There are ways to add value to your property, and there are ways to lose money fast. It pays to be aware of the things that turn off potential buyers as they can be quick fixes that add up to a quick sale.
Pet smells
Ignore cleaning pet hairs from carpets and getting rid of pet odour at your peril. It can knock over £10,000 off the value of your property.
Planning permission
Never think you can get away with illegal home improvements. Not having planning permission can make your home a no-go zone.
Patterned carpets
Any dodgy decor is a turn-off for potential buyers. Strip off that wallpaper and rip up those carpets in favour of a tasteful, neutral colour scheme.
Garden jungle
Is your garden overgrown and full of dead plants? A tidy-up can take a couple of weekends and reap huge rewards, while a lack of kerb appeal can turn away potential buyers or drop your house price by 20%.
House numbers
You may have loved living at number 13, but superstition still puts buyers off. The best way to deal with it? Change your number to a house name and see your valuation soar.
Swimming pool
The climate may be changing, but most people consider an outdoor pool to be more hassle than it’s worth. If you go to the expense of installing an in-ground pool, you’re unlikely to get back your investment when it’s time to sell.
Poor energy efficiency
Investing in double glazing is an easy way to demonstrate your home’s energy efficiency to potential buyers. Smart new low-maintenance units installed by a reputable company are an effective way to boost the value of your property.
Lack of parking
If you have the opportunity to add a driveway, do it. It can add a significant amount of value to your property for the sheer convenience of having your own parking space.
Clutter
A proper tidy-up is one of the easiest ways to maximise your valuation. In fact, tidying up can add up to £11,000 to the value of your home. You may ask where do I put all the clutter and how do I store it?. Do I use Garage Shelving with companies like garage-shelving.co.uk to help me sort this? The answer is yes!
Outdated fixtures
If you don’t want to spend a fortune, new kitchen cupboard doors and a lick of paint can work wonders, but the avocado bathroom suite might have to go!
