When preparing your home for sale, it can be difficult to know where you are best spending your money, time and effort. Perhaps you are wondering if you should replace your tired looking bathroom, if you don’t will it put buyers off? Or maybe you are pondering on updating your outdated decor but you’ve heard buyers like adding their own stamp so what’s the point? There may be many areas you feel need updating but where do you draw the line? It could end up costing a small fortune and are you any better off? Is it worth the return on investment?

It is doubtful that your whole home will need refurbishing from top to bottom. Money spent on a few justified areas is definitely recommended. So, where are the best places to spend your time and effort? Where do you start?

Here are eight key areas to consider when you are wondering how far should you go:

1. Put your buyers hat on

First you need to put yourself in your buyers position. Look at your home through their eyes, not yours. What do you think will attract them to your home? What could potentially put them off? Make a list and focus your attention on the areas that need improving.

You could always recruit the help of a friend. Ask for their honest opinion. As a buyer, what do they think needs improving? Try and focus on what your buyer will want, not what you want.

2. Neutralise & freshen

In order for a viewer to want to buy your home, they have to imagine themselves living there. We all have our own unique style of décor, however, to help your buyer it is best to neutralise your décor.

Strong colours and snazzy wallpaper can be distracting and are very personal choices. Redecorate with neutral tones. Use muted tones for walls and carpets. It may sound a little boring but redecorating this way will make your home feel lighter, fresh and well cared for.

Add accents of colours using accessories. Use cushions and throws on sofas and chairs and add subtle pieces of art on the walls for a pop of colour. Keep everything else low key and simple.

Spending your money and time on neutralising your home is a quick win. It can really transform a house and doesn’t cost a huge amount. If you choose for a decorator to take on the task it is still money well spent. A well-presented home will attract more viewers and will generally sell for more money. You are likely to get your return on investment spending your money this way.

3. Carpets

Take a good look at your carpets, are they worn and stained? What message do you think this will send out to your buyers? Re-carpeting a whole home can cost a lot of money, yet, focusing on a few rooms will instantly lift the feel and smell of a room and won’t cost the earth. A new carpet in the living room and master bedroom can make a huge difference. Fresh carpets have that new smell about them like a new car. It gives off the right signal to a buyer that your home has been well maintained and loved.

For all other carpeted areas use the services of a professional carpet cleaner. This is a cheaper way to get rid of smells and stains. Your carpets will instantly look brighter and may even come up looking like new.

4. Kitchens

Whether or not to invest on updating the kitchen is one of the most common questions we get asked, it obviously depends on the condition of the kitchen. Buyers are drawn to good looking, neat kitchens and a presentable kitchen will make your home more attractive. However, they are also pretty expensive to update.

We do have a few tricks up our sleeves that we share with our lovely clients. Replacing the work tops and painting the cabinets can give the kitchen a whole new look. There are companies around these days that professionally paint existing kitchen units, they can even paint over veneered units. It is amazing the difference it makes and it can make a tired kitchen look new and costs a fraction of the price that replacing it would. To improve further we would suggest updating the hob and sink so that everything at eye level looks fresh and new.

5. Bathrooms

Bathrooms are another popular room buyers are drawn too. If yours is looking tired, there are a few cost-effective ways you can refresh your bathroom. Try and salvage the bathroom suite – toilet, sink and bath. If they are neutral colours, white or light cream they should be fine. Update the tiling around the units, replace the flooring and paint the walls. For an extra touch, replace the taps. This can absolutely transform a bathroom without spending thousands of pounds.

6. Windows

You’ll need a big budget if you are planning to replace your windows. This is one area we suggest you draw a line as it is a lot of work and expensive. If you can touch up your windows by treating and painting wood work that will help. Or if you have a pane or two of glazing that has blown, then update those specific areas. However, completely replacing all windows is an area we would avoid as you really are getting into renovation work here.

7. Talk to your agent

Every home is different, and the level of improvement required will be different. Ask your agent for suggestions on how you can improve your home in a cost-effective way. They will be able to give you a personalised plan and they can look at your home in an objective way. They also know what buyers want and how you can improve your home to appeal to them. Your agent will be able to give you an idea of the value of your home before and after the suggested improvements. That way you will be able to see if it is worth spending the money.

8. Return on investment

Will you get your return on investment? If you tailor your improvement plan to certain areas and you don’t go crazy splashing the cash then you should get your return on investment. By updating in a clever, thought out way you will make your home more saleable. You will have thought about what your buyers want and improved your home to appeal them. Perfecting the presentation of your home in this way can help it sell quicker and for more money.

The longer a home is on the market, the lower the price achieved. Making your home more appealing and saleable will ensure a quicker, higher value sale. Not making improvements might mean that it will linger on the market longer. This could eventually cost you tens of thousands of pounds. Providing you spend your money in a considered way then it’s a no brainer for us.

If you are considering moving and want to know how you can maximise the value of your home, we would be happy to give you no strings honest advice.  Call us on 01332 775 322 or 01283 537120 email derby@surepropertygroup.com or burton@surepropertygroup.com

For more advice on preparing your home for sale, see our blog here https://www.surepropertygroup.com/five-top-tips-to-prepare-your-home-for-sale/

Andrew Sharpe

Sales & Lettings Director

01283 248841

a.sharpe@surepropertygroup.com