If you are thinking about selling your home then it will almost certainly be more attractive to potential buyers if it has had a general spruce up.
But certain home improvement projects can reap high rewards if you have the time and money to complete them.
These projects range from full blown loft conversions to a layer of paint. We’ve put together this guide to give you an idea of how to get your home ready to sell.
Redecorate and Complete Easy Home Improvement Upgrades
Redecorating is the most obvious step, you don’t necessarily need to take on a full blown home improvement project. Giving your house a fresh lick of paint and completing some general maintenance can be a low cost task that goes a long way when it comes to making an impression.
Fresh paint in modern colours can give your home a new lease of life. It’s worth remembering that you will be selling the property so they don’t need to be colours that you like, instead think of what would work best in your space.
You should also make an effort to fix reasonable superficial defects. Although these may not be a cinching factor, they can create the impression that the house is run down or not well looked after, which may not get you far when it comes to selling. Look out for peeling paint, dripping taps, mouldy grout or sealant and badly fitted flooring.
Bigger issues such as damp should never be covered up, this will be found on the survey and could come back and haunt you later on.
Kitchen Makeovers
The kitchen is a focus for many buyers as it is such an important part of the home. Upto 65% of homeowners renovate their kitchen before selling.
If you can’t afford a whole kitchen you could always paint units, replace cupboard handles and doors, or change tap fixtures. Buyers may be willing to pay more to save themselves the hassle of choosing a home that needs a whole new kitchen.
Updating Your Bathroom
It is very important that your bathroom looks fresh and clean when viewings are conducted. Although limescale and mould aren’t signs that your bathroom is dirty per se, they can give a bad impression. So you should make the effort to get rid of these.
You may also want to paint the walls a bright shade and replace shower curtains with glass screens.
Bigger Projects
If you have the time, and money, on your hands then a bigger project can be worthwhile. This includes home improvement tasks such as loft conversions, conservatories, or installing a new bathroom or kitchen.
One survey by the NAEA Propertymark found that half of all estate agents think adding a bedroom, usually by adding a loft conversion, adds the most value. A third of estate agents thought a new kitchen was the most beneficial choice.
Whatever home improvement tasks you’re thinking of carrying out, it can be a good idea to speak to an estate agent in your local area, to get an idea of which features make the most difference when it comes to selling homes near you.
