Payback on wall retexture? 40 year old light stipple to knockdown

[Marian Smith]

Does paying someone to blow new knockdown on ceilings and walls make a big enough difference to justify the cost?  The current texture is not in bad shape, just dated.  

It is a 1970's house on acreage with a pool so it is worth updating.  I have been taking the popcorn ceilings down one by one and am halfway there....leaving them white and flat.  We are putting in taller baseboards and matching casing around doors and windows...and new doors to replace flush ones.  New homes in Texas are textured and I am sure it would look good to have fresh walls.  But it is a 70s house!  And occupied and we don't want to move until it sells.  The new homes in the neighborhood sell for 150-200k or 20-25% more than we are hoping for...and there have been 4 tear downs.    (And one home built next door to the existing with the intent to turn the existing into a workshop.). But I cannot see this house being torn down.

[Mike Wood]

@Marian Smith Definitely not worth the expense to texture the walls.  New houses use textures because its cheaper, as the drywall guys dont have to do a good job on the seams.  I cant imagine any buyers demanding texture on the walls (and some would prefer smooth walls).

Definitely get the popcorn ceilings down.

While I'm surprised that the new houses have such a large premium, there is not much you can do about it.  I would focus on things that buyers want like open floor plans, updated kitchen and baths, etc.  If you house has what buyers are looking for, its doubtful that everyone will want to tear it down.  But if the house is a tiny 2/1, 800ft2 cottage in an area that is building 4/3, 3000ft2 houses, then its likely wasting time, as most would be looking for the land to build the bigger house and see it as a tear down.

If you primary objective is the sell it, talk to a local realtor thats familiar with your area and see what they think.