Every seller wants to achieve maximum profit out of any home sale, a recent Halifax poll detailed that around 15% of homeowners have carried out work solely to add value. It can be as simple as a spot of gardening, or as complicated as an entire storey extension, but how do you know what’s worth doing?
Let’s start off by saying that it’s not advisable to put your house on the market before you intend on making any improvements, suddenly deciding to throw some paint around and getting some new pictures taken after a couple of months screams of desperation.
It’s best to sit down and plan. The first step is to determine some of the most important factors: Your budget and timeframe. Knowing how much you’re able to spend immediately provides clarity into what’s possible, but be sure to consult a local estate agent in regards to the ‘ceiling price’ of homes similar to your own – Just because you have the money to build an extension doesn’t always mean you should, it could end up costing in the long run.
Obviously the amount of time you have before you’re planning to sell will also dictate how much can be done. But try to give yourself a realistic timeframe to get any work done, without one work can dwindle and remain unfinished. Note that renovations normally take longer than predicted.
Now deciding to do the work yourself will save on cost, at the expense of your own time and energy. Many jobs which will update your home can be done without the need of professionals, it’s a case of personal ability. The bigger, more structural improvements demand trustworthy specialists. Personal recommendations are always your best bet to finding the right people for the job, if not ensure the company you’re planning on using is part of an official organisation such as the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).
Another point is to consider what you already have – For example if you have lots of attic space, or if there’s the possibility of fitting in off-street parking. Utilising what’s already there can sometimes half the cost of renovation.
With flicking through properties now as easy as swiping potential love interests, the first impression people get from a property is the make or break of a future purchase. Spending hours cleaning becomes irrelevant if your front gate is hanging off. Here’s our selection of inexpensive tips to turn your eyesore into eye-candy:
· Gardening – Front gardens frame the front of a home, make them inviting (or into a driveway) – Clear the back garden to maximise sought after space
· Paint! – 15% of people would pass on a property purely due to a shabby front door (Onepoll.com) – Identify areas inside and out that need attention, even fences and sheds
· Deep Clean – This should go without saying – Tidy things away and make whites white again
· Make it shine – Any metal in and around the house should be buffed to within an inch of its life, even update some features in the bathroom(s) or kitchen to match existing metals at home
Mark Hayward, Chief Executive at NAEA Propertymark shares a similar view:
“Your house will almost certainly be more attractive to buyers with some general sprucing up and cleaning, and improvements that create a sense of space, privacy and give a great first impression will increase saleability. If you’re making improvements to add value to your home, it’s important to not over-personalise the decor so it appeals to future buyers, and will allow them to adapt the property to fit their own needs.”