By Kalen Bill
Whether you are fixing up your own home to sell or are an investor fixing up BMV properties to get a good return on, there are plenty of ways to increase your property value and get the most out of selling.
1. First impressions count.
The first thing anyone will see when viewing a property is the outside of it. The inside of your home could be the most beautiful interior ever, but they may not opt to see it if the outside is a mess. You can either buy a new front door or touch up the current door with a new paint job. You could install some new windows to give the property a fresher look and, if you have a front garden, spruce it up and make it look nice. Make sure that the garage doors are also in good condition and that the roof is presentable and not causing any leaks.
2. Make it eco-friendly and energy-saving!
You never know who will be interested in your property, so making sure it is as eco-friendly and energy-saving as possible will prove to be beneficial. Potential buyers may look at the EPC rating and want a low rating. Adding double-glazed windows and more insulation and installing thermostats that can help keep the energy costs down will also help. You might want to look into adding solar panels to the roof, as more people become environmentally conscious, and these panels can add more value to the property.
3. Brand new kitchen and bathroom.
These two rooms should be one of your priorities; anyone can repaint a bedroom, but kitchens and bathrooms take a lot more time and money to redo, so it is well worth making sure that the current ones are in excellent condition or revamping them completely. It is especially worth making sure that they have a more modern feel, as that is what many buyers will be looking for. Not having to redo either of these two (or more, in the case of bathrooms) when moving in would definitely be a bonus for many buyers. If the property has only one bathroom, perhaps there is a potential to add another bathroom, which will increase the value of the property.
4. The floors and the walls.
There’s nothing pretty about an old, tatty carpet. A lot of people prefer laminated/wooden flooring, and it is worth giving the floors a revamp where possible/needed. As for the walls, you will want to make sure they get a new coat of paint, as they may have faded over the years, or there might be marks on them. Whatever the situation, a fresh coat will help. It would be best to use neutral colours, as this will be easier for potential buyers to come in and envision what they want to do with the place. Adding one feature wall may add a little more life to the room as well. Also, don’t forget to make sure the skirting boards are freshly painted and look presentable!
5. Don’t leave anything unfinished.
Fill in any cracks in the walls; make sure every room (including the loft and basement, if applicable) is done to a reasonable standard. An unfinished property might come across as sloppy and unprofessional, which won’t add value at all (it may even lose value).
6. Expert advice.
Don’t be afraid to get a second opinion, especially from experts who know what they’re doing. Even if you have a good eye for what looks good and what doesn’t, it’s always worth making sure you’ve not missed any opportunities and that you can bring out the best value in your property.
Final thoughts.
Basically, make sure it is all presentable and structurally sound. No buyer wants to deal with leaks, nor do they want to redo a room from scratch because of some avoidable flaws. You want the property to look good and add the least amount of work for a buyer to deal with when moving in. You could look to CityRise for investment tips and even BMV properties to get yourself started on the investment road!
