Managing Director of Manning Stainton, Mark Manning, shares the best ways to boost your home’s interior and exterior design and raise the value of your property for prospective buyers.
First impressions count
The look of your home from the outside is critical in giving a great first impression, both for visitors arriving for a house viewing and any other potential buyer who drives by. Tidying up the front garden and hiding the wheelie bins around the back are very simple ways to boost your home’s curb appeal, but also consider giving the front door a new coat of paint and rendering the exterior to help your home maintain a modern look.
Define purpose
Following the same method as housing developers, each room of your house should be presented exactly as it should be intended to be used when put on the market. Taking the time to follow this showroom approach will make your home more presentable. No matter how many rooms you have, make sure that at least one of these is a dedicated office space. The evolution of home working has made this a recent necessity, so be prepared for buyers’ hybrid work questions, including broadband speeds and landline signals.
Keep it green
Sustainability has become a hot topic lately. For raising your property value, it has become even more important to find ways in reducing your own home’s carbon footprint. Solar panels, double glazed windows, and LED lights are all options to consider investing in to keep your home’s energy performance certificate that little bit greener, while also keeping it cheap and efficient to run.
Clean it up
Neutrality is key to presenting your home well. Tidy and freshen up all corners of the house with a neutral, clean theme throughout your home. Decluttering applies especially for the front hallway where those important first impressions for viewers are made upon arrival. Don’t leave your coats and shoes piled up in the front hallway, and make sure to remove any pet paraphernalia. Unfortunately, as much as you love your pet, not everybody is a dog or cat lover, and removing the pet evidence before a viewing will avoid any bad impressions. The kitchen and bathroom are always where most money will be spent, and investing in modern, integrated appliances will make a good impression.
Going outside
The larger widespread appreciation for the great outdoors has made a home’s outside space an important element to focus on. A low maintenance garden is often the better way to improve its appeal, which can easily be done by keeping plant varieties down to a minimum and opting for artificial lawns instead of natural turf. A nice patio area is also always a big bonus, with comfortable furniture set up for al fresco dining.
Manningstainton.co.uk
