If you’re hoping to sell your property once coronavirus lockdown ends, there are some simple steps you can take to boost your chances of a speedy sale.
These include some basic home improvements you can make while stuck indoors to help ‘boost saleability’, according to the estate agents body NAEA Propertymark.
In particular, it highlights six things you can do during lockdown to prepare your property for sale, from de-cluttering your kitchen to cleaning the windows.
This four-bed home in Brighton is for sale for £900,000 and is beautifully presented
Two of its suggestions include preening the garden and adding a lick of paint to potentially the interior and exterior.
There may be some hurdles in obtaining the equipment required to carry out this work as all the leading British DIY chains, except Screwfix, have closed their stores.
But if you have an independent shop locally and are keen to get the work done before listing your property for sale, it might be worth checking if they are the selling the products you need.
Some of the big names in DIY, including B&Q, are taking online orders and doing click and collect services, although there may be queues to even get on the website.
Mark Hayward, of NAEA Propertymark, said: ‘While being unable to list your house at the moment may be frustrating, the extra time you’re spending at home makes now a great time to take some simple steps and get your property into its most valuable condition for when the market picks back up.’
Here are its six ways to add value to your home and prepare it for sale, with added comments from some other property experts:
1. A lick of paint
You may need to jump through some hoops in the current environment to get some paint delivered, but giving your home a fresh lick of pain is a low cost way to add value, according to NAEA Propertymark.
Fresh paint in modern colours can go a long way in giving your home a new lease of life, so don’t be afraid to pick up the paintbrush, it said.
Robin Gould, of buying agent Prime Purchase, agreed, saying: ‘Painting covers a multitude of sins.’
And he advised not to forget about the exterior of the property, adding: ‘Peeling paint is a big no-no so a lick of paint will dramatically improve its kerb appeal.’
The four-bed Brighton home has been painted in a modern colour and is clear of clutter
2. De-clutter
Buyers need to be able to see the space they are getting, to understand how good value it is, according to NAEA Propertymark.
This means seeing the condition of the walls and floor, which is difficult if it is covered with belongings.
Mr Hayward explained: ‘By de-cluttering your home, you are allowing buyers to see the space and imagine themselves living in it, as you’re selling a lifestyle and a dream.’
Mr Gould added: ‘One way you can improve your home and make it appear bigger while not spending any money, is to get rid of all your junk.
‘Getting to the tip or a charity shop may be tricky but you can set aside a room to put it all in, or better still the garage, loft or a shed for now. Clear, uncluttered worktops in the kitchen make a big difference.
‘It is amazing how scruffy some homes are on the market and I’ve seen in the eyes of buyers how off-putting it is. At the very least have a good tidy up and clean, which costs nothing.’
The attractive garden at the Brighton property for sale is bright and colourful
3. Preening the garden
A well-presented garden can give your home the ‘wow’ factor, and so it is worth making sure that it is clear of any litter, that you’ve regularly moved the lawn, removed any weeds and cut back any overgrown trees that may be restricting light.
Plant pots can give your garden a splash of colour and setting up any outdoor furniture – such as table and chairs, or a BBQ – can help future buyers with a sense of what it would be like to own the garden space.
4. Wash windows
Windows can immediately give a sense of how well maintained the rest of the house is, according to estate agents.
It means giving them a thorough wash if you have easy access. And if your house has wooden windows, then consider giving them a fresh lick of paint to stop them looking old and cracked.
The windows at the £900,000 Brighton property for sale are clean and appealing
5. Kitchen is key
A kitchen can make or break a sale, so it’s worth making sure yours is looking its best.
Estate agents recommend giving all the cupboards and surfaces a deep clean and consider painting any old or worn cupboards.
This will transform the space without you having to fork out on replacing cabinets, suggests NAEA Propertymark.
The Brighton property has a pristine kitchen with plenty of natural light
6. Avoid over-personalisation
Future must be able to visualise themselves living in your space, so consider removing any decoration that shows too much personality.
The NAEA warns that adding character to a home doesn’t necessarily mean any value is being added to the property’s saleability.