Since the lockdown and the resulting recession, homeowners have been suffering from changes to their house value.
As a homeowner, house value is hugely important, and whether you want to increase yours so you can sell this year for a better price or be able to build that value up for the next few years, we’ve put together some handy tips on how you can boost your properties’ value.
Resolve any issues a survey might uncover
Most homes will have some small issues that need to be resolved, from a quick redecoration to repairs of major problems. When you sell, your buyer will have a survey carried out on the property to ensure that there are no issues that they should be aware of before going ahead with the purchase. If your property has a problem that would be highlighted on a survey, such as any structural damage, damp, or Japanese knotweed. Any house that does suffer from an issue like this will automatically drop in value, so resolving them will help to increase your value straight away.
Adding a bedroom
The best way to increase market value is to add in another bedroom, which can boost you by up to 20%. It’s important to remember that when adding in a bedroom, you need to make sure that you are doing it in the right way and increasing value rather than actually taking away from your property. This can happen if you take a large double bedroom and turn it into two small bedrooms, as this can be less desirable. Ideally, adding a bedroom can come from either extending the house or converting a garage or loft, to give you more space without changing the original bedrooms. With this, make sure to abide by all regulations, especially when converting a loft. If you don’t, you may find that you have to remove the extension and cost yourself a huge amount doing so with no payoff.
Update the bathroom
More and more homeowners look for a luxurious bathroom when they house hunt, so spending some time giving yours a spa-like feel can do wonders when selling your house. A new bathroom can dramatically increase your property value, and where possible, it’s recommended to have both a shower and a bath, whether they’re together or separate. This opens up the options for your buyers and avoids having someone put off because they prefer one over the other. Fresh white suites are the most popular, and if you’ve got an old-fashioned bathroom with avocado green or peach suites, you’ll likely find that this puts your viewers off. Refreshing the bathroom with some new tiling and flooring can make the room look like new, and increase the interest in your viewers.
Kerb appeal
If the front of your property isn’t in the best condition, anyone going past will likely assume that the interior is in a similar state. Kerb appeal is a hugely important aspect of your house, with a big percentage of buyers losing interest in a property from the outside without even seeing the inside. Changing your front door is the easiest way to boost your kerb appeal, with more houses sporting brightly coloured doors that attract the eye. Colours like mustard yellow, lilac, sky blue, grey, and navy are all becoming a very popular choice, and can completely change the way that a property looks. If you’re considering changing your door to increase kerb appeal, you should try to keep in line with your neighbours, so you don’t stick out too much- you will also want to try and keep in line with the style of your house. If it’s old fashioned, you don’t want to get a very modern door, as it will look out of place.
Another way that you can increase your kerb appeal is to keep any grass and hedges well-maintained and looked after and move dustbins out of sight. Where possible, you can repaint window frames too, to brighten them and make the front of the property look more looked after.
Focus on why you bought the house
When you viewed the property, what was it that made you want to buy? It’s likely that this feature is still a great selling point, so try to make it very clear to any viewers so they can see what you did when you bought the property. This could be one certain room, especially if the house has a beautiful kitchen or dining area, or maybe it’s down to being in a desirable neighbourhood. Whatever it was that made you fall in love with the house when you first saw it, make sure that you highlight it in your listing and in your viewings, so your potential buyers feel the same.
Redecorate!
The most common but overlooked changes that homeowners should make before looking to sell their house is to redecorate it. Some houses may just need a lick of paint and a freshen up, but this will make a big difference when your viewers come to see the property. Some houses may need more, especially older houses that haven’t been updated in some time. Choosing neutral walls is best, as it will make the house look larger and cleaner, and it makes it easier for your potential viewers to imagine their own belongings in the property. It also lessens the chance of them being put off- colours are very subjective, and viewers can become uninterested in a house for the smallest reason, including not liking the current décor. Some viewers will be able to imagine the house decorated in their own taste, but having a neutral base makes this much easier.
Overall, there are all sorts of improvements that you can make to your property, giving you the freedom to decide which you want to move forward with. If you’re making improvements to sell, you should make sure that you have a budget in mind, to ensure that you’re not putting more money into the property than you’ll receive in profit when you sell.
Even with all of these improvements, selling a house can be an incredibly slow process, which is why some homeowners choose to go to quick sale companies. Whatever the reason for your sale, you can choose the best path for you to sell your property and be able to enjoy a fresh start in your dream home.
