How to add value to your property

There’s nothing much you can do about your home's location, but you can add value to your property from the inside out. There are all sorts of ways to work a bit of magic regardless of budget, widening its appeal and helping it sell quickly. We arguably buy with our hearts, and there are creative ways you can help buyers fall in love with your home.

stay ahead of the Curb

In a row of terraced houses, the one with the well-thought-out colour scheme that looks clean and well-put-together stands out no question. Then there’s the window furniture. Blinds. Nets. Nothing. It’s up to you, but you can often catch your cue from the house itself, its style and therefore what it suits . Just like a person, certain colour combos are a no-no. Stylish house numbers, a wee light, a hanging basket or two – they can all enhance the curb appeal of your house and don’t cost the earth. But being too cluttered isn’t a good idea.

Sell's Kitchen

The kitchen is the beating heart of the home and, along with the bathroom, is perhaps the room that will either make or break the sale. This is the room that most people are fussiest about. Functionality and cleanliness are key, as is the aesthetic, and the best advice we can give is to keep it clean and neutral. That way it’s more of a blank canvas on which they can imagine their own kitchen vision. It’s amazing what you can do with some old cabinet doors, like giving them, and the cupboard’s insides a right good scrub. Likewise countertops. Both can be replaced too of course. How about some LEDs? Greenery? You might not be able to do much about the layout, but you could possibly improve the flow of the kitchen by removing some furniture.

amazing space

More space can mean more value. You could always get the loft floored as a start if it’s okay for a full conversion to take potential buyers a stepping stone closer to this in their mind’s eye. Open-plan layouts can create a more spacious and modern feel. But not everbody wants walls knocked down willy-nilly. Especially in older properties, where multiple rooms may be preferable and show off the character of the house rather than it being too spacious and difficult to heat. Cosy is a big consideration.

easily led

Sustainability and energy-efficient homes are key. Double or triple glazing for windows, lofts and wall insulation – you name it, you can do it. If you have the budget of course. Likewise upgrading to an energy-efficient boiler and installing smart thermostats and LED lighting. All fairly easy additions.

taps on

Again, the budget might not stretch to a full new bathroom suite, but you can sparkle things up a bit with tweaks here and there. New taps, mirrors and kinder lighting can work wonders. They’re bound to check themselves out in the mirror on the viewing. Damp issues must also be eradicated.

channel your inner titchmarsh

A quick look at property portals shows an amazing array of unkempt outside areas and gardens that would perhaps take no more than a day to fix. No need to go the full Titchmarsh. A little bit here and there will do. It'll make such a terrific difference to the pics and in person and not give a potential buyer that heavy-hearted feeling of another immediate job to do. Fences painted, grass cut, weeds dispensed with. Garden hose put away. Ditto dog’s toys. Planters can also work wonders, especially in yards.

tech-tok

A tech-savvy home might attract a few more buyers your way. We’re talking stuff like smart security systems, video doorbells, voice-activated lighting, heating, blinds, curtains lamps. You can clap your hands and the lamps clap back! It can give you that competitive edge rather than you get lost in a sea of similar properties.

bland of nod

Taste is a wonderful and fascinating thing. Neutral is the way forward but with the odd quirky/homely touch. A house stripped of all character and blanded out is enought to make viewers nod off mid visit, though, so you might stand out with a few bold touches. Lighting plays a huge part here too. Get creative.

repair for lift off

Papering over the cracks may find you out. All this dreadful weather might’ve compromised the structural integrity of your home. Do you have missing roof tiles or full gutters? Weeds springing from them, as well as being potentially hazardous, look awful in pictures. You might also wish to get the electrics checked. Rewiring, if required, might not be as costly as you think.

Pots and plans

Even if you’re not planning to extend your kitchen so that you can squeeze in more pots and pans, obtaining planning permission for potential developments can be a selling point becuase buyers see there’s scope to expand in the future.

Sources:

hoa.org.uk

which.co.uk

checkatrade.com

gov.uk

energysavingtrust.org.uk