Not everyone is thinking about how much extra profit they will make when they sell. Of course it's still worth getting a kitchen or bathroom done if you have the money. If it's going to make living in the property better for the owners then it's worth doing.

Paul, Perth, Australia

I coudn't agree more, fitting 'new' kitchens and bathrooms, other than those in the most dilapidated state, to sell a house is really a waste of money. I have moved 4 times in 12 years and have replaced the kitchen and bathroom to suit our own taste on each occasion. Better to just re-decorate.

pw, Croydon, uk

Unbelievable

If I want a nicer bathroom or kitchen I'll buy one thank you very much.

The vested interests have completely lost touch with reality and what houses are really for i.e. living in.

Gareth Jones, Dusseldorf, Germany

As a Central London estate agent I agree that this article is a load of old tosh. The key to selling a property is to make it look better value than the others, and keeping it in taste with the mass market demand will help this. You can carry out these improvements much more cost effectively too.

Tom Harvey-Bolton, London,

Um, what about improving you home because you want to live in it and enjoy the improvements that you have made, for many years to come. Any financial benefit to the house price considered an added bonus.

I know this is an alien concept for the greedmeisters, but you should try it some time.

MikeTheCynic, Taunton, UK

Belive it or not, for many people a house is not just a (long-term) investment, it is also a home.

Not every penny spent on improvements is viewed as an exercise in capital growth, but is often done for personal preference or as a cheaper alternative to moving from a much loved home.

Simon, London,

So estate agents are urging sellers not to improve their homes? And then, sellers don't have to worry about buyers being fussy in the current market? Oh dear. No wonder estate agents get a reputation for not being very bright.

Barry, London, UK

I have been in the kitchen industry for 22 years, and people can feel assured that the average value of kitchens is no where near £18,000. It is more likely to be around 6,000 - 7,000. It is also proven that newly fitted kitchens sell houses. Is that not the real issue here?

JONATHAN, Crewe, Cheshire

Be serious, look at some of the prices quoted here.

£18,700 on a new kitchen - custom built out of marble?
£14,000 on a garage - an airconditioned double?

£20,000 has covered me for a whole house, bathroom, kitchen, re-wire, windows, boiler, driveway and all rooms decorated, all good quality.

Chris, Wales,

Common sense at last, instead of buying a place that has a new kitchen that is not to your taste, you may be able to buy the house cheaper and choose your own.

diana, derby, uk