Blog Post
Simple ways to add value to your house
De Clutter. With busy day to day lives, you can be forgiven for not seeing the clutter, but clearing it can help you to see any problem areas in your house. A cluttered and disordered house is unattractive to potential buyers. Too many personal belongings can also be off putting to people viewing the property. People like to imagine their own possessions in a house and removing some of your items for the period the house is on the market will help with this. It will also make the photographs your agent uses to market your property more attractive!
Kerb appeal. Many people decide if they are serious about purchasing a property as they pull up on the drive, so it’s important that the exterior of your house and the garden are well kept and alluring. Simple things like keeping your grass cut and hedges trimmed will instantly give your house a lift. Some potential buyers are likely to be reluctant to make an offer if they see a lot of work to do on a property. Giving the exterior of your house some attention and ensuring roof tiles and gutters are all in good order maybe prudent.
Installing new fixtures and fittings is a relatively inexpensive way of giving your house a facelift. New light switches and fittings can modernise a room. Adding extra plug sockets in these days of ever advancing technology could also be attractive to potential buyers.
Make it lighter! Don’t underestimate the power of natural light. Especially if you are trying to sell in the winter. So if you have patio doors onto your garden, clean them to take full advantage of the light. Install bright energy efficient light bulbs and neutrally decorate throughout, this will give the impression of a ‘blank canvas’ so buyers can envisage stamping their mark on the place.
Carpets and Flooring. An simple and easy way to refresh a room is to have the carpets cleaned. There is nothing more unappealing than a grubby carpet. If you have wooden floors a sand and varnish will spruce them up. If a potential purchaser thinks they will need to replace flooring, they could reflect this in any offer they might be considering.
Go Green. These days making your house as energy efficient as possible is ever more important. So much so that many estate agents will actually rate your house’s “greenness” and use this as a marketing tool. Although this may sound expensive there are relatively cheap options that can help improve the energy efficiency of your home. Purchasing loft insulation and installing it yourself, replacing light bulbs with energy efficient versions and ensuring roof tiles and gutters are well maintained will all make a difference. Although the outlay of replacing your boiler may seem daunting, this could potentially add more value to your house that it actually costs to do it.
Stage your home. Making sure you show your house at its best is crucial. A sink full of dirty dishes and a broken cupboard door is not going to do you any favours! Do those small maintenance jobs you have been putting off. A few simple soft furnishings can really liven a room up. Remember your potential buyers are going to view the whole of your house so put a fresh duvet cover on the bed and dress your windows with clean and contemporary curtains. Ensure the kitchen is clean and tidy, and hide dirty laundry!
Finally, don’t be tempted to over spend in the hope that you will re-coup costs when you sell. There is likely to be a ceiling price for your house and while comparing your property with others in the neighbourhood is wise, out pricing your property against others in the area could come back to haunt you.
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