Home Improvement
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Crone
Bronze Baronet of the Realm
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Need some advice bros.
I'm trying to sell my house, and we are constantly getting feedback from showings that our interior is "Poor" and we finally got one that gave a little more detail. House built in the 80's, and it has popcorn ceilings and to this particular person, they were a huge turn off. I can see that, as pop corn ceilings were all the rage for what, 30 years? lol. but they are terrible now.
So now we are thinking about removing them. Heard it's pretty easy, spray with water, and scrape off, and pray no other damage to the ceiling above that needs to be fixed.
I'm worried it's one of those, easy on HGTV, but in reality, a huge pain in the ass, and not easy. Anyone done it? Cheap? easy? Really appreciate it.
I'm trying to sell my house, and we are constantly getting feedback from showings that our interior is "Poor" and we finally got one that gave a little more detail. House built in the 80's, and it has popcorn ceilings and to this particular person, they were a huge turn off. I can see that, as pop corn ceilings were all the rage for what, 30 years? lol. but they are terrible now.
So now we are thinking about removing them. Heard it's pretty easy, spray with water, and scrape off, and pray no other damage to the ceiling above that needs to be fixed.
I'm worried it's one of those, easy on HGTV, but in reality, a huge pain in the ass, and not easy. Anyone done it? Cheap? easy? Really appreciate it.
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I removed all the popcorn ceilings in my house, it is easy. Just get it pretty wet, take your time, and then be prepared to plaster it all up. Typically, when they put popcorn texture on a ceiling, they don't spend a lot of time on the plastering, so you'll have some drywall repair to do before you can paint.
But, really? That's what is turning people off? Are your bathrooms from the 80s? Your kitchen? Your flooring? That seems like not a big enough thing to be consistently getting that feedback.
But, really? That's what is turning people off? Are your bathrooms from the 80s? Your kitchen? Your flooring? That seems like not a big enough thing to be consistently getting that feedback.
I've never done it, but I've seen it done before. You'll need to scrape, possibly respackle in places, and then repaint.
If you want, you can post some pictures of some of the main rooms (living room, kitchen, dining room) and give you some ideas on how to cheaply update the home.
If you want, you can post some pictures of some of the main rooms (living room, kitchen, dining room) and give you some ideas on how to cheaply update the home.
Crone
Bronze Baronet of the Realm
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Well the consistent feedback is a "poor" interior, but they never tell us why. We finally got 1 feedback regarding the popcorn ceilings. While it may not be a huge turnoff to everyone, I'm sure getting rid of them couldn't hurt. I doubt there are people out there loving on those popcorn ceilings. haha.
Nothing has been remodeled in the house, so it's all original, and just been maintained. Not really that terrible, and I'd say there isn't really 1 thing that is omg you gotta get rid of that, but just things are a bit dated. It doesn't have that "new" and "remodeled" look to it.
I'll see about making an album somewhere like on Flickr, so I can show you guys the house. Thanks a lot!
Nothing has been remodeled in the house, so it's all original, and just been maintained. Not really that terrible, and I'd say there isn't really 1 thing that is omg you gotta get rid of that, but just things are a bit dated. It doesn't have that "new" and "remodeled" look to it.
I'd just post the zillow listing that has 30+ pictures, but then everyone would know where I live and I'm scared! lol
I'll see about making an album somewhere like on Flickr, so I can show you guys the house. Thanks a lot!
Oldbased
> Than U
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Popcorn texture comes in 2 kinds of jobs. One being you look at it and it will come off, mud out the seams/nail holes some, sand, paint. The other being where it was done right, which is actually rare. This is where it was primed good prior and had ceiling paint mixed into the mixture when spraying, creating a better bond and thus making it harder to remove.
With the first you can almost dry scrape it with a putty knife to remove it. It WILL be messy, imagine how much more so if you have to wet it down.
With the second you will have to moisten it up with a sponge or sprayer and do sections at a time.
Either way keep in mind the goal is to take as much off as you can, without gouging the hell out of the drywall behind it. If it was sprayed on without priming/paints mixed in, the only real place it will probably be stuck well is the tape seams.
Try to use plastic first but if you do end up needing metal file the corners of the knife rounded. Start out with a 8in or so, if it is still too much go down to a 4.
Happy messing.
With the first you can almost dry scrape it with a putty knife to remove it. It WILL be messy, imagine how much more so if you have to wet it down.
