2020 might not have been good for much, but it was certainly good for house sales. Estate Agent Stacks reported selling three years’ worth of houses in just three months last summer, and this trend shows no sign of slowing as we move into 2021.
The huge surge in the Devon housing market is due to people migrating from the city in search of a more rural idyll in the country with cleaner air, beautiful beaches and a better quality of life. If you are a homeowner in Devon looking to sell your house whilst the property market is booming, it’s a good idea to look at which home improvements really add value to your home to maximise your home’s worth and reap the benefits.
Spring Home Improvements
As the lighter evenings and gentle sunshine give people a sense of hope and positivity, Spring is typically the time when people look to make house improvements. If you are looking to move up the property ladder into your dream home, can simple home improvements really maximise your home’s worth when you sell?
The answer is yes.
By making some canny home improvements before putting your house on the market you will be making your house more attractive to buyers as they will have less work to do themselves once they move in.
1. KERB APPEAL
The first thing to consider when selling your home is kerb appeal. What do potential buyers first see when they drive up to your house? Does your home look well-kempt, inviting and up-to-date? Do they see a beautiful potential family home with a cared-for garden, or does it look unloved and in need of a refurb?
First impressions are essential. If the outside of your house looks unloved and in need of a paint, then potential buyers will not even give the inside a second glance. Most buyers will decide if they do or do not like a property before they even get out of the car and it can be hard to shake off negative first impressions created by a poor or unattractive exterior. Sweeping up leaves, mowing the lawn, fixing broken roof tiles and giving the outside a lick of paint are all crucial to ensure maximum kerb appeal. Repairing cracked or broken cladding such as render or timber, replacing old garage doors, adding some attractive planted borders or even just adding a house name sign can all add to the kerb appeal of your home.
If you have a large budget then you might consider adding a porch, driveway or side extension to give your property that added edge in a competitive marketplace. Porches and outhouses can add up to 30% value to your home and make it ever-more sought after for the buyer who demands more.
2. PAINTING THE OUTSIDE OF YOUR HOUSE
The most effective way of improving your home’s value and kerb appeal is by giving the outside of your house a paint update. But beware – painting the outside of your house is no easy task! Aside from the scraping down of old paint, preparation and repairing any imperfections before even starting, there is a real risk of falling from height if you don’t know what you are doing and aren’t putting the appropriate safety measures in place. Sometimes scaffolding is needed and a simple ladder would be too dangerous and not up to the job. All of these things need to be properly assessed before you start in order to mitigate any risk to you or your family.
As with any painting job, preparation is key when painting the outside of your house. Flaking paint needs to be removed, hollow rendering needs to be fixed, rotten wood needs replacing, missing window putty needs to be done, and any mold or algae needs to be treated and removed also. We always start at the top of the house and work down. Dust sheets are crucial to avoid staining patios/pathways, and we also advise keeping pets and children away so that they don’t knock your ladder over, or end up with paint on their heads!
Gauging how much paint you need is also a tricky thing to get right too. All-too-often we see people misjudging quantities then having to pop down to the hardware store mid-job to buy more, whilst the first half has dried and left a big ugly line on the outside of the house.
The weather can make or break your external paint job – if it’s too sunny the paint will dry too quickly and cause a glare which strains your eyes. If the weather is damp the paint can dry too slowly, bringing components of the paint to the surface which then leaves a waxy film. This is called surfactant leaching and leaves an unsightly finish.
There is so much to think about when painting the outside of your house, but making sure the outside is freshly painted is definitely a major factor for improving kerb appeal and maximising the value of your home. Caulking, fixing peeling paint and replacing rotted wood on the exterior shows you kept your home protected while you lived in it. Calling on your local team of professional decorators with years of experience at exterior painting is the safest and easiest way to get the job done.
3. REPAIR OR REPLACE WINDOWS AND DOORS?
Old flaking windows can put potential buyers off as they might see it as a huge outlay to have to replace the old windows in the future. Professionally repairing your wooden windows, fascias, masonry and down pipes is a big step towards improving the value of your home.
When it comes to higher value period properties, aesthetics are a significant factor, to the extent that a premium can be placed on a property that still has its original period windows, providing they are intact and functioning well. Many people don’t know that an old rotten window frame can be fixed and doesn’t need a full window replacement!
Our professional Repair Care treatment uses a permanently elastic and paintable professional seal which completely restores and renovates existing window and door frames. The process not only makes your restored windows protected against the potentially damaging effects of changes in weather but the unique resin complex is fully underwritten and guaranteed to last for 10 years.This state-of-the-art repair remedy is more durable than carrying out ‘touch up’ repairs, and we are fully trained in this revolutionary Repair Care system.
Refurbishing decayed and damaged timber is a sustainable and responsible way of caring for your home and also vastly improves the ‘sale-ability’ of your home to potential buyers. It also improves the energy efficiency of a home as it stops drafts and improves insulation. It will also make your home look safer and more robust, which will make it a more tempting new home for potential buyers.
4. GIVE THE INTERIORS AN UPDATE
Updating the interiors is one of the most common things people look to do when selling their house. An attractive, clean and sociable living space is essential both to buyers and valuation surveyors alike. A fresh lick of paint can make the house look brighter, more modern and fresher. Painting the walls in a nice neutral shade will ensure that buyers see a blank canvas upon which they can make their own mark. It is difficult to place a figure on the increase in value made by cosmetic improvements, but the market will always place a premium on an attractively decorated and styled property.
Decluttering and careful styling will add 5-10% value to your property. Sanding floorboards, adding clever storage under the stairs, re-grouting tiles or using paint to highlight a period feature will all add interest for prospective buyers. A bright white skirting board can pop against a different coloured wall, and a colourful nook could create a memorable impression on buyers. Warm, neutral colours work well and using a professional quality paint is crucial to get that perfect finish.
Painting the interior of your home is the simplest, most effective, and most transformative way to change a space. It is also the least investment for the biggest return. A fresh coat of paint in on-trend colours is always going to look better than a dated colour scheme with paint that is peeling, faded and worn. Prioritising the main living areas such as the kitchen, lounge and hallways will be the best way to catch the eye of potential buyers looking for a smart family home.
5. THE KITCHEN: RENOVATE OR REPLACE?
The kitchen is by far the most important room to buyers, and the price you end up with will largely depend on how happy the buyers are with the kitchen. Updating the kitchen can be one of the biggest investments to homeowners, but can also give the biggest return.
But if you want to be left with more money in your pocket after selling the house, then consider renovating and being clever with your kitchen instead of replacing it. A professional painter can consult with you on the right colour choice and repaint your cabinets, saving you the expense of a full kitchen renovation. If your cabinets work well but the finish is tired looking, or if they are a strong colour that dates the house, give them a paint update. Give buyers that fresh white kitchen cabinets they crave! A fresh coat of paint on your walls and trim is world-changing. Choose a bright, white semi-gloss for trim and a light watery toned eggshell for the walls. Accents of blues and greens are calming, whilst dingy yellows or rusty reds are best avoided.
A successful kitchen design truly is in all the details. Simply replacing a worktop can work wonders for updating the kitchen. Using a good wood such as oak or maple will give a timeless and classy effect. Replacing your taps, backsplash or tiles will also breathe new life into dated kitchens looking for an update.
We will be only too happy to come and carry out an honest evaluation on how you can improve your home to make it more attractive to potential buyers. The spring weather means that our diary is busier than ever, so if you’re planning on selling your home soon then get in touch to let our professional decorators advise you on the best way to maximise your homes’ potential with home improvements that count. We are looking forward to working with you!