Expert: Dick Dennis - 7/4/2006

Question
My disabled sister is on a limited income.  She needs to sell her home in the FL panhandle.  It's a 1983 home with an 1983 airconditioner, countertops, light fixtures and fans, outdated linoleum and tile colors and carpets stained by animals.  Which of these items should she fix before selling her home?  I know it's best to do it all but she only wants to do those items which will pay for themselves in the purchase price of the home.  A quick sell is not the goal.  She needs to conserve her funds for longterm use.

Answer
Sorry to disappoint you (and your sister), Cindy, but none of what you mentioned pays for itself when you fix it up. That is all maintenance stuff you mentioned. They are not major replacements or modernization. Buyer's expect all those things you mentioned to be there and in top condition. Otherwise, your property is a fixup in the buyer's eyes.

There are only two things that virtually pay themselves in a home when it is resold shortly afterwards and that is a complete remodeling of the kitchen and the master bathroom. The rest is strictly maintenance.

Because of your sister's condition, unfortunately, she left all that maintenance become deferred. Now that she needs her money, she will have to pay for it this way.

If a quick sell is not her goal, I assure you, in this buyer's market, that is what she is going to get. If she does not fix up the property completely, she is only kidding herself.

I do wish you and her well.

Dick Dennis             dixiedee13@aol.com