With the second you will have to moisten it up with a sponge or sprayer and do sections at a time.
Either way keep in mind the goal is to take as much off as you can, without gouging the hell out of the drywall behind it. If it was sprayed on without priming/paints mixed in, the only real place it will probably be stuck well is the tape seams.
Try to use plastic first but if you do end up needing metal file the corners of the knife rounded. Start out with a 8in or so, if it is still too much go down to a 4.
Happy messing.
Crone
Bronze Baronet of the Realm
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Ya, it's a huge mess either way Olebass. I appreciate the information. I've created a Flickr album with pictures, and would love any suggestions, or feedback. I believe I've changed the settings so that this should work for everyone without signing in?
Flickr: helpmesellmyhouse's Photostream
Let me know if not. Thanks again for the help!
Flickr: helpmesellmyhouse's Photostream
Let me know if not. Thanks again for the help!
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Dunno, man. Doesn't look so bad on the inside to me. Nice kitchen, nice big soaking tub. Everything looks clean, and relatively uncluttered. The ceilings aren't super, but shouldn't be a serious deterrent from someone buying it. If you have it priced right, that thing will sell.
I'm jealous of your cacti. They're huge.
I'm jealous of your cacti. They're huge.
Nice house. Not really much you can do. I don't consider that poor interior. Then again, I don't know what the comps are in the area. But that looks just fine to me.
The only other thing I can notice is that there really isn't any finishing details in the house. No trim/window casings. No crown molding. None of which is a big deal when buying a home so I don't get that.
The only other thing I can see is the carpets and the tile in the kitchen. Kitchen cab/counter look nice though.
I duno, I guess the popcorn ceilings would be the only thing. Honestly thats a pretty big job. It's all over the place. Good luck with that.
It's a much nicer home than mine was when I bought it. My house was built in '63 though.
The only other thing I can notice is that there really isn't any finishing details in the house. No trim/window casings. No crown molding. None of which is a big deal when buying a home so I don't get that.
The only other thing I can see is the carpets and the tile in the kitchen. Kitchen cab/counter look nice though.
I duno, I guess the popcorn ceilings would be the only thing. Honestly thats a pretty big job. It's all over the place. Good luck with that.
It's a much nicer home than mine was when I bought it. My house was built in '63 though.
Falstaff
Ahn'Qiraj Raider
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Carpets and tile in kitchen are the two big things that I could see people complaining about as they definitely look dated (besides popcorn ceiling). Not sure what to tell you though... you could spend 10k updating and hope to sell the house for 10-20k more or just lower the price and hope someone who doesn't like it will just buy it and modify it on their own.
New flooring and tile is easy to do in a new home. You can easily get people in there to do the work for you. Popcorn ceilings are a bitch though.
Crone
Bronze Baronet of the Realm
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Built in 1986, and not much has been done to it. I believe the granite counter tops were put in right before we bought it in 2011. Other than that, we threw some paint around a bit, you can see in the living room/dining room, but the rest is that tan color through the whole house. We did replace all the appliances in the kitchen over the last couple years.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but the only thing I can think is that they see it has old single pane windows, and it doesn't have any remodel. Getting rid of the popcorn ceilings, and repainting the entire house would "spruce" it up a bit, but that's the only things. New carpet would probably help 2. We have 2 small dogs that have torn it up a bit, but nothing major.
Ugh, annoying these realtors! haha. Thanks a lot for the feedback. Puts me at ease that there isn't some obvious flaw in my house I was missing.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but the only thing I can think is that they see it has old single pane windows, and it doesn't have any remodel. Getting rid of the popcorn ceilings, and repainting the entire house would "spruce" it up a bit, but that's the only things. New carpet would probably help 2. We have 2 small dogs that have torn it up a bit, but nothing major.
Ugh, annoying these realtors! haha. Thanks a lot for the feedback. Puts me at ease that there isn't some obvious flaw in my house I was missing.
Oldbased
> Than U
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All right Crone. Being a remodeler all my life, first let me say that is a beautiful home. The popcorn actually matches the style of the house and I RARELY ever say that. I hate popcorn.
I would not remove it. I would however paint a few of those rooms and replace the carpet in that green bedroom.
The bathroom color is not bad, but it is NOT a bathroom color at all. You need something softer in the bath. Maybe a lighter earth tone, but I am going with a light modern grey.
These colors got to go.
image | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
image | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
And most of all this color:
image | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
You know how we joke too much brown, you are living it.
