How to add £50k to the value of your home in just 48 hours – and smell is key
IF you’re eyeing up the end of lockdown as the chance to move and get a fresh start, these simple tips could see thousands added onto the value of your home overnight.
Property experts listed 15 issues which if fixed which could see as much as £53,897 added on to the asking price for your home – and smell is key.
New research from find-a-tradesperson platform, Rated People, has revealed cleanliness and hygiene has never been more important following the pandemic.
They said: “Potential homebuyers revealed how much they’d decrease their offer by for a range of issues – many of which could be fixed in just a few hours, and for less than £100.”
If you’re looking to sell, start by decluttering and putting away personal items, with research showing people would knock off £9,290 from the asking price of a messy house.
And that means the garden too, with poor kerb appeal at the front seeing £8,963 deducted from the price, while an overgrown back garden would see offers reduced by £8,817.
Top 15 issues to fix to add value to your home
1. Signs of damp/mould £9,571
2. Cracks in walls £9,495
3. Mess and clutter inside £9,290
4. Scuffed paintwork and marked walls £9,254
5. No double glazing £9,144
6. Peeling wallpaper £9,023
7. Dirty bathroom £8,966
8. Rubbish/debris in front of the house £8,963
9. Broken/ missing fence panels in the garden/outside space £8,957
10. Bad smells inside £8,947
11. Dirty kitchen £8,882
12. Outdated decor £8,851
13. Dirty/stained furnishings, like carpet, curtains and sofas £8,849
14. Overgrown garden £8,817
15. Broken/damaged windows £8,624
After decluttering, it’s time to start scrubbing – and we mean a really deep clean.
Rated People pointed out a spotless bathroom could boost the value of your property by £8,966, while a sparkling kitchen could add £8,882.
And don’t forget about soft furnishings or upholstery too, with filthy sofas and carpets seeing sellers lose out on another £8,849.
It’s not something you can see in photos, but if you’ve managed to draw some potential buyers in for a look around – smell is key.
A house with a bad smell, whether it’s overflowing bins, wet dog, blocked drains, or damp, can see a price drop by nearly £8,947.
As well as deep cleaning and venting your house to remove any lingering odours, you can also invest in some scented candles, fresh flowers or some freshly baked bread – a common estate agent trick.
Any scuffed paintwork or cracks could see nearly £20,000 slashed from the asking price, so it’s time to get your paint brush out.
It’s easy to see why a messy or dirty home can spoil your chances of securing a good offer if you’re looking to sell
Adrienne Minster
While if you have peeling wallpaper you can wave goodbye to another £9,023, and dated décor could see another £8,851 down the drain.
You don’t need to spend a fortune on updating, as throws, rugs, fablon, new handles, new light fitting, a lick of paint and even clever styling tips can freshen up a space on a budget.
The nationwide survey of 2,000 Brits found three in five buyers said they’d put in a lower offer for a dirty house, while 43 per cent admitted they wouldn’t even book a viewing if a home looked filthy.
Adrienne Minster, CEO at Rated People commented: “We wanted to discover how the last year has impacted homebuyers’ priorities and to find out what they’re now looking for from their properties in a post-pandemic world.
“Given our increased emphasis on hygiene, including washing hands, social distancing and cleanliness in general, it’s easy to see why a messy or dirty home can spoil your chances of securing a good offer if you’re looking to sell.
“Yet, it’s still surprising to see just how much these types of issues will now affect the value of your home.”
Most read in Fabulous
Meanwhile this doting husband buys his wife’s 114-year-old childhood home and painstakingly restores it for her.
Plus experts reveal how 29p vinegar is the secret to getting your pad spotless – from banishing stains to preventing mould.