Hi - We are going to put our 1970's home on the market sometime in the next year. We've extensively remodeled, incluing vaulting all the ceilings, hardwood floors, all new windows. We turned a 70's semi craftsman into a light filled loft craftsman. However.... we ran out of money and steam, and never put in new kitchen cabinets, island in the kitchen, window coverings in the living area, master bath sink, and some landscape screening on the back fence.

Do you think it's important in this market to complete these tasks before selling?? We are thinking of partial IKEA cabinets for the kitchen mixed with custom uppers. Maybe a new refrig to complete the look. New master bath vanity/sink, possibly custom. Of course we'll do the usual painting touch up, super cleaning, and putting away three quarters of our stuff!!

Our neighborhood is in the North Bay/Napa Valley with mixed homes. Some are also extensively remodeled and some are original. Thanks for your input!

Thanks for your constructive words. First the decision is about what to fix up, and then it's about how much money to spend fixing it!! Home Depot/IKEA vs high end. However, I've seen some custom cabinets at Home Depot that look pretty good. I think the penny wise pound foolish saying comes to mind. In saving a few thousand dollars to buy cheaper goods for the last of the remodel then turns off some high end buyer, I guess we wouldn't really be saving that money now at all, would we?

Besides the economics of spending the money, I think there is the psychological aspect of doing without for all these years, and now fixing it up to sell for someone else to enjoy. We said we wouldn't do this again, and yet here we are. For me, this tells me we didn't plan well enough, and perhaps got involved in too big a project.

I have to agree with Loren, I used to buy only fixers but now I'm not as interested. It seems like more of a gamble to go in a house and have to put more money into it right now. I would at least do all the cosmetic work you can and make the kitchen look as good as it can with minimal updating. My reason is, a badly remodeled house is less attractive than a house that needs work. Why? Both need work but the buyer is then asking the seller to pay for that bad remodel.

One thing to consider is not talking about your house as a craftsman, which it isn't. Unless it was built in 1900-1930 it's not a true craftsman and most people that like this style know this and are put off by people listing their non-craftsman home as such. Of course, I haven't seen your home but it would be pretty tough to make a 70's home into anything close to a true craftsman home. Better to emphasize the details you've put into it and any other strengths it has (layout, open floorplan, etc.). 

I'm a buyer, and I'd rather buy a cheaper house with a good functional kitchen, than to pay you to remodel what will be my kitchen, to your taste. Of course it depends on what segment of the market you're talking about.

And on to my favorite pet peeve, granite and stainless steel kitchens. They're so trendy now that I'm convinced that they will become the avocado green refrigerator of our times. I don't want to pay extra for that.

With a remodel there are so many things you can't predict.  Dual sinks in the master bath are great for couples, but for someone recently separated or widowed they could be a daily reminder of solitude and separation.

You just can't predict your buyer's reaction. I don't know your house, finishing the remodel might be a good idea, just consider your style and materials carefully.....and good luck!

I had an avocado green fridge. It even had the darker green towards the edges, simulating the avocado rind. That was true awesomeness.

Still though, I think stainless steel and stone in a neutral color are always going to be tasteful, even if they aren't the current fashion at any moment.

I agree about not remodeling it though, I seen "nice" remodels that aren't to my taste, and so I wouldn't want to pay for it.

I can only speak for myself ofcourse but I am really tired of looking at houses that, when I walk in, all I see is new stuff that I have to rip out and pay a premium for the priveledge of doing so ("remodeled" homes cost more). 

I would rather pay a fair price for a well kept home that I can remodel to my tastes (cabinets, sinks, tile, window dressing, paint, etc.) that has good bones (good energy efficient windows, HWH, AC, no water damage, no old 40 yr. old insulation, relatively new roof, well built, etc.) then someone else's "beige" taste any day. 

GL with either route you decide to go down!

Be it in preparation for renting or selling your property, or simply for the ability to once again appreciate your home, minor renovations can go a long way. Presenting a home which does not further extend a potential buyer's investment is key. Particularly in this selling environment, where foreclosures are common, and the question on most purchasers’ lips is "What does it need?" If your home needs remarkably little, compared to others, in terms of both time and money invested, you are presenting a better deal without having to lower your price.

Two very basic upgrades most anyone can do on a budget are a fresh coat of paint and the addition of house plants. While a fresh coat of paint seems like a no-brainer, it is most often overlooked. This quick-fix will make the interior architecture of your home sharper, cleaner and more defined. Light will reflect better off fresh paint and make your rooms brighter (provided you use light or neutral colors). Meanwhile, natural plants, like potted palms or ferns, will add vibrancy of color and cleaner, fresher air to your rooms.

As most people enjoy walking around their homes barefoot, floors are vital to making a home feel cozy and comfortable. Keep this in mind, and perhaps try taking your shoes off and seeing how your floors feel. It may be time to refinish that wood floor or regrout your tile. Furthermore, area rugs and runners make a great addition to rooms and hallways. They contribute to the overall decor, are easy to clean, and can be a very frugal way to change the look of your home.

Fixtures for both lighting and plumbing are an amazing way to update the look of certain rooms. Swapping out dome lights for lighted ceiling fans or adding accent lighting is a great place to start. Even in rooms that have a nice central fixture, accent and indirect lighting can completely change how a rooms lighting feels. In the bathroom or kitchen, new faucets can add that clean modern, or embellished classic look you desire. New shower heads can eliminate the damage hard water has done, improving your shower functionally as well as aesthetically.

Lastly, take a look at your wall adornments. These include art, pictures, shelving and window coverings. These little touches can make a big difference in how your home is perceived, both by you and any potential renter/purchaser. A selection of pictures and knick-knacks can make a property feel like a home. Too much can make it look like an antique store. As well, window coverings should fit the overall decor, be clean and in good condition. Don't think this is important? Ask anyone who has purchased a new construction home and had to wait for their window coverings to be installed.

While these alterations will cost a little bit of money, the return on investment can be huge if it means making the deal, or simply the satisfaction of owning a beautiful home. As well, your home may not need everything mentioned here. If it does, these upgrades can be done in whatever order, and on any time table your budget and free time allows. However, starting now will allow you time to absorb the costs and not leave you in a procrastinators panic if you decide to sell down the road

CondoCondo

As a buyer now, I am factoring in that I won't be in a position to easily get an equity line to pursue major renovations.  A house in good condition and with the kinds of things I would otherwise have to spend 100% cash on after COE is a plus to me.  But choices are tricky.  I agree that "bad" taste can't make renovations a plus.

One thing I do look at with respec to kitchens is, could I redo the kitchen without major wall or structure work?  If the kitchen has a good basic layout, but just needs new cabinets and surfaces, that is less duanting than one you'd have to level and start over on.