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How to increase the saleability of your home

By David McEvoy

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Published: 01May2008
Word count: 872
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The recent economic crisis is not exactly welcome news for house sellers. Basically it means that in the coming months it may be more difficult to sell your home due to lenders being more selective about whom they choose to lend cash to, so some people are likely to find home loans more difficult to obtain meaning less buyers on the market for the houses that are available for sale. Not only that, but house prices are also expected to fall, so if you want to sell your home in the near future, then anything you can do to make it more attractive to potential buyers has got to be a positive move.

On the other hand it may be that you decide not to sell up and move or haven't even considered selling and would prefer to stay put, and if this is the case then why not consider improving your home anyway. If you lack the imagination to re-design your home yourself then a professional interior designer can make a significant difference, you define the budget, they arrange the work. The following tips will not only make your house more pleasant to live in, it may actually increase the value and/or the saleability of your home into the bargain.

Build an extension

According to recent research by Halifax, an extension is one of the most effective ways of adding value to your home, not to mention the advantages of having an increased amount of space. However, for valuation purposes the extension must be well built, so that it is structurally safe and finished off to perfection and must comply with planning regulations. This doesn't mean adding on a conservatory, which is just not the same thing as a properly built extension to your home; however, a conservatory is still a good idea.

Carry out a loft conversion

If you have a decent sized loft that is going to waste then converting this into usable space will be a worthwhile measure. In fact, anything that increases the amount of available space in your home is an advantage.

Install a fitted kitchen

A well fitted kitchen ranks very high amongst points considered by potential buyers so if you haven't done it already, invest in a new fitted kitchen. The kitchen is the hub of most homes and as such, is worthy of attention not only for practical reasons but aesthetic ones too.

Decorate

First impressions are absolutely critical so if your walls, ceilings, skirting boards and floors are looking a bit worse for wear, spruce up your home by re-decorating. It may not add thousands of pounds to the value of your home but it will give you an instant lift and will breathe a breath of fresh air into your home making it appear far more pleasant and inviting to any potential buyers.

Tidy up the garden

Again, a tidy well presented garden will create a first impression to anyone viewing your home for the first time so if yours could do with a bit of a make over and you haven't got the inclination or the time and energy to do it yourself, call in a gardener, it's amazing what dramatic effects can be achieved in a relatively short space of time.

What reduces the saleability of your home?

It's also worth taking a look at some points that might reduce the saleability of your home or make it a less appealing place to live.

- Mould growing across walls or ceilings is not only cosmetically undesirable, it can be a health hazard and is likely to put any potential buyers off no matter how good the rest of the house may be. Get rid of it.

- Lack of a garden can be a disadvantage unless your home is in a highly sought after and prestigious area such as in certain parts of London.

- No parking space is likely to put some people off. If you don't have a space to park your car it's worth looking at other options such as possibly turning part of the garden, if you have one, into a driveway. Check planning regulations first.

- An untidy house and garden, poor decoration, shabby furniture and unpleasant smells in the home will significantly reduce its saleability.

It's extremely important to weigh up the cost of any alterations or improvements to your home against the potential value to be added or you may end up paying out more than what you are likely to gain. Some changes may not improve the value of your home as such but it will make it more attractive, either to potential buyers or just for your own enjoyment so in cases like this, if you can afford it, the cost can be justified.

Finally, you don't get a second chance to make a first impression as they say, so if you want to increase the saleability of your home you might need to put a bit of effort in to get the right result. If you do it well, and take all the relevant factors into consideration, it can be well worth your time, money and energy in the long run.

David McEvoy is an expert in interior design. If you are looking for a leather sofa to give the finishing touches to a newly decorated room then please come and visit our site.

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