If you are thinking of putting your home on the market, there are some improvements that you need to sort out if you want a return on your investment. Do not waste precious time, energy and money fixing things that you think are wrong – things you would like to see corrected but not necessarily what buyers want. Here are some important problems that will need sorting:
Floors
Wooden flooring
Buyers love hardwood floors. It might be worth removing any old carpet if you have wooden floors and have them refinished.
Carpet
If your carpet has seen better days, it can pay to replace with a neutral colour that buyers will prefer as it’s a contemporary look. Definitely remove carpets from the kitchen and bathroom.
Ceiling & Walls
You will be surprised to see a lot of buyers pay attention to the walls and ceiling. They are looking for signs of damp or a leaking roof. Cover blemishes, marks or oil by applying layers of paint on the walls and ceiling. This is a cost-effective way to brighten up the place and choose a neutral, light shade that will make the place look bigger too. Wallpaper – Nobody wants wallpaper, it is a very personal choice so be sure to steam it off.
Roofing
These improvements will not necessarily add value as it’s more of a maintenance problem, but it will increase the number of people who potentially want to buy your home. Do not delay in getting roof problems fixed, especially if you have a flat roof as this may well put off potential buyers. For help from a Cheltenham Roofing, visit http://stormroofingltd.co.uk/
The outside
Do not overlook the importance of the first appearance of the exterior of your property. Fixing cracks in the sidewalk with cement, trimming hedges and weeds, replacing caulk around windows and doors, painting fences of any kind and putting some potted plants out for example, will make a huge difference to your curb appeal.
Kitchen
The kitchen is one room that buyers make a beeline for. A complete refit might be too expensive, but if your cabinets are damaged or tatty, you can think about replacing the doors or even just the handle and knobs. If your cabinets are wood, even a quick repaint is a viable option.
Bathroom
Carpet is a big turn-off, so think of replacing with vinyl floor for a cheap solution. Replacing outdated lamps and mirrors, as well as the bathroom door is a good idea because there is nothing more off-putting than stains and lime deposits built up on surfaces.
Most of all, buyers will be put off if there are clear signs of maintenance problems that have been ignored or delayed. Ideally, the house will be ready to be occupied and this is what most people are looking for, with modern plumbing and electricity. If there are major maintenance work that needs doing, this will no doubt reduce the value of every offer you receive.