The process of getting your house ready to sell can be daunting for a lot of people. There is a common misconception that you have to spend thousands of pounds in repairs to make it stand out to buyers, but this isn’t always the case.
The property market is at an all-time high with the value of homes in England having increased by 80% over the last decade. With Brits going back to remote working and the rise of the Omicron variant, there is uncertainty in how this will impact the value of properties in 2022. After recently being featured on YourHomeStyle, we have put together 6 simple ways that can help you achieve the best possible deal for your home at different price points.
1. Do more for less
If you have a smaller budget, DIY jobs such as painting, fixing cracks and broken doorknobs and replacing carpets, can be done affordably and don’t require much expertise. In addition, something as simple as tidying and decluttering costs little to nothing and will instantly make your house more appealing. When each room looks made for its intended purpose, buyers can better envision themselves using that space. Did you know that unpleasant odours are one of the main reasons that put off potential buyers? This can easily be fixed by doing deep cleans and putting out candles or fresh flowers.
2. Kitchen and bathroom
A clean and tidy kitchen and bathroom are the key to attracting buyers, no matter how the rest of the property looks. A kitchen refurb can add at least 5% to your property’s value. Even if you don’t have the budget for doing a full renovation, there are simple steps you can take to make these spaces appear more modern by replacing old and tired cupboards and wiping down visible surfaces. In the bathroom, changing an old shower curtain can also make the biggest difference.
3. Make the outside look as good as the inside
Kerb appeal is just as important as the interior, as many buyers form their initial impression on the property based on its exterior appearance. Cleaning your outdoor spaces by mowing the lawn and trimming overgrown bushes, adding some outdoor lighting, and giving a fresh coat of paint to the outside walls, can make your home much more inviting to guests when they first walk in.
4. Get planning permission
Securing planning permission is a cheaper alternative if you don’t have the budget for building an extension or making other large-scale renovations. It costs £400 to apply and can increase the value by as much as 10%, depending on the property’s location, when permission was obtained and how long it has left, and the extent of the work covered in the permission.
5. Appeal to all kinds of buyers
One of the best ways for buyers to visualize themselves in the property is to give the illusion of greater space. The use of neutral colours and basic furniture as well as the storing away of personal belongings such as family photos during viewings, can help reach a wider scope of people while maximising your home’s full potential without being too overpowering.
6. Adding an office space
With hybrid and working from home schemes becoming the new norm for most companies, a dedicated home office space will continue to be a top priority for homebuyers in 2022. Only a third of garage owners actually use it to store their car. So, by converting your garage space or even a spare bedroom into an office you could be utilising the space much more effectively while also maximising the value of your home.
Once you’ve ticked these factors off your list, you should be ready to sell your house! And if you need help with the complicated task of listing your property on the market, sign up to Moveable and we can help you through the process, step by step!