Improving your chances of selling your house

What makes a house buyer choose to buy a particular house? What do they have in mind when they look at houses to buy? If, for whatever reason, you are determined to sell your property, you can’t dwell on the state of the house sales market, even if it is sluggish or saturated with unsold houses. You can only do your best to sell yours, either at the price you require, or by going for the appeal of an irresistible, and costly for you, bargain!

So assuming you would prefer to get a reasonable price for your property, what can you do to make it into a property which will meet a potential buyers’ highest expectations and even achieve their dream of how the ideal place to buy should be? A pretty tall order, considering that buyers are not cloned to be of the same mind as you and are likely to have their own particular ideas about what they want!

Well you can go on the internet and search for the ten top tips for improvements that should increase your property’s value – there are sites that will give you ideas but most of them acknowledge that there are no guarantees any of those ideas will work. Below is a list we have produced based on the most frequent suggestions for house improvements. But first, three broad recommendations:

Try to give buyers something of a ‘blank canvas’ – so they can see how they will get their ideal house with the minimum amount of effort – neutral ‘magnolia’ décor throughout and the absence of your ‘clutter’ taking up space might help!

Your house, despite whatever you might spend on it, will not sell much above the neighbourhood price range and therefore spending and trying to recoup what you have spent may be a problem!It’s not what you have done with your property over and above being a careful and good maintenance owner that matters, it’s what the buyer wants – be in a listening rather than selling mode!So here are ten of the most commonly recommended tips:

Convert a loft or roof-space to add living space

Add a suitable extension

Insulate to cut down heat loss through the roof and walls

Fit double glazing

Install central heating

Build a garage or improve your garaging

Ensure the kitchen is an attractive working space

Modernise the bathroom with shower and bath

Convert to provide extra facilities, a utility room, bathroom or en-suite etc

If the site and plot warrant it – obtain outline planning permission.

What you might choose to do of course depends upon what you are starting with – what is already there and what’s missing! A second consideration for you – are you happy to continue to live with what you are doing?

If you want to find out more, or need advice about selling your property or buying one, contact one of the team who will be happy to help.

© 2012 evolve wealth news team