Changes you could make before renting or selling your property...
We take a quick look at some of the best alterations and improvements you could make before you put your property on the market which are likely to give the best return.
The property market is as competitive as ever, so standing out from the crowd is imperative if you want to be a successful landlord or seller. While there are a number of things you can do to improve your chances of success, learning what to change in a property before you sell or let is one of the easiest to master.
With the help of this handy list, getting your property ready for selling or letting will be a breeze. Let’s get started.
Replace your doors and windows
It’s amazing the difference in the feel for a home a brand-new door can make. But aesthetics aren’t the only thing applicants look for. Whilst your doors and windows may fit the bill in terms of looks, what needs to be reviewed is both the safety and insulation factor.
If the property is over a decade old, it is likely that the insulation in the windows isn’t top quality, and therefore may bring the appeal of your property down. Consider if investing in new windows will make a difference to the buyer or tenant.
Change the furniture
If your furniture’s looking old and worn, it may be time to invest. If you intend to rent the property furnished, for tenants this will be the furniture they live with, so make sure it fits the type of person you want to rent your home, and that the style is up to date with modern trends. For instance, if you are looking to rent to young professionals, try adopting a more modern approach to the furnishings, i.e. luxurious sofas, wooden flooring etc.
If you’re selling, new furniture can be taken with you to your new home but may make a huge difference in the staging of your home and allow prospective buyers to see what it would be like to live there. It will also look fantastic in the listing photos!
Consider a driveway
Understandably, a driveway can be a little bit more of an investment as opposed to changing the windows or replacing furniture. However, driveways are huge selling points for a lot of people. Even if there is on street parking, the ease and added protection of their own driveway is much more likely to appeal, and therefore would add incredible value to the property, even if it means sacrificing some of the front garden.
Improve the garden
Whilst front gardens are nice, they often serve hardly any purpose to an applicant. The back garden is where the real money is. Especially with family homes, parents love big gardens for their children to play outside in, and therefore this could easily sway the choice to rent or buy from you.
Making sure the garden is tidy, and more importantly, safe is important. There is nothing worse for a parent, or future parent (if targeting young couples), then a hazardous back garden. If you can prove that safety is key, from both outside influences as well as inside, then you're already in the good books.
Clean and tidy
De-clutter and tidy throughout the house- it is hard for someone else to visualise themselves living in the property if they can't see past all your possessions.
Kitchen and bathroom
If you intend to rent, this is one of the most important things a prospective tenant will look at so it might be worth some improvement. You can achieve this with minimal cost if need be by painting cabinets if carcasses are still in good condition or just replacing the worktop. For bathrooms, a thorough clean, re-grout and new flooring might be enough to smarten it up.
If you intend to sell, we find the layout, style, colours and design is a very personal choice so if the kitchen needs improvement, save that for a new buyer and ensure it is reflected in the price for the property. You don't want to spend £15k on a new kitchen designed to your taste which you won't end up enjoying anyway only for it to deter someone from buying your home at the price tag which incorporates a new kitchen.
Look after the little things
Most houses, no matter how old or new, will have little damages here and there, such as scuffs on the walls, tiny little cracks and maybe even damp. It is essential that these little niggles are taken care of so that they don’t catch up with you later down the line. It doesn’t take a property surveyor to know that the tiniest crack or damp on the wall can have devastating structural effects in the future, so instead of letting a few little things slide, make sure they are all taken care of.
If you’re thinking of renting or selling your property, get in touch for bespoke advice specific to your property and target market.
