If you are thinking about selling your home, there are many simple improvements you can make to increase the value of your house before it goes to market.
First and foremost, it is best to prepare and clean the home and do any DIY jobs and decorating to make it attractive to prospective buyers. If you know what you are doing or have actually done small renovations before, doing it yourself will save you a lot of money in the process. Just make sure you have the right tools for the job. You can start with BestofMachinery to get themThe next step will be to seek an estate agent and mortgage broker, getting your head around the rules, paperwork, and process you need to go through. Finally, you will be ready to start hosting some viewings. This is where most people start to slip up, with the little issues around their home going unnoticed to them but being obvious to guests. Check out these home improvements before selling your home.
- Clean up mess and dirt
Make sure you hoover and dust every nook and cranny before you even consider putting the house on the market. You might want to invest in a local cleaner to do a deep clean. You might also consider cleaning the carpets professionally while you are there of any tea or red wine stains. Clean the skirting boards and windowsills and clear any cobwebs.
- Declutter
Any prospective buyers will be put off by a messy house. Round up all your clutter, if it gives you no joy then either sell it on Facebook Marketplace, bag it up for a local charity or put it out of sight in the garage. Minimise excessive furniture and aim to have all your shelves half empty. You might consider adding a few plants to create an ambience. Hide any children’s toys as they can make a house look untidy.
- Decorate and make minor repairs
Make sure you refresh your house with a lick of paint to hide any messy handprints, child drawings or smears, fill in any holes from nails and fill in any cracks in the ceiling, flakes in paint before you present your house to any prospective buyers.
- Window replacements
Window replacements can be expensive but they’re also what adds value to a house. Double-glazing is considered today’s standard for most buyers unless the building is in a Conservation Area.
- Renovating rooms
Improving the rooms you have will most likely have upfront costs, but could add tens of thousands to the overall house price when it comes to selling.
For example, you might want to put in a new bathroom. It’s more likely that with an older house you would consider renovating the bathroom to give it a more modern look. Save money by getting the materials yourself before getting a tradesman or handyman to fit it. You can also install a self-contained sanicompact toilet. This toilet is easy to install and does not require special maintenance, perfect for adding value to your property.
- Extend the kitchen
The kitchen is the first place buyers look at and imagine themselves in so you might want to consider renovating the kitchen if yours is old or tired or increase its size with an extension.
Extending the kitchen means you gain valuable space and can also improve the layout of your house. Again, shop for the materials and get someone to fit the kitchen for you to make some savvy savings.
- Conversions
You might want to add more space and rooms to the house to increase it. A new conservatory can be an attractive addition to the house and add thousands to the asking price. An extension from the on the house can add additional living space, which can add thousands to your asking price.
- Replace doors
The front door of your home says a lot about the rest of the house to prospective buyers. Make sure it looks new by giving it a power wash or a fresh lick of paint. If you can replace it, do so or at least invest in a new doorknob, house number or name sign. Inside the house, you might wish to make sure all the doors are clean, freshly painted and all match each other too.
- Solve structural problems
Structural work is the most expensive work required but they are essential for satisfying surveying works.
Examples of structural defects include:
- A sagging or leaking roof
- Structural cracks to walls
- Rising damp
- Rotten joists or roof timbers
- Broken roof tiles
- Collapsed floor/slab
- Get gardening
You might want to landscape your garden before presenting your house to prospective buyers. A well-presented or thought out garden could be a deal-breaker when it comes to selling. Make sure the lawn is well mown, has tidy borders and pruned hedges. You might even want to add a few plants to brighten the garden up a little too.
