Carpet the bedrooms?

Question

I’m finishing a full house renovation in the Philadelphia area. The house is 1600 sq ft ranch and will be listed for $400k. I plan to put luxury vinyl throughout the main living areas. I plan to do the master bedroom in vinyl also, because it’s right off the living room and has an exterior door to the back yard. The other 3 bedrooms are on the other side of the house. My question is: do I put carpeting or vinyl in the three bedrooms? Historically, the investor flips that I have seen have carpet in the bedrooms but I think designs have changed.

Bill J Fay · Answer

I would follow the comps in your area. I like your reasoning for the primary bedroom. LVP makes sense. Since it's a flip, you may be able to get away with carpet in the other bedrooms to save you time and money. Make sure that is consistent with the comps though.

Alecia Loveless · Answer

@Cathy Waslenko Anderson I am in Northern New England so an entirely different market and I do not know your areas local trends. Hopefully some people in PA will respond.

In my area we are putting in LVP as much as possible on mid range rentals and flip properties because it’s easier to clean, maintain, and for its durability. The better quality stuff has lost that clicking clack sound some of the early stuff had.

I feel if someone wants to they can put down a nice area rug for a good sized room bought online in the price range of $45-85. Or more expensive if they want to. That way you can customize and change your rooms up often with new rugs and not spend much money.

We’ve settled on one brand and color my contractor likes from Home Depot that’s mid range priced and is easy to work with and looks elegant. It’s going in all our units now.

It sounds like you’ve got one picked out already.

My vote is yes to LVP.

Alan Asriants · Answer

Hey Cathy! Truth is, it all depends. Quality of carpet/vinyl, what area, and how the home currently feels.

Vinyl can feel "cheap" and "cold"

So having a nice carpet in bedrooms can warm up the home and make it feel cozier.

Reach out anytime! Happy to bounce off some ideas!

Chris Webb · Answer

I am in VA and I do LVP, it is similar in price and it will last longer.

Kyle Ebersole · Answer

Hey Cathy, I'm in Lancaster so not far from you! I would definitely go LVP if your going for that price point. In this area, people love that look!

Alan F. · Answer

Bill nailed, COMPS. Flipping is a business, forget about trends, what others do etc.

Rodney Sums · Answer

I'd do carpet if:

it's a sellers market and the increase sales price from doing laminate throughout is the same or greater than the cost of doing it.

for example.  Let's say with carpet in bedrooms  you can get 400k. If you do laminate throughout and can get 405k....but it costs 5k more do do througout vs carpeted bedrooms..there may be no benefit.  If you could get 405k but it only costs 2.5k more to do throughout, then it's worth it

I'd do laminate throughout if  having carpet  keeps you on the market longer, theres lots of competition with no carpet, carpet undesired in your market, or you make less money by doing carpet

Cathy Waslenko Anderson · Answer

For clarification this is for a fix and flip, not a rental.  But I do appreciate the advice.  I found a great deal at Floor and Decor for high-end, waterproof vinyl. Thanks!

Monica Williams · Answer

Hi @Cathy Waslenko Anderson like everyone has been saying most people are steering away from carpet. It requires a lot more upkeep and even though it might be the cheaper route, cleaning and/or replacing after every tenant will add up. I'm an agent that works with investors and I tell all of them to go with vinyl flooring or hardwoods. Good luck with your renovation!

Eliott Elias · Answer

Vinyl is going to be more expensive initially, in the long run, it’s going to save you a lot of money. Avoiding replacing the carpet every time a tenant moves out.

Carpet the bedrooms?

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