I’m a Property Expert – 12 Ways to Add £20,000 to Your Home’s Value,
House prices are falling: in July, the average house value in the UK was £373,493, compared to £375,110 the previous month. That’s a fall of 0.4 per cent.
According to Rightmove figures, the house could be worth £20,000 less by this time next year.
9
9
9
To get that value back, property expert Jonathan Rolande Kirsten Jones gives a dozen affordable tips to help you recoup that £20,000 off the asking price when you put your home on the market.
BANNED TRASH BINS
“A dirty big bin is not a garden ornament. They spoil the look of your beautiful home.
“Before your agent takes photos of you, make sure they are completely hidden from view.
“Further on, in the neighbor’s yard (with permission of course) – it doesn’t matter, just clean it up.
“When the viewings start, invest in a cheap wicker or faux ivy screen (£11, Amazon) to distract from its ugliness.”
Worth: €1,000
ATTRACTION FOR THE PRIDE
“Nearly 90 percent of home searches are done online and the front of your home is the first thing buyers see.
“If your driveway doesn’t look appealing, they’ll leave your driveway full of weeds.
9
“First impressions count, so clean your windows, give your front door a lick of paint and brighten up your porch with some cheerful potted plants.
“It will cost you about £20 and an afternoon of hard work to accelerate the sale.”
Worth: €2,500
INCREASE YOUR EPIC RATING
“If your home has poor energy performance, for example E or F, you may be faced with lower bids.
“To boost that rating to a D, you can easily switch to energy-saving LED bulbs – £9.99 for five on Amazon – or even insulate your loft with foam from £32 a roll at B&Q.
“These little tricks can save you hundreds of dollars a year on bills. Plus, an energy-efficient home that’s cheaper to maintain is attractive to buyers, so you’ll see more impressive offers coming in.”
Worth: €3,000
SHAMPOO CARPETS
“It costs around £4,000 to re-clad an average house.
“Show buyers that no changes are needed by renting a carpet cleaner for a day.
9
“It costs around £25, freshens and brightens any room and also removes odours.
“Even if the color isn’t to their taste, buyers will be happy to save money and live with a new carpet for a few years.”
Worth: €3,000
BRING A PEN TO TATTY TILES
“A £5 grout pen can make the difference between a bad offer and a quick sale of the house.
“Refurbish dull or yellowed grout and re-caulk around your shower to freshen up an old bathroom.
9
“Buyers will see a perfectly clean, usable bathroom that won’t need an expensive update anytime soon.”
Worth: €1,000
TAKE CARE OF THE GARDEN
“You don’t have to be a complete ‘Monty Don’ to add value to the garden.
“Buyers want a space they can use without having to roll up their sleeves, especially if they are moving in the summer months.
“Get rid of that rusty trampoline and weathered barbecue, mow the lawn and prune the bushes.
“A little effort can make a big difference and give you a more competitive offering.”
Worth: €1,000
GET RID OF THAT CHAIR
“Accessories should not be overlooked and that includes throwing away your cracked – or worse, stained – toilet seat.
Spend a tenner on some fresh, fluffy towels and a shiny new soap dispenser.
“Buyers will overlook a slightly dated bathroom if you show them the appeal of a few inexpensive fixes.”
Worth: €500
TART-UP TAPS
“A few sprays of limescale remover will completely transform taps – and those gleaming fittings will stand out in your online property photos.
Also get started with the kettle and the shower screen.
9
“A spotlessly clean appearance will attract more buyers through your front door.
“Plus, shiny faucets reflect light and make rooms appear larger and brighter – win-win.”
Worth: €500
SCRUB UP SKIRTS
“In everyday life, scuffs and scratches are overlooked, but to a buyer they are very noticeable.
“Whether it’s suction cups from baby gates, scratches on the floor from pram wheels or grease stains from crooked bicycles in the hallway: roll up your sleeves and clean them up.
9
“Observant buyers will see the wear and tear and assume that the property will be difficult to keep clean.
“So take some time to cover them up.”
Worth: €1,500
HANDLING PROBLEMS
No one wants to spend £10,000 on a new kitchen when they move in, so save buyers the stress.
“Choose a muted colour like olive green to give old tiles a fresh coat of paint and replace wobbly cupboard handles with modern knobs in stylish snow white or silver.
“It only costs a few euros to make a functional kitchen look fresh again.”
Worth: €3,000
UPDATE CURTAINS
“A house with heavy curtains can look dark and gray, but that is easily solved.
“Buy a few packs of self-adhesive wall hooks (set of two, £8, Dunelm) and watch the light double when you close the curtains.
9
“When more light comes in, buyers get the illusion of more space.
“If you’re still having trouble, buy an inexpensive mirror to distract from shadow areas.”
Worth: €1,000
GO “GREIGE”
“A blood-red living room screams hard work to buyers, so try to keep your personality out of the decor.
“Replace gaudy painted walls with a neutral shade, such as gray or beige, but don’t go too boring.
“A pop of color on an accent wall, pillows or cabinets can add a bit of interest.
The goal of the game is to get buyers to move in right away and make their mark, without having to go through a months-long renovation project.
“Scaring people away is never good.”
Worth: €2,000
