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How to Make Your Home More Valuable and Sell Faster
It’s fair to say that for the majority of people, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. However, with so many similar styles of houses across the country, it can be hard to make yours stand out from the crowd. So how do you make your home more valuable, and ultimately sell faster?
Be Objective
If you were to look upon your home for the first time, what would be immediately obvious? For many houses, the front elevation can be easily improved by re-varnishing wooden window and door frames – as well as ensuring that the windows themselves are kept clean1. It’s also worth looking at the possibility of purchasing a new front door if your present one is beginning to look a bit shabby1.
For many city houses, a build-up of carbon from road traffic can also make a home look tired and undesirable. So why not hire a pressure washer1 to dispel the decades of unsightly pollution and make your external walls look brand new?
Other peripheral features that are easy to tidy up include gardens and yards. By using weed-killer on paths and flower beds as well as re-gravelling your driveway and re-seeding your lawn2, you can easily show that the house itself is well cared for, providing a great reason for buyers to enquire further.
Inside the home, there may of course, be a number of obvious issues that need attention such as damage to walls and doors – much of which can be taken care of with a liberal application of filler – but what about the less obvious details?
Many sellers choose to replace flooring in preparation for a sale, but it is worth noting that the majority of buyers will be replacing the floor themselves at some point, no matter how pleased you are with your present style. So why not save yourself money and time and hire a carpet cleaning machine which can easily remove years of dirt and discolouration3.
So, what else should you consider when selling a house that needs repair? Regardless of your preference for colour and style, remember that you need a buyer to see the potential in your home, so make sure that also walls are painted in neutral colours such as cream, white, or lavender1. While a paint job may take up a few weekends, the increased saleability of the property will make it all worthwhile by the time you finalise a deal.
Promote your neighbourhood
When we purchase a home, we usually factor in the additional benefits its location presents. Sometimes we buy because of its proximity to local amenities such as shops and leisure facilities, other times it’s because it happens to be in the same district as a renowned local school3.
Whatever your reasons were for originally purchasing your house, make sure that you pass on this information to your agent, or through a welcome pack for potential buyers to read while they come for a viewing, reminding them that the services on your doorstep are part of what makes your home such as bargain2.
Use the natural light
During viewings, make sure that you keep curtains drawn back, blinds rolled up, and that they are scheduled when the sun is out. Natural light helps a house feel more spacious and airy and you should use it to your advantage2.
Maintain showroom quality
It’s not easy to keep your house looking perfect 24/7, even when you’re trying to sell – but it is important to try. Cleaning as you go is a great way to avoid being caught off-guard by a surprise viewing on short-notice – and learning how to deal with surprise appointments is a great way to learn how to sell a house fast4.
Gain additional planning permission
Does your home offer a number of opportunities for extending? If done correctly, adding an extension to a home is usually a sure-fire way to guarantee a greater return on your investment4.
Sadly, many of us do not necessarily have the financial reserves for extending our homes – but the people who are considering buying your home, however, may have deeper pockets. Take advantage of this by gaining planning permission for any possible extensions and make sure that you notify any interested parties to make buying your home seem an even more attractive proposition.
Are there any tips and tricks that can be used to sell my house fast?
Most people try to be as objective as possible during viewings – tallying the number of rooms needed, checking for ample storage space, as well as deciding whether or not the garden is big enough.
What many viewers don’t realise is that it’s often the subjective, subliminal side of their minds that help them settle on a potential purchase. So why not try the following?
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Don’t let an amateur take photographs of your home. The photos are the first thing a buyer will see at the agents, and great photos can make your small family home look palatial4.
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Turn on the central heating 2-3 hours before they arrive – warmth can easily sway a buyer’s opinion in your favour5.
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Spray a little furniture polish on the radiators while they’re heating up – the scent often evokes feelings of nostalgia and comfort5.
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A bowl of fresh fruit, or a pot of freshly brewed coffee on display can easily encourage a buyer to see your house as a home5.
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Clear drains using caustic soda to eliminate any smells from bathrooms and kitchens that may otherwise deter those looking to buy4.
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Try to use a combination of secondary lighting such as floor lamps as opposed to a single fixed ceiling light to prevent the rooms from feeling too sterile4.
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Add a few plants in and around communal areas. A bit of nature can add a little variation to your standard décor.
Know when it’s time to reduce your price
You could have the perfect home, the perfect location, and the perfect time of year – but sometimes, luck just isn’t on your side. Knowing when to lower the price of your home is an important part of the house-selling process – and if approached with a strategic mindset, can really help encourage buyers.
Therefore, before you place your home on the market make a decision at which point you would consider lowering the price, and also by how much6.
While we all aim to achieve our original asking price, it’s important to temper expectations with reality, and don’t forget, it’s better to lower the price earlier before the home has been on the market so long that buyers begin to question its saleability.
If you do need to sell your house fast and would prefer not to deal with estate agents, however, remember that you can always use property buying companies who will buy any home, regardless of location or condition, at a competitive price.
Are you interested in selling your house for cash? Why not ask National Homebuyers for advice, as we buy any house. Call 08000 443 911 or request a call back to find out how much you could get for your property before it’s too late.
References:
1Brazg, G. (2019). How to Present Your House for Sale. Available: https://www.theadvisory.co.uk/house-selling/prepare-to-sell-your-house/. Last accessed 26th July 2020.
2Anon. (2019). How to make your home more valuable and sell faster . Available: https://hoa.org.uk/advice/guides-for-homeowners/i-am-selling/top-tips-how-to-make-your-home-more-saleable-and-valuable/. Last accessed 25th July 2020.
3Anon. (2019). How to sell your house – top tips. Available: https://www.propertymark.co.uk/advice-and-guides/selling-your-home/10-tips-for-selling-your-home.aspx. Last accessed 25th July 2020.
4Gomez, J. (2019). How to sell your house for the most money. Available: https://www.opendoor.com/w/blog/how-to-sell-your-house-for-the-most-money. Last accessed 25th July 2020.
5Guershon, S. (2019). How to sell your property. Available: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/mortgages/how-to-sell-a-house/. Last accessed 25th July 2020.
6Walsh, C. (2012). Top 10 tips to sell your home. Available: https://www.moneysupermarket.com/money-made-easy/top-ten-tips-to-sell-your-home/. Last accessed 25th July 2020.
