Seven ways to help sell your home
When selling your home, you naturally want to add as much value as possible. The more someone’s willing to pay for it, the more money you’ll make. Simple.
There are many ways you could add value to your property, far too many to list on this page. However, we’ve come up with seven of what we’d consider the most impactful changes you could make. Improving, fixing, changing or adding any of these should drive your home’s market appeal. Therefore, the value will increase.
Tidy up and create space
Let’s start off easy (and free!). Tidying and cleaning your home before the photos and the viewings increase the value more than you might think. It’ll look more appealing. As well as this, potential buyers can visualise what they might do with the space. By getting their imagination working away, you can expect the competition (and value) to increase.
Well-taken, bright, appealing photos
Photos aren’t the be-all-and-end-all of selling your property. Someone can immediately tell if they turn up and it looks quite different. However, they are the initial point of contact and interest. The more individuals that enquire about your home, the more competitive the market. This might help you get closer to the asking price.
Repair structural issues
If a home survey finds structural issues, it’s a massive turn-off. Even if the buyer’s surveyor tells them it’s manageable, the seed of doubt has been planted. You’ll most likely find that your home’s value plummets because of this. People aren’t interested in buying an unsafe (or potentially unsafe) property. You’ll need to reduce the asking price if you want to sell.
Instead, you should consider repairing the damage or putting a maintenance plan in place. It’s often not as costly as people expect (although that’s not to say it’s cheap!). You’ll need specialist contractors for this. They’ll reinforce whatever needs strengthening. Once the work is done, you should receive all the evidence you need that the repairs are long-term and will last.
Ensure ventilation and damp-proofing is effective
Poor ventilation is one of the most common British housing problems. It means the humid air has nowhere to go. Instead, all this moisture settles within your home, leading to issues like damp and rot. The average buyer might not be too aware of this, but a surveyor certainly will be. It’s one of the easiest things to fix, too. Simply install efficient extractor fans in the bathroom and kitchen. It’ll probably come to around £200 or £300 for the parts and electrician labour.
You should also check the roof for problems.
If you need to reduce your home’s humidity in the meantime, consider using a dehumidifier.
Repair plumbing and electrical issues
A leaking pipe or poor electrical connection is a serious problem. Any chartered surveyor will pick up on it immediately. If you want your property to sell for maximum value, get any of these problems repaired.
Plumbing issues can, of course, lead to damp and rot. It usually spreads from the affected nearby floorboards and timber beams. Electrical complications (such as short circuits, bad earthing points, old-style plugs and poor connections) are a significant fire hazard. Buyers being put off is very understandable.
Plumbers and electricians set their own rates. Expect to pay around £50 per hour for any work you need doing. Don’t forget that the cheapest worker isn’t always the best option.
Fix any heating problems
We’re approaching winter. The UK’s citizens are currently in a precarious economic position amid an energy crisis. As such, a sound heating system will be something everyone is after. People want to be warm and don’t want to spend more than they have to on utilities.
Most homes are heated by natural gas. Consider getting an inspection done (it should be done annually anyway). Repair everything you can to make it as efficient as possible. There’s no need to break your bank account, but do what you can. It’ll be more enticing to buyers.
Replace old carpets, furnishings, paint etc.
Have you ever entered an old room with a stained carpet and musty curtains? It leaves a lasting impression, right? Now, these repairs are entirely aesthetic, but they’re so worthwhile. In reality, the buyer will likely rip up all the old stuff and replace it with things of their choice. That said, it’s all about impressions. A clean, new carpet and polished table (for example) help someone relate to the property. The more desirable it is, the more the value will be pushed up.
Keep your costs down by buying off-cuts from carpet shops. Look for second-hand curtains, tables, sofas, etc., but ensure they’re in good condition.
The benefits of getting a home survey before you sell
Home surveys aren’t just for buyers. In fact, here at GB Home Surveys, we often get called out to inspect a home on behalf of the seller. These reports can be invaluable since they provide expert insight into your property’s actual value.
Before calling a chartered surveyor, work on the list we’ve suggested above. Of course, there are hundreds more things you could consider, too. The bottom line is that the better your home’s condition, the more it’ll be worth.
Use the form to ask us about the benefits of getting a home survey as a seller. We’re always happy to have an informal chat about your needs and what works best for your budget.
