Impressions really do count. In order to maximise both the best price and the quickest sale, you need your property to look its very best and “WOW” your viewers. A quick look through various glossy mags and interior design websites can scare you into thinking an upgrade is going to cost tens of thousands. Don’t worry, there are a number of relatively cheap improvements you can make to maximise the value of your home, without breaking the bank.

1. Create a renovations checklist
Walk through every room in your property, making a list of everything which needs either replacing or upgrading. Try to be as objective as possible. Ask a friend or a relative to come along and give you their opinion. Remember, the list is not there to be critical of you, it’s there to help you sell for a higher price, in the quickest time. Look for areas of the property which are outdated. Which areas let it down? Even small things like making sure all of the light bulbs are working makes a big difference. Now you have a list, you can create a budget and a time frame to complete the tasks.

2. First impressions really do count
On average a person will decide whether they like or dislike a property in less than 20 seconds. That’s not very long to impress your potential buyer. The first thing they will see is most likely the front of your property. If you have a garden, plant some flowers, mow the lawn and remove any litter. If you have a garage, paint the door. If you have a fence, repair any panels and give them a fresh lick of paint. You want your viewer to be impressed from the moment they arrive. Remember, a number of potential buyers will have a drive-by first. Making sure your property looks its best from its initial appearance boosts your chances of those drive-by viewings turning into actual viewings.

3. The most important rooms are the kitchen and bathroom(s)
Whenever I show people a property, the rooms which usually get the most attention are the kitchen and bathrooms. You don’t have to replace them to maximise value. Moving clutter away from the worktop gives a better impression of space. If your kitchen is starting to look tired, look at replacing the tiling, worktops and unit doors. You will be amazed how a relatively simple and cost effective solution can make such a huge difference. In the bathroom(s), remove mould and regrout the tiles if they are stained.

4. A fresh coat of paint
Giving rooms a fresh coat of paint makes a huge difference. In my experience, buyers now prefer white over magnolia as it makes the room brighter and appear cleaner. For less than £20 a room can be decorated and transformed. Concentrate on the rooms which looked tired and require a freshen up.

5. Doors, door handles and windows
If the internal doors haven’t been changed for 30 plus years, its probably time to look at replacing them. Go a step further and get some modern door handles to compliment them. A blown window doesn’t appeal to anyone, definitely not potential buyers. You don’t have to replace the whole window, you can have the panels replaced, or cleaned and re-sealed for a fraction of the cost.

6. Light switches and sockets
If you ever visit a show home, you’ll notice they usually have modern light switches and sockets in brushed steal or chrome. Pop down to your local DIY store and pick some up. You’ll be amazed how such a small improvement can make such a big difference. If you are replacing light switches and sockets, we always recommend contacting a qualified electrician. If you don’t know anyone, contact us and we can recommend one.

7. Your local home improvement or DIY store
Look at picking up some wall art and furniture to improve the look of your rooms. The benefit of this little tip is you can take the new items with you to your next home. Not only are you improving the value of your existing home, you’re improving your next home! IKEA, Dunelm Mill, The Range etc. sell these items at a relatively cheap price. Don’t forget your local boutiques too, they often have some stunning items at an affordable price, and you’re helping local businesses at the same time.

8. The cheapest and most important piece of advice last…elbow grease!
Without spending a penny, you can improve your home considerably. It’s going to take some time and some hard work, but it’s more than worth it. Give your property a thorough clean from top to bottom. De-clutter cupboards and drawers. Remove items from below the bed and above the wardrobes. Go around your home and pretend you are the buyer. You want it to be as clutter free as possible.

If you need any further advice on how to maximise the value of your property, please give us a call on 01226 448844

Good luck!