When you want to move home, you’ll obviously want to get as much money for your current property as possible. This way, you’ll have a lot more choice as to where you go next, and the more you can pay as a deposit, the smaller your mortgage will be. Although it’s generally true that the property market is going to dictate what your current home is worth, you can boost that amount by carrying out some tasks around the home before you start to sell. Here are some ideas about exactly what you can do that should make your home worth more.
Do All The Jobs
There are sure to be little jobs around the house that you’ve been putting off. No matter what they are, it’s time to get them done before you put your house on the market; you want to make a good first impression and you want people to see your property as soon as it goes on the market; the longer it takes to sell, the more people will be worried there is something wrong with the house – they might not even spot the listing at all if a lot of additional properties have come onto the market.
Some of the most important things to put right at this stage include a new boiler installation if it is needed, making the kitchen look like a comfortable space to cook in, fixing any electrical issues, and dealing with any mould.
Make It Bigger
Of course, if you’re selling your home you’re not going to want to build an extension just before you leave, and if you’re already building an extension it’s unlikely that you will be planning to put your home on the market, so this is not quite what we mean. What we mean is that you should clear out as much of the ‘excess’ items and furniture as you can, making each room less cluttered and seem bigger. You’re not doing anything wrong, and you’re not fooling any potential buyer; you’re just showing them the true size of the room.
You’ll need to pack everything up when you move anyway, so this is the ideal time to get a head start on things. It will make the actual move much simpler and less stressful, and will also help you to get the best price for your property.
Kerb Appeal
When someone pulls up outside your house to take a look at it for the first time, what is it they see? If it is an overgrown front garden with a wonky gate or a cracked driveway and lots of mess, you’re not giving out a very good first impression. No matter how great the house itself might be, that won’t want up for the disappointment the viewer will have, and it won’t make up for the lower-than-hoped-for offer they put in, if they still want the house at all.
Make sure your home has what is called ‘kerb appeal’. This essentially means that it needs to look amazing from the first moment anyone sees it – from the moment they stand outside at the kerb, in other words. Make sure the path is weeded, the front door is painted, the rubbish is cleared away, and the hedges are trimmed and it will make all the difference.