Staying practical and functional could help you improve as well as push up the price of your property – and all in the best possible taste.
Independent estate agents and valuers Harrison Murray give their view on what’s hot and what’s to be avoided when planning to make your home more appealing to would-be buyers.
New bathrooms, kitchens and hot tubs.
- Installing any of these will probably be a waste of money to the seller as the majority of buyers fit new bathroom suites and kitchen units to put their mark on the property. And if you have installed a hot tub in your garden be warned that it may not be to everyone’s taste.
Dodgy decorations.
- Decorations that reflect the eccentricity or personal style of the owner can sometimes be a big turn-off for buyers. De-cluttering and a large tin of neutral coloured paint could be just what the house doctor ordered. If you have some extra cash and want to give real kerb appeal, why not gravel the drive and repaint the front door?
Flamboyant renovations.
- There’
Poorly planned extensions.
- More space usually means more value – but only if it doesn’t lead to the property being over-developed for the neighbourhood. Investigate the ceiling price of homes in your area. If most homes like yours are selling for £250,000, building an extension in the hope of adding a further £100,000 could be unrealistic.
Harrison Murray’s commercial director Nick Salmon said: “As estate agents, we obviously want to assist all sellers in the marketing and successful selling their property. Understandably, they have a desire to increase the value of their home and embark on a series of price boosting projects before putting it on the market.
“A few simple touches such as inexpensive but clean paint work and paying attention to the overall cosmetic look and feel of the home is often more appealing than spending thousands of pounds on unnecessary renovations which could possibly put buyers off.
“Evidence that a seller is looking after the energy efficiency of the home, like having water metre, efficient boiler, cavity wall insulation and other energy saving measures could add value and also boost sellability.”
For more information on Harrison Murray, visit www.harrisonmurray.co.uk
Note to editors
Harrison Murray are leading independent residential estate agents with 18 offices throughout Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire and Leicestershire. Visit the website at www.harrisonmurray.co.uk
For more press information contact Cetti Long at Media Matters on (01733) 371363 or email: cetti@mediamatters-
