When selling your home, the key aim is to secure an offer as quickly as possible and to maximise your sale price. The best way to do this is to not only price it correctly, but to make it attractive to potential buyers.
Large home improvement projects such as an extension, new kitchen, bathroom renovation or adding a conservatory may reap high rewards but are they worth doing just in order to sell your home? Small improvements are easy to do, require minimal outlay and can make a surprising difference to not only the time it takes to secure an offer but the sale price achieved.
Easy upgrades
The most popular home improvement prior to selling is to redecorate by giving your property a lick of paint and undertaking some general maintenance. Fresh paint in modern colours are a great way to give your home a new lease of life, so do not be afraid to pick up the paintbrush. Even just by painting white walls throughout you can make your home seem brighter and more spacious.
It’s important to fix all superficial defects. They may not affect the sale price but they can create an impression of a house that in in a state of disrepair and can put off certain buyers who want to do as little as possible when budgets are already stretched. Take care of peeling paint, dirty walls, dripping taps, squeaky floors, mould in the bathroom, badly fitted flooring and lights that don’t work.
If you have damp don’t cover this up, instead make plans to get this fixed as it will show in a survey.
Kerb appeal
First impressions count so ensure that the outside of your house is welcoming. The first thing you should look at is the front door of your home because it can say a lot about the rest of the house to viewers seeing it for the first time. If you cannot afford to replace the door, make sure it looks new by giving it a power wash or paint it. New door furniture can also help.
Kitchen makeover
You don’t need to replace your kitchen to give it a fresh, updated look. There are many companies out there that will replace or reface your cupboard doors, replace the tiles or the worktop. Look at what aspects are tired and dated and just change those rather than renovating the whole kitchen. If you want to do it yourself you can paint the cupboard doors and replace the handles and you could even paint the tiles. Make sure your kitchen is well lit and clean.
Bathroom makeover
In the bathroom, re-grouting, eliminating all limescale and replacing taps are advisable. It needs to appear fresh and hygienic looking, so paint the walls a neutral shade, and ideally replace a shower curtain with a new one or a simple glass screen.
Outside space
Recent research from Post Office Money showed that the garden can provide the best improvement in the value of your home (up to 77%), especially when selling in the spring or summer months. It is a cost effective way to update your home and an attractive, tidy, well-designed garden can add a great deal of value to a property. It is essential to trim borders, clear pathways and cut back any overgrown trees or bushes.
The garden should feel like an extra space for entertaining or relaxing, rather than an expanse of grass. An area of decking gives buyers a sense of having a bigger usable living space.
Energy efficient
Smart home technologies are increasingly important to buyers – look at installing a Nest or Hive heating system. If it moves your EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) up a band, it could add thousands to the sale price. Also consider multi room music platforms to add to the appeal.
Create a driveway
In some areas of the country, the ability to park close to your front door comes at a huge premium and therefore, if you have the room to add off-street parking, you are sure to increase value.
The Mortgage Hub is an independent mortgage advisor serving the greater Glasgow area. Whether you are planning to buy your very first home and need the right first time buyer mortgage, or are looking to re-mortgage due to a house move or to growing family – we understand your journey is so much more than a financial process, it’s a journey to achieve your dreams, improve your lifestyle and achieve your true potential.