The real estate sector is still booming as 2022 begins. Many of us have relocated or are going to sell our existing residence. So there’s no better time than now to think about what features and upgrades will increase the value of your home in the long and short term. There is no better way to know the accurate value of your property than using a free property valuation service. To find out what’s currently appealing to homeowners and buyers, we spoke to a number of professionals ranging from interior designers to estate brokers. For many people, the process of getting their home ready to sell can be intimidating. It’s a fallacy that you need to spend thousands of pounds on repairs to make your home stand out to potential buyers, but this isn’t necessarily true.
The property market is at an all-time high, with home values in England increasing by 80% in the last ten years. With Brits returning to remote working and the rise of the Omicron variant, it’s unclear how this will affect property values in 2022. We’ve compiled a list of seven basic strategies to assist you to obtain the best bargain on your property at various price points.
Spend less, do more
DIY projects like painting, repairing cracks and broken doorknobs, and replacing carpets can be done on a budget and don’t require much expertise. Furthermore, something as easy as tidying and decluttering costs very little and instantly improves the appearance of your home. When each room appears to be designed specifically for its intended use, consumers are more likely to visualise themselves in that place. Did you know that one of the most common reasons that potential purchasers are turned off is foul odours? Deep cleaning and putting out candles or fresh flowers will readily cure this.
Bathroom and kitchen
Regardless of how the rest of the house looks, a clean and tidy kitchen and bathroom are essential for enticing buyers. A kitchen remodel can increase the value of your home by at least 5%. Even if you don’t have the funds to complete a full remodel, you may make these spaces appear more modern by removing old and worn cupboards and washing down visible surfaces. Changing an old shower curtain in the bathroom can also make a great difference.
Make the outside as attractive as the inside.
Because many purchasers create their first impression of a property based on its exterior appearance, kerb appeal is just as vital as the interior. Cleaning your external spaces, such as mowing the lawn and pruning overgrown bushes, installing outdoor lighting, and repainting the exterior walls, can make your property much more welcoming to visitors when they first come in.
Obtain planning approval
If you don’t have the funds to build an expansion or do other large-scale renovations, obtaining planning clearance is a less expensive option. It costs £400 to apply, and depending on the property’s location, when permission was obtained and how long it has remaining, and the scope of the improvements covered in the licence, it can enhance the value by up to 10%.
Attract a diverse range of buyers
Giving the illusion of more space is one of the best ways for buyers to imagine themselves in the property. The use of neutral colours and basic furniture, as well as the storage of personal items such as family photos during viewings, can help you reach a wider audience while maximising your home’s full potential without being too overwhelming.
Adding a workspace
With most organisations adopting hybrid and work-from-home strategies, a dedicated home office space will remain a top desire for homeowners in 2022. Only a third of garage owners really use their space to keep their vehicle. As a result, turning your garage space or even a spare bedroom into an office could help you make better use of your space while also increasing the value of your property.
Install solar panels and double glazing
For homebuyers, double or triple glazing is quickly becoming a must-have. It not only saves money on bills and increases the value of your home, but it also reduces noise, which is a desirable feature in heavily crowded places. The average cost of double glazing for eight windows and two uPVC doors is £4,500, with a ten percent gain in house value.
The popularity of eco-friendly home designs is currently on the rise. Solar panels and other green home renovations raise the value of your home. If you act quickly, the government would gladly assist you with the cost of thermal solar panels through its green grant programme. Solar panel installation costs range from £3,000 to £5,000 for three water or electric solar panels. You should be ready to sell your home at the best price once you’ve checked off these items on your list!
