Selling home: List higher and budge, or list lower no budge?

[z1ggy]

So I washed the floors with that peroxide and water mix, then hit it with TSP and hot water a few days later.

I can't tell if the smell is gone yet. The stains are still sort of there, so I may hit it one more time with the TSP and water mix.

From what my nose tells me, the smell is gone... But I am probably used to it, plus I currently have a minor cold, so I can't really smell much anyway.

Carpet guy also came over to measure. I guess they'll get back to me in a few days with how much the job costs. I'm going to estimate it will cost around $900 because I am going to have my stairs done as well. I'll post some pics when it's done, probably later this month.

 

[cabri]

Ask a neighbor to come and do a sniff test for you.

 

[zardthebuilder]

how about asking your agent to take a sniff?

 

[z1ggy]

how about asking your agent to take a sniff?

girl friend is coming over Weds. She hasn't been here in about a month.. So that'll be a good indicator.

If she says it's mainly gone, I'll probably give the offended room a once over with Kilz to make sure it's totally sealed.

 

[Nograts]

Just out of curiosity what was the original value of the home and how many years did you pay on it?

I'll be selling a home in the next decade with 20 of 30 years paid on the mortgage and curious what % of my buy price would be considered equity.

 

[z1ggy]

Just out of curiosity what was the original value of the home and how many years did you pay on it?

I'll be selling a home in the next decade with 20 of 30 years paid on the mortgage and curious what % of my buy price would be considered equity.

Amount I paid: $156k

Years paid on mortgage: 4

Interest rate: 4.75%

Asking price for home now: $165k

Actual price sold for: TBD

 

[z1ggy]

Got a quote for carpet install in my basement. 756sqft, total cost of $1500. Seems a little steep to me, so I'm getting a second quote from another place. If it comes back the same or more, I may honestly just make sure I clean the shit out of the floor, and then seal it with Kilz oil based sealant, with maybe a light grey tint to it.

The engineer brain in me just can't pay $2/sqft for some shitty carpet, when Buyers may actually not like it. Yes, my realtor says carpet will make it look "warmer" or "more inviting", but I'm not actually sure it's worth the cost. I'd rather do the minimum and have a Buyer negotiate price for them adding flooring in. IMO I actually think there's certain scenarios where carpet may actually hurt me, say if a Buyer views my basement as the perfect place for a 2nd bathroom. Now he's going to tear all the carpet up and probably ask for a reduction in cost to account for that.

I'm going to try really hard to remember to take some pictures tonight to post for you guys to get your opinion. I'm really considering just painting the floor with Kilz now.

 

[Carson Dyle]

Yes, my realtor says carpet will make it look "warmer" or "more inviting", but I'm not actually sure it's worth the cost. I'd rather do the minimum and have a Buyer negotiate price for them adding flooring in. IMO I actually think there's certain scenarios where carpet may actually hurt me, say if a Buyer views my basement as the perfect place for a 2nd bathroom. Now he's going to tear all the carpet up and probably ask for a reduction in cost to account for that.

Of course the real estate agent thinks it would be better. She wants to sell the house and doesn't give a **** how much it costs you. How many times has the house sold _without_ flooring in the basement? Did YOU ask for an allowance when you bought the place?

I think you're worrying about it too way much. Get a couple of additional opinions on the smell. If it doesn't smell and the if the floor isn't stained, you're good to go.

 

[z1ggy]

Of course the real estate agent thinks it would be better. She wants to sell the house and doesn't give a **** how much it costs you. How many times has the house sold _without_ flooring in the basement? Did YOU ask for an allowance when you bought the place?

I think you're worrying about it too way much. Get a couple of additional opinions on the smell. If it doesn't smell and the if the floor isn't stained, you're good to go.

When I bought it, it had these rubber-ish tiles that locked into place like a puzzle. I've seen them advertised as garage flooring in certain places, although I wouldn't personally use them there.

I didn't ask for money off because I thought they would suffice. Turns out they were crap and I pulled them all out revealing the shitty cement floor under it. MY dad is coming this weekend to help me do some more work on the place.. painting, etc. I'll see what he thinks. I'm actually going to clean the floor (3rd time...) and remove the litter boxes completely from my house for a few hours before he comes over, to see if it smells any. If it's barely noticeable or non existent, I'll probably go ahead and seal and paint the floor anyway, even if I end up doing carpet. I can seal and paint the whole basement for probably just north of $120.