If you’re a homeowner and you’re looking to sell, it’s important to consider what you can do to improve your property’s value before it’s put on the market.
While some things which affect the value of your home are out of your control, there are things you can work on to boost its eventual sale price.
A recent survey by NAEA Propertymark revealed some of the key things that people have experienced as having a negative impact on a property’s value.
Combining our own knowledge with the research, here at King’s Group we’ve outlined some of the main things you should consider which could potentially impact the value of your property.
A property in poor condition
It might sound obvious, but the condition of a property is one of the most important factors for buyers. This is especially true for those who want a property that is ready to move into without having to break the bank on renovations.
Issues such damp, poor roofing, cracks in walls, an old boiler and single-glazed windows can devalue your home and impact on interest from buyers. Consider making a note of all of the small fixes that need doing before putting your property up for sale.
Over personalised space
When it comes to decorating your home, it’s understandable that you will design it to suit your personal taste. However, if your style is particularly unorthodox and bold, it might be worth redecorating before you start to market your home.
Typically, modestly decorated homes with neutral coloured walls and plain furniture are more desirable as they enable potential homeowners to envision their own belongings in the space without any distractions.
Dark rooms
If you take two identical properties – one that is bright and airy and one that is dark and dingy – chances are that the brighter one will be worth more in the eyes of a buyer. This is because a bright room alludes to a bigger, tidier space, while a dark room could appear bleak and uncared for.
What’s more, even if your space is naturally light, having plants close to the windows can darken the room, which may affect what buyers think. Frosted glass windows or netted curtains can also have the same effect.
Poor presentation
If you’re looking to sell your home, you will need to make sure it’s presented in its best possible light. Everything should be clean, surfaces should be wiped down, clutter tidied away and any outstanding DIY jobs should be finished.
Scent is also important. The smell of damp or mould can deter potential buyers, so it’s worth having a good clean and opening the windows to let fresh air in.
Consider scented candles to freshen up the space. If a home smells fresh and clean it has a much greater chance of impressing prospective buyers.
Swimming pools
While swimming pools can be great fun in the summer, the reality is that they’re expensive to maintain, use up a lot of space, and the British weather usually means you can’t use them very often – making them a lot more fuss their worth.
If your property does happen to have a swimming pool that is run down in the winter months, you might want to consider filling it in. If it is in good condition, then think about selling your home in the summer when your pool is looking its best.
Planning permission and building regulations
If you’ve had any works carried out while you’ve been living in the property – such as extensions or conversions – you will need to make sure you have obtained appropriate planning permission and building regulations and have access to these documents.
If you haven’t got the right documents, you may find that you have to pay for them before agreeing to a sale, which can slow the process down.
Japanese Knotweed
One of the most invasive and troublesome plants, Japanese Knotweed is quite common and can damage the foundations of your home – significantly decreasing its value if it’s at risk of subsidence.
It can be hard to identify, but a key feature of knotweed is its small cream flowers. During summer, the leaves tend to grow in a distinctive ‘zig zag’ pattern.
If you think you can spot any in your garden, it’s best to call a professional to examine and then excavate it as soon as possible.
The house-moving process can sometimes be stressful and difficult to navigate, but taking stock and making any necessary alterations can give you the best chance of selling quickly and securing your asking price and above.
If you would like any guidance on selling a property in North London, East London, Hertfordshire, Essex and the surrounding areas, contact your local Kings Group branch today.
Also, if you’re eager to see how much your property could be worth on the current market, you can request a free instant online valuation here.
