Tip“Most people who are thinking of selling their home or looking to improve it to add value will consider the merits of a trip to the DIY store, some will even consider doing some building work in the hope of adding value but not all buyers will be prepared to pay for your idea of improvements or good taste. Some buyers would even prefer to be able to put their own mark on a property and install the bathroom or kitchen of their choosing and may even pay for the chance to be able to do so. It’s therefore essential that you think carefully why you are spending extra money and who will benefit. My advice is usually “spend money on the things that you want and leave other improvements to the next person who may not share your taste.
Most buyers prefer to pay for the opportunity to be able to add an attic conversion, kitchen extension or convert a basement. Getting planning permission to do the work is frequently the best investment you can make leaving the actual choice of layout, decoration and equipment to the next owner. Improving the green credentials of a house usually pays - a new boiler, insulation or energy saving measure along with security improvements will usually pay off but some additions like solar panels will be hard to get a payback on immediately.
My advice to most people is that the best investment they can make is to buy a bucket, sponge and some cleaning materials. There is always value in giving the right first impressions and letting buyers go away discussing the potential of the property rather than the rim around the bath can add pounds to your price. Unless you really know the market and what people really want then you are better off making clear the potential in your property and letting their imagination do the rest. A clean, tidy property will always command more than a scruffy home that looks like a skip!”
