When it comes to putting your home on the market, presentation is everything. You may have heard of the 11-second rule? Whether house hunters really make up their mind that quickly when they view a property is debatable, but the fact remains that first impressions count.
If your home is in need of a little TLC, don’t think potential buyers won’t spot it. Conversely, spending some time getting your property ready for sale can pay big dividends!
There are lots of things you can do to increase your home’s value and they don’t have to cost and arm and a leg. Take a look at these 6 simple but highly cost-effective ways to put the pizzazz back into your home, while at the same time increasing its value.
- Knock, knock…
Believe it or not, replacing your front door is a really terrific, quick and reasonably inexpensive way to glam up your house and attract potential buyers. Your choice of front door should complement the front of your property and enhance the aesthetic. To try and find the perfect front door, some homeowners might want to consider looking into sliding doors in Brisbane, for example. Those front doors are ideal for aesthetic and longevity, so it might be nice to do some research into those sliding doors. However, there are other options too.
For period or older properties, a classic black, or even brilliant red, high gloss door with gorgeous brass knocker, is always a winner. You could even do the job yourself, or get a local handyman do it for you.
For contemporary homes, right now, steel doors are very chic and much in demand. They’re also long-lasting and come in a range of terrific colours.
- All hands on deck
If you don’t already have any decking in the back garden, now’s the time to do it. And if you do, then you might want to think about enlarging the area.
Decking can be one of the coolest things, and a beautifully constructed and stained wooden deck can do wonders. It gives your outside space that Mediterranean feel, like you’re sitting on the deck of a luxury yacht. It’s what everyone wants, and it’s a great way to add value to your home.
- Clear thinking
Buyers today are becoming very eco-conscious, so try to make your home as environmentally friendly as possible. Take windows: Even if you don’t have outdated windows, it’s a good idea, as well as an easy upgrade, to fit the most energy-efficient windows you can.
Another quick upgrade to make your home a little more eco-friendly is getting the heating & cooling systems repaired or replaced. Especially if you live in a large house in a hot climate, your old air handler might be incredibly inefficient. It’s a good idea to replace your old Air Handler with a modern model that has all the most recent efficiency innovations. Similarly, central heating systems can become worn out and boilers can break down, making them a big energy waster. More often than not, a few tweaks should get the systems to their most efficient level, but in case they’re too old then it’s probably time for a total upgrade. Reach out to a service provider like AIRMAX (airmaxsc.com/about-us/) near your house to help out with this. And for a few months before you sell, you’ll feel great knowing you’ve saved on your energy bills.
- Something’s cooking…
It’s a well known fact that it’s the kitchen that sells the house. It’s the focal point, the heart of the home. If your kitchen is looking a little tired, upgrade, upgrade upgrade!
Go and spend a few hours with a kitchen design company and see what’s available. Whether you choose to upgrade your worktops, change your cupboard doors or go for a complete refit, an attractive kitchen will add a great deal more value to your home than most other refurbishments you might make.
- Vinyl can add some music to your home
Have you considered vinyl cladding? As far as kerb appeal goes, this is quite a new idea but works a treat. An outside wall covered in vinyl cladding makes a great impression. It’s looks attractive and gives a home that upmarket, architect-designed feel.
You can choose from a range of exciting colours and it’s durable and virtually maintenance free. Every so often you may have to rinse off the dirt with a hose, but that’s hardly a back-breaking job. And just think, you won’t ever have to paint that wall again!
- An inspiring garden
If you have a reasonably sized garden, you need to make a great impression the moment someone walks through your gate. You can do this with colourful plants in containers, contemporary outdoor furniture, neat brick or stone pathways that link different areas, a few trees, like flowering cherry and Japanese maples. You could even put in a small pond or water feature, which adds an appealing focal point to the garden.
BIO:
Mike James, an independent content writer in the property industry – working with Sussex-based estate agent Hunters.