Sell your house for max profit!
With 86 per cent of properties going for less than the asking price, we’ve got some expert tips to help you get the most you possibly can when the time comes to move on
We asked the experts to share W their tips, and found that there are lots of easy ways to boost your home’s profit potential. Ready, set, sell!
BE REALISTIC
Tempting as it is, picking the agent who promises you the highest price could end in tears – and no sale – because overpriced properties are hard to shift. Speak to several local estate agents to find an average, and ask friends who have recently sold – or look on Zoopla to see what similar properties have sold for in the area. Above all, be realistic – you won’t always see a return on renovation costs, so manage your expectations.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT TIMING
Houses tend to sell quicker when they’re looking their best, according to specialists at Moneyguru.com, and one way to ensure your home is at its most impressive is to put it on the market at the right time of year. Spring is a prime time, as the brighter weather will help make your garden look lush, and your property look bigger and lighter. Also bear in mind that summer holidays are hectic for families, so a sale at that time could be less likely.
TIDY YOUR BEDROOM AND GAIN £8,000
Giving your home a quick vacuum before a viewing (or a valuation) is one of the easiest things you can do, but it’s brilliantly effective. Research from ING Direct shows a messy bedroom can knock up to £8,000 off the value of a house. It doesn’t mean throwing things out permanently, but clearing surfaces like kitchen worktops and bathroom sinks. And ensure that washing up, clothes and toiletries are stored neatly, as it’ll make your home look not just smarter, but bigger, too.
MOW THE LAWN TO UP THE PRICE BY A FIFTH
You’ve pored over every detail inside, but have you thought about the garden? According to Kai Feller, co-founder of professional network Bark. com, an overgrown garden can devalue a property by 20 per cent. Keep grass neat and prevent plants from becoming overgrown. Ensuring small outdoor details are in good working order – like washing lines hanging straight and doorbells working properly – will all contribute to the image of a smart, desirable property.
SWITCH NUMBERS TO BOOST SALES
If your house number is 13, consider changing it. “Superstition can have a major influence on house prices,” says Kai, “swapping a number 13 for a name like Rose Cottage can boost your profits by up to £4,000.” Just write to the Highways Department of your local council, who will tell Royal Mail, and notify people who write to you regularly, like your GP and the bank.