Easy Modifications To Maximise Your Property’s Buyer Appeal
When you’re selling a property, you want to ensure a clear and smooth path from posting the listing to swapping keys.
The prospect of overhauling your home just to get it ready for buyers (and sheer the amount of time and money involved in refurbishment) is understandably daunting for sellers. Spend too much money, and you’ll eat into your profit. Fail to prepare, and you may have to accept less for your property than planned. Fortunately there are a few quick fixes that can considerably increase visual appeal without unwanted expense. Here we share our top three picks – several simple yet effective modifications that maximise your property’s potential.
Work from the outside in:
The first thing buyers see is the exterior of your property. A tired appearance will likely impact on the overall impression they receive – and may instantly influence their opinion of the rest of the property. The perception is that external things like plastering, new windows, guttering, doors and roofing are difficult or expensive to fix – so it’s perhaps this perspective that is behind buyers’ extreme reactions to cracked brickwork, peeling paint and faded fascias. Start by arranging quick fixes for non-structural, superficial issues – filler for cracked plaster, a lick of paint, flowers for window boxes. Neaten up hedges and lawns prior to viewings, and ensure that everywhere looks clean and pleasant before potential buyers arrive.
Spruce up kitchen and bathroom areas:
The kitchen and the bathroom are two crucial areas of the home that buyers focus on during a viewing. There’s a similarity here with the exterior – as bathroom and kitchen replacements are generally expensive and disruptive. This can make out-dated or tired-looking rooms understandably unappealing and off-putting for buyers. The good news is that you don’t necessarily need to spend inordinate amounts of money on new fixtures and fittings just before you move. Kitchens and bathrooms can be easily enhanced with a few simple fixes – like a lick of paint, new flooring and extra touches like matching towels, new lighting and a fresh blind or shower curtain.
Open up windows and let light in:
Natural light at home is very important for many of us – as it helps to promote a sense of well-being, boosts energy levels and enhances the dingiest room with forgiving warmth. If you have thick curtains or blinds consider pulling them back a little to let light flood your home – or add opaque drapes to temper harsh brightness during the day. Lighter colours are also favoured by prospective property buyers, so swap dark or bright tones for neutral hues such as sand, pebble and cream.
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