The housing market can be a stomach churning rollercoaster ride of torment and terror! House prices are up, house prices are down, property is selling, oh no its not! A different day brings a different headline…. and a different headache.
Whilst most stories focus on buyers trying to get on the housing ladder, few look at the vendor’s dilemma and how difficult it is to get the price you want – or need - for your property. Double figure profits are not as common as recent years and whilst you want to get the most you can for your home, you don’t want it gathering dust on an estate agent’s books either.
Regardless of what even the most optimistic valuation says, one message that is coming through loud and clear is that buyers are super savvy, and only homes that are realistically priced are selling. But when every penny counts – what price is ‘realistic’?
Wise estate agent ‘sages’ John Hilditch in Hale and Edward (Holmes) Naden in Prestbury, say that buyers are parting with their pennies for properties that are either individual in design or that are styled in a way that adds perceived value. If you don’t have either the money or desire to start building a spiral staircase, loft conversion, stained glass window, roof garden or some other unique feature that buyers can drool over, try investing a little time in a simple spring clean.
According to the Woolwich, sellers collectively lose as much as £3 billion each year by not carrying out basic DIY jobs before putting their home on the market. Six out of ten people surveyed said they would reduce their offer by as much as 10% than the asking price for properties that had obvious drawbacks such as stone cladding, swirly seventies style carpets, avocado bathroom suites and unstylish fireplaces. But they also included homes that were dirty or smelly in that list of turn-offs.
So, number one in my top tips has to be ‘CLEAN UP!” Scrub your house from top to bottom and don’t forget to shampoo the carpet. You might not notice the dirty marks and stains but you can bet that a potential purchaser will.
Clutter is not homely – its just clutter. It detracts from a room’s features and makes it look small. Box up and place in storage your picture frames, ornaments, books, magazines, DVD’s and CD’s apart from a few stylish and co-ordinating items. Belongings that you no longer need could be sold on ebay.co.uk or at a car boot sale – the money generated could pay for a celebratory dinner when you sell your home!
When it comes to interiors ‘simple is saleable’. If a buyer doesn’t share your passion for borders, flowers, chintz and checks they aren’t going to see past the décor to the true potential of your home. A lick of paint, some simple fabrics and furnishings will give the appearance of a blank canvas upon which they can apply their own vision of domestic bliss.
Make the most of what you’ve got by rearranging your furniture to give the room a different perspective. Get older shabby looking items re-covered or invest in throws. Some firms rent out furniture to help ‘dress’ a property – much in the same way property developers dress a show home.
Painting is profitable – but choose colours wisely. Steer clear of bright shades and opt for a neutral palette. You might feel like you are sacrificing your individuality to submit to mundane magnolia but it will be worth it when the offers start flooding in. Your front door is the first thing to paint if it’s looking at all worn, followed by the entrance hall – remember first impressions count.
Light and space are high on the homebuyers’ hit list. Opening curtains and blinds, clearing off windowsills and even investing in higher wattage light bulbs can all help lift the light in a room. Open windows before buyers view to circulate fresh air around the home.
Remember kerb appeal. Many people make their first – and strongest – opinion on a home from the second they pull up outside. Clear cars off the drive so viewers have somewhere to park, clear away any rubbish from your premises, spruce up the garden, invest in some planters or hanging baskets and consider pressure washing brickwork and your driveway. Kerb appeal can add as much as 10% to the value of your home.
If you do have some cash to splash then spend it wisely. According to experts, the kitchen and the bathroom deliver the best return on investment so look at new integrated appliances and quality furniture and fittings. Consider a loft conversion but go for one room and an en-suite as opposed to two small rooms.
If you’re looking to spend money on the outside then new windows can dramatically change the appearance of a property, or you smarten up your garden by creating entertaining spaces such as patios or decking.
It may seem like hard work – who said selling a home was easy! – but it can all be done in just one weekend. Two days graft in return for a ‘SOLD’ sign. Seems a good deal to me.