I would even paint the ceiling in some of those rooms, white in bedrooms with a touch of grey( it will still look white, it is for coverage issues and softer tone ) and in main rooms I would go 2 shades lighter than the wall choice of the same charts. This creates accents and modernizes the appearance.
USE FLATS. A good quality flat such as Behr Premium Ultra. First flat hides imperfections, and with the colors and quality these days gives a much better room appearance. They are even washable to some extent now.
I would not remove it. I would however paint a few of those rooms and replace the carpet in that green bedroom.
The bathroom color is not bad, but it is NOT a bathroom color at all. You need something softer in the bath. Maybe a lighter earth tone, but I am going with a light modern grey.
These colors got to go.
image | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
image | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
And most of all this color:
image | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
You know how we joke too much brown, you are living it.
I would even paint the ceiling in some of those rooms, white in bedrooms with a touch of grey( it will still look white, it is for coverage issues and softer tone ) and in main rooms I would go 2 shades lighter than the wall choice of the same charts. This creates accents and modernizes the appearance.
USE FLATS. A good quality flat such as Behr Premium Ultra. First flat hides imperfections, and with the colors and quality these days gives a much better room appearance. They are even washable to some extent now.
Popcorn fucking sucks. Dick. Such a huge mess. It is a serious workout for the arms too. I would happily pay someone to do it if I ever had the need again.
Oldbased
> Than U
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Exactly, which is why I suggested he keep it but tone it to the walls in a modern color( like a light grey ).
The thing about his house is the design was ahead of it's time for 80's. Lots of large windows, open feel to it. Now it just needs modern more futuristic colors. He has the space, the light and layout and while those colors are not bad, they are not SELLING colors.
I noticed a sheen on the popcorn he has, this tells me it was at least painted at some point and thus probably somewhat sealed.
The issue painting popcorn is if you roll over it too many times it starts to come off and then you have to patch it anyways. Roll once, let dry and cure then again if needed. Using a high quality paint makes it a 1 coat affair however if you go shades light enough. Flat will take away that sheen I saw that does make the current popcorn ugly.
The thing about his house is the design was ahead of it's time for 80's. Lots of large windows, open feel to it. Now it just needs modern more futuristic colors. He has the space, the light and layout and while those colors are not bad, they are not SELLING colors.
I noticed a sheen on the popcorn he has, this tells me it was at least painted at some point and thus probably somewhat sealed.
The issue painting popcorn is if you roll over it too many times it starts to come off and then you have to patch it anyways. Roll once, let dry and cure then again if needed. Using a high quality paint makes it a 1 coat affair however if you go shades light enough. Flat will take away that sheen I saw that does make the current popcorn ugly.
Crone
Bronze Baronet of the Realm
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Oh yes Olebass, I'm living in too much brown. It's like I'm in real life Vanguard... That brown color you see all over, was painted baseboards to ceiling, the entire 100% of the house was in that color. The living/dining room you can see we painted over, and the green room is our babies "jungle" theme room which is why it's green. Don't like the green?!!?
awww
Painting and replacing carpet in the whole house would probably do wonders for it's appeal, but not sure I want to go that far. I appreciate the suggestions. Going to be talking to the wife to see what we can do.
Painting and replacing carpet in the whole house would probably do wonders for it's appeal, but not sure I want to go that far. I appreciate the suggestions. Going to be talking to the wife to see what we can do.
Yeah and my popcorn should have been the "easy" variety. I wouldnt change shit unless you are trying to get top dollar vs your comparables. If it just plain wont sell for a year, then scrape the popcorn, skip the ceiling, repaint, and refloor it and it will.
Oldbased
> Than U
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Well if you read my second post you'll see why I said it was too much brown for selling but not for living.Oh yes Olebass, I'm living in too much brown. It's like I'm in real life Vanguard... That brown color you see all over, was painted baseboards to ceiling, the entire 100% of the house was in that color. The living/dining room you can see we painted over, and the green room is our babies "jungle" theme room which is why it's green. Don't like the green?!!?awww
Painting and replacing carpet in the whole house would probably do wonders for it's appeal, but not sure I want to go that far. I appreciate the suggestions. Going to be talking to the wife to see what we can do.
Personally I have almost that exact same green in my kitchen and love it, but I wouldn't try to SELL it that way.
It wouldn't take much cost( especially since you can paint obviously ) or time but I would guarantee much more interest, but hey what do I know
