Should You Replace the Flooring Before Selling Your House?

When you put your home on the market, you want to quickly attract a buyer and get the highest possible price. One of the first things prospective buyers will notice when they view a house, especially one that’s unoccupied, is the flooring. Buyers won’t be able to easily overlook carpet that is worn out or covered with stains or hardwood floors that are scratched and discolored, no matter how immaculate the rest of the house appears.

Can the Flooring Be Cleaned or Repaired?
If the carpet is stained but in good condition, a professional cleaning may be all that’s needed to make it look like new. You may also be able to shift buyers’ attention away from the flooring by staging the room in a way that draws people’s eyes to other features. This strategy works best in rooms that don’t get a lot of foot traffic. If your house has hardwood floors that are scratched and worn, sanding and refinishing them can make the house more appealing to potential buyers.

When Does Flooring Need to Be Replaced?
If the carpet has large or multiple stains that can’t be removed with professional cleaning, if it smells like mildew or has trapped-in pet odors, if it’s worn out in areas that get a lot of foot traffic, or if it’s visibly frayed, you should replace it. If the house has worn-out tile, linoleum or some other flooring material that needs to go, you should install a new material that’ll likely attract buyers.

Make sure the materials you choose are appropriate for the way each room will be used. Many people prefer hardwood flooring in the main living areas. If you’re on a tight budget, you can install laminate flooring that looks remarkably similar to real hardwood but costs less. Tile is a better choice for areas with a lot of moisture, such as kitchens and bathrooms. Plush wall-to-wall carpeting can make living areas and bedrooms feel warm and inviting.

Make Your Home More Appealing
The flooring is one of the first characteristics of your house that prospective buyers will notice. If you don’t replace damaged or worn-out flooring, buyers may assume that the house has other problems, and they may simply decide to look elsewhere for their dream home. If someone does decide to buy the house with bad floors, you may receive an offer that is well below your asking price. If your home’s floors aren’t looking as good as they used to, spend some time and money to clean them up if possible, or consider replacing them to sell your home quickly.