With the recent publicity over the slow property growth across the UK many, a question many agents are asked by homeowners is whether to spend money on their home prior to selling or leave it to the new owners to to personalise. We believe it’s always worthwhile doing work to your home before selling, even if it’s just a fresh up, you’d be surprised how clean and welcoming your home looks just with a lick of paint on the woodwork so here’s our tips.
Spend or Not to Spend?
Kerb Appeal
It’s always worthwhile doing work to your home before selling, even if it’s just a fresh up, you’d be surprised how clean and welcoming your home looks just with a lick of paint on the woodwork and the term Kerb Appeal may be a hackneyed Estate Agents phrase but first impressions matter. Do what you can to make the home present a good first impression. Have the garden tidy – trim your bush, cut your grass, cut back the tree. If it’s a flat have the communal front door painted, make sure the close is clean and tidy.
The garden of any house is often a major selling point, and it could potentially add between 5-10% to its value if it is exceptional. If it truly stands out, it will make the house seem unique and well kept, so it is well worth looking into ways you could improve it.
Working with a professional landscape gardener is probably the best way of ensuring you use the space wisely, as an overfilled garden may make it seem overcrowded or too high maintenance. You should keep it fairly simple, and consider the type of person who will eventually buy the house and how they might use the garden.
Redecorate
Paint woodwork and doors if you can – It all creates a first impression – you wouldn’t go for a job interview in your pyjamas, you’d have a shower, put on your smartest clothes so why not do the same for your house? The first thing a potential buyer will see is the outside of your house, so this should be your first priority when looking to add value to it. Giving your property a good makeover can make a huge difference in stimulating buyer interest and increasing the amount they are willing to pay. This could include putting in new windows. Applying a new lick of paint is also a cheap yet effective way of keeping your property looking fresh and attractive.
De-Clutter
De-clutter – we live day to day in our houses and obviously many are family homes but make sure you set out the home to its best advantage and maximise floor space. Don’t have a TARDIS room – If you’ve had the family leave home, you may have a bedroom that is now a mixed use room – part 1980’s bedroom, part officer, part “where will we stick this” room. Remember your viewer doesn’t have a TARDIS to see how good this room used to be. If necessary tear down those Duran Duran posters and the black & white posters and paint it nice neutral colours and return it to a bedroom (even splash out on some modern bedding – it may be for show but it’s worth it)
Extensions
Finally, building an extension for your house brings a great many benefits in the form of added space and functionality. A conservatory, for instance, is a great multi purpose room which adds a generous amount of space to the house, giving the buyer more options to play with.
Think about the type of extension which would suit your house, and bear in mind that it is not possible in all situations (you may need planning permission, for instance). Although they can be pricey, the value they add to your house should more than make up for the cost.
These are just a few of the many ways you can add value to your house from the outside, and there are plenty more to choose from, many of which may be better suited to your particular property. Make sure you do some further research to find out what would add the most value to your home.
There is always a balance – people are no longer fans of an avocado bathroom suite and if you can get a reasonable quote I would change it to a nice white modern one but if that would use your entire budget and you have a 1970’s kitchen and brown patterned carpets throughout perhaps a more strategic use of cash should be considered.
Recent Comments