Some homeowners are pretty desperate to sell their properties. They`ll go to almost any lengths to get a buyer. So, what should you do to put some extra value on your home, and make it look an appealing proposition for any would-be purchaser?
If you are thinking about rushing out and getting a builder in to fit a nice extension, or going out and ordering some new carpets, you should stop and think again. Firstly, you won`t recover the money you`ve spent when you work out your eventual selling price. Secondly, those things in themselves will probably not encourage someone to buy from you.
There are other, cheaper and simpler, alternatives to help you move your property. Most of these suggestions are about fairly minor details, but often it`s the small things that buyers will pick up on. This is a situation when you want to carry out only those home improvements which will help you sell your home.
Let`s start from the outside, since that is what any prospective buyer sees first. If your house looks neglected from the outside you`ll have a hard time convincing someone that it`s well kept on the inside. In fact, if the outside is too bad, some people won`t even stop to look inside, they just drive off!
Buy new hinges for your gate if it`s falling off the present ones. If it`s in really bad condition, consider buying a new gate. Or, at the very least, fill in any holes then paint it. With a metal gate sand away small patches of rust and then do a paint job on it.
Make sure the front door is in good condition. If it needs a lick of paint, or varnish, it`s worth spending the time and a little money putting it right. If your drive or patio look grubby, you could hire a jet spray to clean them down. You could buy a hanging basket or two at little cost. They add colour to the outside.
And don`t forget the garden. If you usually keep it neat and tidy just make sure the grass isn`t too long when you have a potential buyer calling. If your garden is in a mess, then consider hiring a gardener to do some work for you. His charges will make it worthwhile for you if it means you sell your home.
Now to the inside of your house.
If you`ve got old or discoloured electric wall sockets, or switches, go and spend a few pounds on new ones. If you`re not competent to fit them yourself, get an electrician in to do the work for you.
If there are paint chips in the walls, fill them. Then paint, or wallpaper over them.
Finally, get rid of clutter. Get rid of stuff you don`t use. Box up items which you like but which might not be all that attractive to others. If you have large items then think about putting them in to storage for a time to get them out of sight of your would-be buyers. It`s better to have too little in your rooms than too much.
Even if you have to work on all of these points, the chances are it will still work out cheaper than recarpeting your home, or having an extension fitted, and will make your home more sellable.
Most if not all the jobs mentioned are within the scope of DIY work. Unfortunately there are some things that you may have to call the professionals in to rectify. A small termite infestation for example, can sometimes be dealt with by the home owner. If severe though it’s best to get expert advice on.
