Looking to sell? Here’s five things to do to increase your property’s value

Increasing your property’s value is something that everyone wants to do, but for the majority of people, it’s another unknown part of the sales process. Here, we’ve compiled five key tips to increase the value of your property.

Give it a fresh lick of paint

An internal paint job can make all the difference when potential buyers are viewing your home. It can significantly increase interest, as it means one less thing for the buyer to worry about when they move in. When selecting a paint colour, stick with something neutral that could go with a variety of styles and steer clear of feature walls. Buyers can add these in after settlement.

Lastly, don’t forget to check whether the cornices and window skirtings are included in the painter’s quote. This is sometimes additional and you won’t realise until after the walls have been painted, leaving behind obvious yellowed skirtings and cornices.

Likewise, having the external paint updated can give your home a much-needed refresh, reducing that weathered look.

Update or replace carpets

A must before putting your property on the market is getting a professional carpet clean done or having new carpets installed. This is more dependent on the property and the condition of the carpet, as for some having just a professional carpet clean will make the carpet feel brand new. However, for others where the carpet is slightly older, it might be best to get it replaced. It comes down to how much you are willing to spend and how much you are wanting back. If you are wanting a premium price and the carpet looks a little outdated, it’s best to spend that little extra to get it redone. New carpet or a carpet clean will help reduce any odours that potential buyers may notice.

Freshen up the garden

Now there’s no point going to all that effort to paint your house if your garden hasn’t received any attention. Start by trimming any overgrown or dying plants and potentially replant where needed. Adding colourful flowers can also help with the appearance.

Keep in mind that buyers may prefer a low maintenance garden when selecting plants.

Pay attention to the little things

Something that can make all the difference is perfecting the little things. Make sure that all lights within the property are the same colouring – this helps with the photography and makes it more aesthetically pleasing to buyers. It’s also important to check the state of the blinds, something that can often be overlooked but which buyers will look at. These will need to be cleaned or replaced depending on how old they are. The same goes for bathroom grouting. Mouldy grouting doesn’t look great to the eye and is definitely something a buyer will look out for.

Hire a handyman to go through the home and repair all the little things. These items could include any movement cracks, sticky doors, holes and cornices that have become unstuck. They may also be able to help clean or repair the grouting throughout the home. Make sure the handyman goes through the home before the painter.

Lastly, make sure you have high pressure hosed your driveway to remove all the dirt and grime. The first thing people see when arriving for open homes is the driveway and front of the house, so you want to make sure it looks neat and tidy from the outset.

Call in the cleaning professionals

Now that everything is ready to go, it’s time to give the property a good professional clean. This includes skirtings and cornices, windows inside and out, inside and outside cupboards, the soap scum and all the other hidden spaces. Having a sparkly clean house can make all the difference. You can undertake this yourself, but you may be cleaning for days and may struggle without the right equipment so a professional cleaner may be the more time-saving choice. Again, this will depend on your budget.

IMPORTANT LEGAL INFO This article is of a general nature and FYI only, because it doesn’t take into account your financial or legal situation, objectives or needs. That means it’s not financial product or legal advice and shouldn’t be relied upon as if it is. Before making a financial or legal decision, you should work out if the info is appropriate for your situation and get independent, licensed financial services or legal advice.