If you are thinking of putting your property on the market, there are a few tried and tested methods of making your home more appealing to buyers. Forget building an extension or a loft conversion for now, try these surprisingly cheap and effective ideas. Some can even be done in under an hour!
Tidy & Declutter
Let’s face it. We all have clutter that shouldn’t really be there. Whether it be coats on the banister, a pile of paperwork that we promise to get sorted or a stack of books and DVDs that haven’t found a permanent home yet, we could all do with a big tidy-up from time to time. A tidy home will present your property in the best possible light.
Decluttering is key too. Hundreds of ornaments dotted around the place can make what would be a spacious room feel a little crowded. Put them in a box out of the way where they can’t be seen. Have a look at websites such as John Lewis, Debenhams or Wayfair to get an idea of how much ‘stuff’ should be on display.
After a declutter, your next port of call should be to your local DIY store for some paint! Any home gets tired with age and a lick of paint can be an inexpensive way to freshen things up.
Be sure to pick neutral colours that will appeal to the broadest group of potential buyers. Again, the websites mentioned above are a great place to get ideas on colour palettes. Also, fill in and sand any scrapes, dents or holes before painting. A freshly painted wall can highlight some imperfections.
Gloss work especially can brighten a room up.
The outside of your property may also do with freshening up. Curb appeal is vital to draw attention from buyers. I’ve even known investors painting the NEIGHBOUR’S house just to improve the curb appeal of their own property.
Refurbish The Front Door
It may sound silly, but it’s the first thing anyone coming to your house sees. And that includes potential buyers!
A wooden door can be sanded and painted or varnished to look almost new, a new letter box, doorknob/handle and some metal numbers can add character. All can be done for under £50 if you shop around. A surprisingly cheap but effective refurbishment!
For double glazed doors, a new letterbox and a good clean can also be beneficial. You can get specialised uPVC cleaners from the likes of Toolstation or Screwfix for under £5.
Give The Flooring A Spruce Up
Carpet can pick up dirt and look a little drab after a while. Let’s face it, we are in Britain and it rains for at least one third of the year! If the carpet is still in good condition, you may only need to hire a carpet cleaner for under £30. Saves spending £100s on a new carpet for a home that you will be soon be moving out of.
If tiled areas such as the kitchen or bathroom areas are not in the best of conditions after a good scrub and clean, retiling can be costly. New, modern style lino flooring is pretty good these days and a cost-effective way of bringing new life to a room for a modest outlay.
Hang Mirrors In The Hall
Most homes don’t have lavish entrance halls like you’d see on Footballer’s Wives. The majority are essentially corridors to get to other rooms in the house. Hanging a sizeable mirror will open up the space and make it look larger. Mirrors aren’t overly expensive these days, but if you want to splash out on a fancy one that’s even better as you can take it with you!
Lighting Makes Thinks Look Spacious
Brightness and space make a home look better, and good lighting is a great way to do that.
If you have a room that’s a little ‘dim’, try investing in some modern lightbulbs. Not only are they more efficient, they emit a great deal of light. What’s also great is that you can choose whether cool or warm light better suits the room.
If one bulb isn’t enough, invest in a chandelier. Depending on what you are looking for, they can range from £50 to £100s, but like the mirror, they can be taken with you when you move. Just be sure to stipulate that with the agent when listing your property (but don’t tell buyers when viewing!) and be sure they are fitted by a qualified professional.
An alternative could be to simply change a lightshade for something that allows more light through and is perhaps more modern or fitting with the property.
Do Those Odd Jobs You’ve Putting Off
There are always jobs around the house we have been putting off for another day, but if an eagle-eyed viewer spots them it could be make or break. Get those DIY jobs done, and they will have fewer things to be concerned about.
Change Door Handles
Replacing doors throughout the house can be prohibitively expensive, especially if you have to hire a skilled tradesperson to hang them all. An alternative is new door handles. They can completely change the look of a door and your house as a whole, and if you’ve freshly painted them it’ll look even better.
Don’t forget kitchen cupboards too. These little touches can make the difference and bring a little more glamour to your kitchen.
Bake Bread And Make Coffee!
It’s an old psychological trick, but it works! You also want your potential buyer to form a bond with your property. Sounds cynical? Hearts often overrule heads and when selling your house, and you want to get the best price you can.
According to a survey of 1,015 UK adults, a staggering 86% of said the smell of a house could be the difference between putting in an offer or not.
Top 5 smells that will sell your home:
- Bread (35%)
- Coffee (32%)
- Clean laundry (29%)
- Fresh flowers (24%)
- Open fire (19%)
Depending on the size of your home, I feel that a lot of these tips can be carried out for around £500-600 (reliant on how much you decide to spend on mirrors and chandeliers!) but can have a massive impact on how buyers will view your property and the time it takes to sell.
If you want any more information, or would just like a chat about the current market, please feel free to get in touch. Thanks for reading
Lianne Woodhead
Director
01933 837000
lianne@woodheadandco.co.uk