — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:40:20 +0000

I agree that you should take it just one task at a time. looking at the whole picture can be overwhelming.
Cleaning up is a good start and do it room by room. Oprah’s good idea of sorting each room into three piles – one of stuff you use all the time, one of stuff you use annually (like Christmas) to store and the rest gets thrown out! It works.
As you clear the clutter you’ll have a better idea of what is underneath and what you can do to make the house look and feel like a place you want to live (or sell, it’s still your choice in the end!)
A yard or garage sale is a good way to get rid of some clutter and have a little money to use on making the house look better too.
As for the yard, get someone in to give it a REALLY good clean up. Then it will be much easier to maintain. Go for a low maintenance look if you don’t have time to garden.
Every little thing you do will make a difference and make you feel better about it all ! Good luck.

By: Master and Commander

Master and Commander — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:40:20 +0000

take each job, one at a time, little by little. Example- throw out the clutter. Each weekend, spend a few hours throwing out junk.
On nice days, spend an afternoon in the yard, cutting the grass, cleaning up flower beds etc…

Just do one thing at a time. After alittle while, you’ll notice a difference and hopefully it’ll motivate you to keep going.

If you have more money than time, you could always hire a junk removal service, a landscaper or neighborhood kids to clean up the yeard and handyman/contractor to repair the house.

These things will make your house more attractive. To increase the appeal, consider upgrading things…paint the house, lay new carpet or install hardwood flooring(preferred). Maybe upgrade the kitchen appliances, counters and maybe cabinets in the kitchen and baths.