Selling up this year? Tips and tricks to increase the value of your home.

If you’re thinking of selling your property, you will no doubt be looking for ways to increase the asking price. But before you embark on any costly and time consuming renovation projects, find out what simple steps you can take to increase the value of your home.

Make a good first impression

You never get a second chance to make a first impression, so make sure the front of your home is welcoming to potential buyers.

An attractive front door will provide curb appeal and add value to the property, without having to cost you much. Simply give your front door a power wash or a fresh coat of paint so that it sparkles. Adding a new doorknob or welcome mat will add a hint of luxury, too.

You may also want to repaint your front window frames and give the glass a wipe down before holding any house viewings. These simple tasks will help to raise both the aesthetic and value of your home.

Garden

If you’re lucky enough to have a back garden (not everyone in London is!) make sure that you give it some TLC.

You can add value to your yard on the cheap by simply pulling on your gardening gloves and weeding your flower beds. Be sure to also mow the grass and trim any hedges to make sure your garden looks its very best.

Tall trees can often block light from entering your home, so consider whether you’re best off cutting any nuisance ones down.

Add value with your windows

Double glazing is generally a must-have for buyers, increasing the value of a property by up to 10% thanks to its energy efficiency and sound insulation properties. Bear in mind, however, that houses that are listed or in a Conservation Area will require planning permission first.

You can also improve energy efficiency by sealing draughts around doors and windows with draught-proofing strips. Read more advice about improving energy efficiency in our blog post on Energy Saving Tips: How to Reduce Utility Bills at Home.

Period homes will increase in value too, provided you retain their original features. So if your old wooden window frames are damaged, don’t try to cut corners by replacing them with cheap plastic versions; this will likely slash your property’s market value and could go against planning laws.

Instead, try to repair and restore period windows whenever possible. Eventually, you’ll reap the benefits when you come to sell.

Limit on value

Finally, remember that no matter how much you spend on a renovation, there is a ceiling to a property’s asking price that depends on the value of neighbouring properties.

For instance, if a buyer has a budget of £500,000, they’re unlikely to want to live on a street where neighbouring houses are worth only £250,000. So keep in mind that, at some point, you will no longer see a return on any additional investments.

If you’re looking to sell up this new year, get in touch to request a free, no obligation home valuation.