Larger projects such as loft conversions, converting a garage or adding a conservatory may reap high rewards if you have the time and money. However, small things can make a surprising difference too and we’ve also highlighted some things to avoid.

Before you start thinking about putting your house on the market, it’s worth taking stock and making any alterations that would give you a better chance of achieving your asking price. Whatever you choose to do, it is a good idea to speak to a local estate agent about the sort of features that make the most difference when selling in your area.

10 top tips to help you sell your home

1. REDECORATE
Redecorating is the most popular home improvement and adding a lick of paint or doing some general maintenance to fill cracks and holes can be done at a low cost. Neutral colours are most appealing to house buyers and can go a long way to giving your home a new lease of life.

2. FIX SUPERFICIAL DEFECTS
While unlikely to be the clinching factor in a house sale, small problems and defects can create an impression of a house being run down or not well cared for. Bigger issues (like damp) should not be covered up as they will show on a survey and come back to haunt you later on.

Things to look out for include:

• peeling paint
• dirty walls, especially near door frames and light switches
• dripping taps
• squeaky floors, doors or stairs
• mouldy sealant in kitchens or bathrooms
• limescale build-up on kitchen and bathroom fittings
• badly fitted laminate flooring
• broken lightbulbs

3. THE FRONT DOOR
First impressions count and the front door of your home can say a lot about the rest of the house to first-time viewers. If you cannot afford to replace the door, make sure it looks new by giving it a power wash or fresh coat of paint. Even a new doorknob, house number or name plaque can help.

4. DECLUTTER
Never underestimate a tidy, clean room and pay special attention to high impact rooms such as the kitchen and bathroom. You should also consider whether there’s too much furniture in each room as it can make the property feel smaller.

5. HEATING AND LIGHTING
If you’re not at home, preset the heating to come on ahead of a scheduled viewing. Potential buyers will want to know that your central heating works well and feel comfortable in your home if it’s cold outside. Good lighting will also be essential on a drab day so having lamps on in dark corners will help. It’s better for the viewing to take place in daylight but if a potential buyer is coming after dark then turn any outside lights on.

6. GARDEN APPEAL
A well-designed garden can add a great deal of value, it should feel like an extra space for entertaining or relaxing, rather than an expanse of grass. It’s essential to trim borders, clear pathways and cut back any overgrown trees or bushes, particularly if they block direct sunlight into the property.

An area of decking creates a sense of bigger usable living space and three per cent of homes sold in 2019 were even found to have a summerhouse in the garden, giving owners more space to relax and entertain in the brighter weather.

7. PROBLEM PETS
If you have a pet, make sure they are confined to one room (such as a utility room or the garden) or leave them with a friend if you can. Animals can detract attention away from your property and potential buyers may be allergic. It’s also advised to air out the property for a few hours prior to the viewing incase of pet odours you’ve become too accustomed to.

8. DOUBLE GLAZE THE WINDOWS
Noisy roads can impact the value of a property. Double glazing will help keep the noise out and will also help retain heat. Any home improvement which moves your Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) up a band could add thousands to the sale price.

9. MAKEOVER THE KITCHEN
Kitchens are often the main focus for many buyers, it may be the first thing they look to replace or pay more for if a property has one they like. You may not be able to afford a whole new kitchen but, for a relatively small budget, painting units or replacing cupboard handles or doors are great alternatives. Good lighting and clutter-free, clean surfaces will also make a big difference.

10. FRESH BATHROOMS
In the bathroom, re-grouting, eliminating all limescale and replacing taps are a good option. Bathrooms need to look fresh and hygienic, so paint the walls a neutral shade and ideally add a new shower curtain or a standard glass screen. In 2019, new bathrooms were fitted in 29 per cent of homes which sold that year so could be the key to selling fast and earning more.

Bigger projects which add value to your home

Big projects like loft conversions, adding a conservatory or converting a garage are big projects with big rewards. In fact, 22 per cent of homes sold in 2019 had an extension added; increasing a property’s value and making them more appealing to buyers. In some areas of the country, the ability to park close to your front door comes at a huge premium. You are sure to increase the value if you have the room to add off-street parking.

If you can’t afford an extension or conversion, it might be worth obtaining planning permission to do so at a later date. You would have to spend money on drawing up the designs and getting a survey, but it would remove a big element of doubt from a potential buyer’s mind if they know the council has already approved an extension.

Don’t devalue your home

SWIMMING POOLS
Swimming pools are not generally considered an attractive house feature in the UK. They’re expensive to maintain, use up a lot of space and the UK weather plays a part meaning that for a lot of people they are more fuss than what they’re worth and can deter potential buyers. If your property has an outside swimming pool, especially one that is run down, you might want to consider filling it in.

If you’re looking to sell your home and need advice on how to maximise saleability, Asif Kola will be able to guide you through the process and help ensure your property ticks all the right boxes for potential buyers. Choosing the right estate agent will have a big impact on how quickly you sell your house, and at what price.

Source: PropertyMark