Newsletter Articles

How to add value to your property

Every vendor wants their home to be ‘hot property’ and sell as quickly and easily as possible, whilst reaping top dollar. However this is no easy feat and may require some careful planning. Here are some ideas you should take into consideration before placing your property on the market.

If you have the time, the enthusiasm and the budget then renovating can add substantial value to your property. In order to refresh your home it’s a good idea to focus on the simple cosmetic touches that potential buyers will most look at. This includes a fresh coat of paint – consider neutral colours (you don’t want to be that house with the hideous pink bathroom). Additionally, relaying the carpet, polishing floorboards, adding new bench tops, replacing cupboard handles, mixer taps and light fittings all add value.

Just remember that the kitchen and the bathroom have the biggest affect on prospective buyers so it might be a good idea to pay extra attention to these areas.

However, not all of us have the freedom to splurge on renovations. Never fear there are still simple, cost effect ways to spruce your home up. First of all you need to stop looking at your house as your home and step into the shoes of a potential buyer. Pull up outside your property, stand there and ask yourself if you would want to go inside. If there is a front gate can it be easily opened? Has the lawn been mowed? Are flower beds neat and tidy (plant seedlings that will flower when your house is open for inspection)? Make sure your house sparkles from the outside, wash the windows, clean out the cob webs, and cut back any overgrown branches. And don’t forget the back yard, put away all tools, and if you have any pets make sure there are no nasty surprises lying around.

Then focus on the inside, it is very important to de-clutter and de-personalize. How about the carpets – could they do with a clean? If you can’t afford to re-paint then make the effort to clean off any marks and touch up cracks on your walls. As the kitchen and bathroom hold the power in the eyes of a buyer, pay extra attention to these areas. Make sure the kitchen is sparkling, put all appliances out of sight, but keep in mind that people tend to be sticky beaks, so it’s also important to keep your cupboards neat and tidy. In the bathroom put out the good towels, and only leave out one nice bottle of soap, half empty bottles can be an eyesore. Finally ensure that your house doesn’t have a smell, a bad smelling house can really put people off and lose you thousands.

Now that you have re-vamped your home, it is important to make some final touches. Make sure your house feels light and airy by allowing as much light as possible in (open curtains and turn on lights in darker rooms). Add some colour, a bowl of fruit or some fresh flowers will brighten up key rooms. Also it might be an idea to keep your house warm in winter and cool in summer. And on the day of the inspection remember to make yourself scarce taking with you any valuables and if you have any pets take them with you to, not everyone is an animal lover. Most importantly relax with the knowledge that you have turned your property into an irresistible and marketable home.