Thinking of Selling Your Home? Here’s How To Add Some Value…
When selling your house, having a conservatory or garage can certainly add value to your property, but what really matters to buyers? And how can you make the most out of your home to reap the most benefit? Sometimes it’s the small things which make the most difference. We’re taking a look at some of the best, easiest and quickest ways to add value to your home before selling…
Redecorate and fix the small things
We’ve heard it all before, but its true that a lick of paint can make the world of difference to prospective buyers. Clean fresh walls and crisp skirting boards will help anyone to envisage themselves living there, as well as breathing a new lease of life into your home, off-white colours can make even the smallest room feel wide and expansive.
Its always best for a house to appear well cared for, so fixing any small problems will alleviate any undecided buyers misgivings. Things like broken light bulbs, dripping taps, peeling paint and mouldy sealant should all be dealt with before anyone comes through the front door.
Curb appeal
First impressions count and there is a lot to see in the initial approach to a house that are often overlooked. For a moderate cost you could add a new front door, or clean and paint your existing one. Even a new door knob, knocker and house number could make all the difference.
However your approach to the house is, driveway or garden, its important to make the most of what you have got. Paving slabs leading up to the house? Get a pressure washer and clean them thoroughly. Lawned garden? Weed and tidy.
You will only get one chance at a first impression and the perfect frontage will help a buyer to really want to see inside.
Opening up space
As you enter the building its important that you get a sense of space and light. This could be done with larger projects, knocking down walls and extending out. Having a kitchen – Dining room is extremely fashionable with open plan living popular with young families and those wishing to entertain. But if this is not within your budget and timescale, by-folding doors could add the feeling of open-plan without having masses of building work. Many consumers still have a front-room mentality. Wanting a room which is cosy and relaxing is a must for some.
Kitchen or bathroom?
Which one comes first? Kitchens are often the first thing a buyer will look at to change or personalize if they can’t imagine living with yours.
This doesn’t always mean a complete new re-fit, doors could be replaced or repainted, handles the same. A complete deep clean and painting the walls can also increase the chances of a sale. Good lighting and getting rid of clutter will ensure the buyers can see past it as your house and start to see themselves there.
Often bathrooms look tired due to faded grout and mouldy sealant. Fixing all the small bits and adding clean fresh and coordinated towels and accessories will make the room feel more inviting.
Smart living and energy efficiency
Double glazed windows and new central heating almost goes without saying, but as these are high ticket items its worth seeing how it would affect the price of the house compared with cost and mess for you. We’re all looking for ways to be more energy efficient and having smart technologies such as Hive, which gives mobile control over heating systems, is definitely something to consider. It could move your EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) up a band, it could add thousands to your sale price.
Other smart technologies like multi-room music platforms and advertising the presence of fibre optic cables in your area can be a definite pull for a prospective buyer.
Bigger projects
We all know the big ticket items which could really boost your house price like a loft conversion, adding a conservatory, converting a garage or installing a whole new kitchen or bathroom. Some estate agents will say adding a bedroom – most likely through a loft conversion – adds most value, while some will say a new kitchen is the best choice.
Whatever you decide to do will depend on your house, area and budget, so speaking to an estate agent about what sort of features will make the most difference in your area is a must.
Even if you cannot afford to do a loft conversion or extension, getting planning permission to do at a later date would add value and remove any doubt the buyers have about whether work could take place and get rid of delays that could happen in acquiring surveys and architect plans.
Think about your target buyers. Would they prefer a playroom instead of a garage? Or would that space be better served as a study?
If you’re making improvements to add value to your home, it’s important to not over-personalise the décor so it appeals to future buyers and will allow them to adapt to property to fit their own needs.
Thinking of Selling?
Now you’ve got a plan, perhaps it’s time for an accurate valuation? Open House Wigan are some of the most trusted estate agents in Wigan, operating under a true hybrid model. Contact us today for a free, no obligation valuation on your home.
