The Real Estate Blog

When preparing your house to list, you may have to ask yourself whether you should remove wallpaper and paint the walls, or leave the wallpaper up. Which will appeal most to buyers? I had this discussion with my dad last night. My parents' house is on the market, and the house has wallpaper in several rooms, as well as down the hall.  As much trouble as it is to remove wallpaper, smooth the walls, and repaint, it is usually worth the trouble.  The main reason is that in this market, a buyer can most likely go find a new construction  house, with all walls neutral and attractive, where they won't have to do anything to the house but move in. And while they look at your house, they'll see all of the work that needs to be done in order to make your house have their touches.  I don't believe all of the recommendations about neutralizing all bright colors, however; if your paint is tastefully done and blends well with the rest of the house, sometimes that color will be fine to leave.  Buyers like a little "character" in a house, but they don't want to live in a house that's specifically decorated in the previous owner's tastes.

My opinion on where wallpaper is okay to leave: 

If you have a nice, tasteful wallpaper in your hall bathroom, top half of your dining room with a solid paint color on the bottom, and occasionally, in the kitchen, you may be able to leave it up.  When in doubt, get a second opinion!! Have a Realtor come in and tell you how you compare with your competition, because in today's market, that's what matters!!!

If you are NOT willing to go to the trouble to remove wallpaper, make it clear to potential buyers that you are willing to have  it done for them prior to closing.  That may be enough to entice a buyer, but I strongly recommend taking it down before showing the house, for those buyers who can't see what a house can become with a little work!