If you’re thinking about selling your home and want to maximise the value, you’re in the right place. We’re here with some different investments you can make to get your home in the best possible condition to help you maximise its potential and therefore, what you will be able to sell it for. From more cosmetic changes to some structural ones, you can pick and choose depending on your budget, however they can make a big difference when it comes to your success when you put it on the market.
Repair Any Structural Issues
The first thing you need to do, that can significantly increase the value of your home, is to resolve any structural issues. If structural issues with your property are identified during a survey, it will either result in people pulling their offers, or wanting a serious amount of money off the price. However, if you repair the structural issues yourself, it will cost you less money, you won’t have the stress of offers being submitted and then pulled, and generally it will make the process much smoother.
So, it might be worth having a surveyor come round to identify any structural problems, from cracks in the walls to roof issues, foundation problems, doors and windows, rising damp, cracks in bricks, separated walls and so much more. Getting any issues gradually fixed over time will be so much easier!
Declutter!
Something else you should do is have a good declutter. Taking images of your property and then people coming for viewings is all about them having overall positive associations with the house, and if they see lots of clutter, it will make them think that the house hasn’t been well cared for. Plus, it can make spaces look much smaller than they actually are, which will make the property feel less valuable in their eyes.
So, go through each room, and have a really good clear out of anything you don’t need. If there is any unnecessary furniture in the space, also remove this if you don’t use it, or you could even remove it temporarily if you’re planning on having professional photography soon. This is completely free and could even allow you to make some money, because you can sell items you no longer need, or of course donate too.
Redecorate For A Neutral Palette
You should also redecorate for a neutral palette. Light, bright spaces tend to look much more appealing on any photos, so if you have any very dark walls, or intense wallpapers, then it’s best to strip them and go for something more simple. When people view a house, if they see almost a blank canvas that lets the natural highlights of the house shine, then it can help them to envision what the space could look like with their own interior style.
This might take quite a bit of work, but it doesn’t have to be very expensive, as you can just get cheap paint and take your time with this, doing a room at a time over the course of a few months. The main bit to focus on is if there is anything particularly outdated or bold that might just spark something in someone’s mind when they’re viewing the house.
Focus On The Curb Appeal!
Something else that can make or break the first impression, as well as increase the value, is the curb appeal. If the garden is overgrown, the drive is uneven and the front of the house is dirty and tired, it’ll set the immediate impression that the rest of the home hasn’t been looked after. So, start by sorting out the garden if it’s overgrown, trim down bushes and trees and tidy up the flower beds.
You should also focus on the driveway, either jet washing it or considering a new drive if possible. You may also need to paint your front door and garage door, clean out the gutters, repair any fences, fix the roof and also replace hardware. This doesn’t have to cost much at all (of course if you’re doing something like replacing your drive it’ll be a bit more), but a few days of work can completely transform the curb appeal of your home.
Improve The Energy Efficiency
Something else you can do that can really help to improve the value of your house is to improve the energy efficiency of the property. More and more people want to see that a property is energy efficient, as not only does it help the planet, but it also saves them money when they’re living in it! So, doing a few things to improve the efficiency can make a big difference. This is especially the case if you are going to live in it for a while before you move, as you can benefit from the improvements as well.
Things like adding conservatory insulation, external wall insulation and roof insulation, upgrading your appliances, resealing windows and doors or replacing completely with triple or double glazing, and also considering renewable energy sources. Of course, these things aren’t cheap, but often the value they add outweighs the cost, so it’s worth speaking to local estate agents to find out whether this is the case for the eco-friendly improvements you’re considering.
Refresh The Kitchen and Bathroom
Last but not least, a good thing to do is to refresh the kitchen and bathroom. We’re not saying you should completely replace them, however making some small adjustments can really transform your house viewings. People associate kitchens and bathrooms with the most work and money, and often want to move in with them ready to use, even if they do plan to replace later down the line. So, if they’re in a good condition when it’s viewed, people will see more potential in the home.
Consider regrouting tiles and replacing shower curtains in the bathroom, then paint kitchen cupboards, replace hardware, paint the walls etc. Kitchens and bathrooms are also more common with issues like water damage restoration, so resolving any issues here is also important. These are small adjustments that can transform your kitchen and bathroom, so are absolutely worth doing!
Final Thoughts
So, there you go! From smaller changes through to significant investments to drive up the value, these are the things you should be considering when looking to improve your home ready to sell. You can work on these things gradually over time, or get everything done in a short space of time if you’re wanting to sell soon, however either way, it’ll be worth it!