Quick Ways to add Value to your Property
We are going to take a look at some quick and easy actions that you can take in order to increase both the appeal and the value of your property. I would like to say first that these are nothing more than guidelines and effectiveness of each and all will be down to many other factors such as your style of property, region, price range and more. Another important point to consider is that we are looking at these in relation to the buyers opinion on your property rather than the estate agent – Most times an estate agent (prior to valuation) will have an indication to the value of your property from past similar / local sales or having done a quick research of what prices are doing on current live listings.
For most of us, our property is our home and we all live in very different ways inside our four walls. From single people to growing families, we can see minimalistic examples to those simply ramped full of family members and personal effects. Selling a property is a most stressful time and during the period when viewings take place you may very well have to present your property in a way which is very different to how you live.
One thing we can all agree on is that we want to best price possible for our property, likewise for the estate agent acting on your behalf. Many elements that effect property prices we can not dictate from size of property / plot to the neighbourhood, from demand to economic climate – What we can do though is present our property in it’s best possible light so to increase its desirability.
Here are some quick ways to add value to your property:
- Declutter: We all have the urge to store things away and some even to hoard. When it comes to selling a property we must consider, especially within compact style property, that space is ever so important. Sometimes it is hard to imagine how your own furniture will fit in to a room when there is double the amount already flooding the floor area – Buyers like to imagine themselves living in your property, allow them to breathe and feel the space your property offers. You can simply move things (temporarily) out to the garage or if it is a few boxes you can not find any space for then place them in to the boot of your car (which will ideally be parked up the road)!
- Clean / Fresh: Present your property like a show home and this means, even for property with a lot of footfall, attempting a mini spring clean before that important viewing. Dirty carpets, cluttered kitchen work tops, grubby baths or that typical teenager bedroom with dirty clothes scattered about – sort out the eye sores and tidy up the mess! Do not forget freshness in smells too!
- Garden Maintenance: From cutting the grass to weeding the patio area. A couple of days work in the garden can increase the appeal of your property and especially if you put a touch of personality to your outside space from blooming flowers (depending on season) to that comfy looking chair capturing the warm rays of the sun.
- DIY Jobs: If there are some basic DIY jobs to do around the house, especially those in plane sight, then get them sorted! Remember, if you can see them then those coming to view your property will spot them easily too and mark down the value in their mind that they put on your house – No one likes to move in to a property with a list of things to do.
- Fresh décor: From a lick of paint to a few drops of wall paper, even if you are looking to add some fresh furniture – Look at he décor of your property and ask yourself if a change of character is needed. Freshen up chipped / flaky paint, strip away old fashioned (especially woodchip) wall paper, add extra lighting (floor lamps / table lamps), rid of that chucky TV and mount a new flat screen to the wall and so much more.
- Apply for planning permission: You may not be considering any major changes to your property, though by applying for planning permission such as for extensions / outbuildings, you can add value / appeal to your property.
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