Maximising your property's selling appeal and value

Maximising your property's selling appeal and value: top strategies for UK homeowners 

If you’ve lived in your current home for a number of years, it can be a rewarding experience to benefit from any property price growth in that time when you move onto your next property. But before you can start your next chapter, you have to sell your current home first. While you could put your home on the market straight away, it is often worth investing in some improvements beforehand to boost its value and appeal to ensure you get the most competitive selling price.

In this article, we’ll explore the best low and high cost ways to increase your property's selling appeal and value, helping you make the most of your property when it comes to selling.

Best ways to improve house value:

Update the kitchen

Investment cost: £5,000 - £25,000, depending on size, materials used and level of customisation 

How long will it take? 4 weeks or longer

Potential property value uplift: 10%

The kitchen is often thought of as the heart of the home, and one of the most used spaces in a house. If your kitchen is outdated or out of step with current styles, modernising it with new appliances, countertops, and fixtures can help increase the appeal of your property to potential buyers.

Upgrade the bathroom

Investment cost: £7,200 for the average cost of fitting a new bathroom

How long will it take? 5 days

Potential property value uplift: 4-5%

A renovated bathroom can significantly increase your property's value. New tiles, fixtures, and a fresh coat of paint can work wonders, and there are ways to keep the costs low, for example by avoiding bespoke fixtures.

Build into the loft

Investment cost: Upwards of £22,500, depending on the property size and type of conversion

How long will it take? 4 weeks or longer

Potential property value uplift: 10% - 20%

Converting your loft into a usable space, such as an additional bedroom, can significantly increase your property's value. Alternatively, if your property has a basement or garage, consider converting it into a living area, home gym, or even office space to appeal to remote workers.

Invest in an extension

Investment cost: £30,000 - £140,000 for single storey and £105,000 - £155,000 for two storey extension.

How long will it take? 7 - 15 months or longer

Potential property value uplift: 15%

Adding an extension, such as a conservatory, an extra room or a new two storey section, can substantially expand your living space and boost your property's worth. If properties in the area all have 3 bedrooms and you can extend yours to include a 4th, this is a significant selling point!

Ensure your energy efficiency is top-notch

Investment cost: £1,400 - £10,000

How long will it take? A couple of hours

Potential property value uplift: 2-6%

Proper insulation can make your home more energy-efficient and comfortable, as does replacing old windows and doors. This is an attractive quality for potential buyers, particularly those who are eco-conscious or concerned about rising energy costs. Consider adding in cavity wall insulation, floor insulation and roof insulation to increase the energy efficiency of your home before listing.

Enhance curb appeal 

Potential property value uplift: 1-5%

A well-maintained garden can substantially increase your property's value and appeal. Treat your outdoor space as an extension of your home. For example, creating an outdoor seating area or a functional outdoor kitchen will help show interested buyers how they could use the space. While opting for low-maintenance plants and landscaping features will make it more attractive to a broader range of potential buyers.

First impressions matter

As well as more costly investments, there are small changes you can make to your property to increase its attractiveness. Keeping your property in good condition through regular maintenance and fixing any issues promptly will help avoid them becoming more significant problems which could deter buyers.

You could also consider some low-cost improvements to the decor of your home. For example, opting for a new lick of paint in neutral colours and installing better lighting can make your home feel more inviting. While a new security system or thermostat can make your property more attractive to tech-savvy buyers.

Lastly, ensuring your home is clean and clutter-free is vital to boosting the appeal of your home. It’s worth considering professional cleaning and decluttering before listing your property, so viewers can see the potential in your property instead of just mess!