flooring

Who did you use? Did you get
hardwood
laminate
carpet
tile

Were you happy with the end result? How has it held up? I need to redo the flooring in my house before I put it up for sale. Four real estate agents all told me the same thing so I want to do it as inexpensively as possible but still want it to look good so it will sell.

Re: flooring

While I wanted hardwood originally, with kids and stuff I knew I probably would fare better with laminate. I really didn't want to have to buff and sand down the road as part of maintenance, either. We went with Pergo Elegant Expressions and couldn't be happier. We used Long Island Paneling, which has great customer service.....can't say enough good about them. They worked with us on the price, too. Phil of Phil's Flooring installed it. My family has used him and were pleased, and I was, too. My one tip is that I was advised that the traditional golden oak color of flooring (both hardwood and laminate) is becoming outdated. More people are turning towards a darker, warmer color.

Re: flooring

What do you have now? Is it your whole house? Which rooms?

If you are in NY I would say most people want hardwood in the main areas. I think if you did that it would be a huge selling point, esp that it will be brand new.

If you put down laminate or tile throughout most people are going to see that as an expense since they will probably want to rip it up. I live in FL and laminate and tile flooring are common down here and actually most prefer it, but up there I don't think that's the case. I could be wrong though...

Re: flooring

Yes, I am curious what you have now, and what condition it is in.

I agree that hardwood is a big selling point. If you have hardwood under carpeting that you could just refinish, then yes, I think that would be a big selling point and would be worth doing (because it's not a huge investment).

Installing new hardwood floors is pretty expensive.

As a real estate agent, I usually do not recommend that my clients undertake any costly renovations before putting their home on the market, because (i) you rarely get back what you put in (dollars-wise), and (ii) tastes vary, so you might spend a ton of money putting in granite counters in your kitchen, and a potential buyer may not like the color or shade and want to rip it out anyway.

Unless you have totally trashed flooring -- like, badly stained and worn carpeting, or totally peeling ripped up laminate -- I would consider doing something less expensive, like cleaning the carpets. Again, tastes vary and if you are just going to put down new carpet, I know a lot of customers (with carpet especially) want to rip it out and install their own. I would just really think about it before you spend major money on a home you want to sell.

Re: flooring

We currently have carpets. It is 15 years old so no hardwood underneath. I wish. The carpets are 15 years old and at this point are trashed. I cannot sell with the way it looks now. I know it will be a bit of money but I want it to sell faster.

Re: flooring

to give you a different perspective:

DH and I are buyers right now and we plan to remove the carpet in whatever house we purchase almost immediately. Even if brandnew we will be removing. I want fresh carpet or hardwood or tile of my choice.

Re: flooring

I really appreciate your perspective as a purchaser. I just know what the competition is like where I live. We are in a planned community where only three streets have houses like mine. It is a desirable area close to a lot of things (shopping, major businesses, highways, with great school districts, an excellent reputation, and beautiful. We have just out grown our home. I love our house, neighbors, neighborhood, amenities and location. It is a perfect starter home for a young couple. But now we have two kids and it is a two bedroom house. So we need to move. I would like a forever home type of place. Since the market is right to buy, it is just time for us to move. I know that we have a floor and a ceiling from which to sell. There are other houses within blocks that have sold for a certain price up and down, so I have a $20,000 window if you will. I also know what my competition has to offer and in order to compete I need new flooring. It is not that I really want to invest this money it is that I want to sell. If this makes my home sell faster, then all the better for me. I will take a loss. I realize that completely. However, the longer I live here and keep my house on the market the longer it will take me to get what I want. I look at it as a short term loss for a longer term gain.

Re: flooring

I think it's great that as a seller, you see the big picture, and are willing to invest a little bit to achieve the long-term goal. I wish I met more sellers like you!

I don't know your home or area, but if you were my client, and the carpets were bad enough to scare off buyers or invite really low-ball offers, I would recommend the cheapest and easiest option. I think in your case, that would be to get a new, neutral colored carpet. That will be universally appealing, whereas laminate or tile might not be everyone's preference in the main living space.

Hardwood might be the top preference, and an extra selling point, but I think it would be expensive, and I'm not sure the cost is outweighed by any benefit. And if your home is a starter home and will be attracting first-time home buyers, I don't know that it's necessary.

If your home is somewhat unique (only 3 streets have houses like yours) and it's in a great location, it seems like buyers will be MORE rather than less likely to overlook some cosmetic issues. You also mention other homes have sold recently in your area, and you know what you need to do to compete, but do you know what comparable homes are on the market now? Those would be your competition. Do they all have updated flooring?

What did the agents you consulted with recommend?

Re: flooring

We ended up getting an extremely good deal for carpeting so we are doing that. We never replaced the carpets when we moved it. The previous owner had a cat that made the carpets her toy and really had its way with things. We have had them cleaned and nothing ever came out. Then we had kids and they spilled things. So it is just beyond needed at this point where, yes, someone would make a completely low ball offer because of it. I can see it happening. Is it strange that now I am getting ready to sell our home, that I am sad about it. I love my home.

Re: flooring

Based on what your saying, I think you are doing the right thing with the new carpet. Sometimes if the cosmetic stuff is a bit run down, buyers make a negative assumption about the overall condition of the home. New carpeting will give your home a fresh and well-maintained appearance.

I am sure it is very emotional seling your home -- it always is -- but just concentrate on what is best for your family and how great it will be in a bigger home where you'll make tons of new memories! Good luck with your sale.

Re: flooring

We did Shaw Laminate downstairs - It was $3 a sq ft. We dealt with Rocky at The floor store on Route 110 in Farmingdale

Upstairs we did Hardwood floors - Its called Spiced oak. We got it from Lowes for $2.49 a sq ft. We love the hard wood.

The laminate scratches easy. It is easy to clean though