Here is some advice:
Consult an accountant about whatever deductions might be allowed with taxes in prepping a house for sale.

Consult an experienced Realtor, have that person look at the house and suggest (based on experience) what might work best for you AND any potential buyer. You realtor might suggest a credit to the buyer for upgrades in the kitchen; that just might make a difference - or not!

Nowadays, most tradesmen are extremely careful about not making more problems that existed. They don't want their name besmirched. If you tell them what YOU want done and they balk, talk to another businessman.

I wouldn't make any changes. The people who are going to look at a 1960's original condition house are most likely going to be gutting it anyway. They are just looking at location, size and structure, not the finishes.

Refinishing an entire floor is a big project. I doubt you would make the money back. I would just make sure it's clean and uncluttered and work from there.

Good luck! I recently visited Portland and loved the area.

I don't think it will do much to the sales price, but might sell faster. In most cases I don't think you will get the money back if you renovate it. I think the hard wood floors will help sell the home. We sold our mom's house, the buyer ask to see the floors under the carpet. When he saw the real hardwood floors he bought the house. It was to be a rental and the hard floors meant he would not have dirty carpet to replace when someone moved out.

As young, first time home owners, we purchased a 60s era home that was basically in original condition. The hardwoods weren't in good shape, so they were covered by very cheap carpet. The bathrooms and kitchen were serviceable, but outdated.

What I would do would be small improvements in the kitchen and bath. If there's wallpaper in the kitchen, get rid of it and paint. If the knobs and hinges are obviously outdated, replace them with something new and cheap. I would also think about changing any faucets that look like they might be leaking, rusting, or if the finish is flaking. Again, simple and cheap.

These things won't really add to the value, but it might make those areas a bit more appealing.

Then I would get a couple of estimates about the cost of refinishing the floors and think about adding that as an allowance, so the new owners can do it when they are ready (I'm blanking on what that's called in a listing).

I always did a major cleaning, and I painted walls in rooms that needed it. I never went beyond that, and all houses did sell eventually. ;)

Moni

PS, that was 5 houses, starting in 1998

Thanks very much for taking the time to post--I appreciate it.

Is the home still occupied with furniture?

I wouldn't refinish the floors only because someone may want a different colour/type of stain. Paint it and give it a really good cleaning. I do like the idea of changing out the kitchen hardware and any faucets that don't present well.

Leave it all alone and price it accordingly. An "unretouched" 1960's house would make me drool!

Find a real estate agent in Portland to work with and follow their advice with your questions. You need information specific to the house and the neighborhood it's in. Every market is different.

Thoughts from people located all over the country, no matter how well-intentioned, really won't point you in the right direction.

I agree to get advise from a realtor. But, I think making sure the house is clean, and an over all paint job would be the minimum.

I agree with Snidely that you need specific information. In my neighborhood, my 1950's split is a tear down. So, it depends on what is happening in your neighborhood.

I had the wood floors that had been covered with carpet just cleaned and polished. This house was built in the fifties. The floors looked amazing.

Tear down a '50s house?

In a pig's eye!

They put real wood in 'em - not chipboard - the builders in those days would have disowned any who used that stuff ... or run 'em outta town!

ole joyful

When antiques were so popular someone mentioned them to Mom and her reply was, "I had antiques all of my life, I want new". I am like that, especially about homes and furniture. I lived in two homes from the 50's and I want new. I want a large home with large rooms and an open floor plan. I do not want a home cut up in small rooms. I don't have to have granite, marble and fancy showers with 100 jets aimed at me. I just want basics. As far as antique furniture goes I want dressers with center drawer guides that open and close easily that smells good.