From boosting kerb appeal to staging effectively, here’s how to make your home more sellable and turn it into a buyer’s dream
Updated: 09 May 2024
As a mortgage broker or lender, you play a vital role in guiding clients through the UK property market. Preparing your client’s home for the market goes beyond just putting up a "for sale" sign. It’s about helping clients make smart changes that enhance their homes' salability.
2024 is shaping up to be a big year for brokers. Zoopla’s most recent House Price Index shows a rise in sales agreements across the UK, highlighting the need for standout listings. Of course, highlighting the best features of the home is the key to making a strong impression. What other steps can your client take to attract potential buyers?
This guide equips you with strategies to assist your clients, whether they're experienced sellers or new to the market. Let's dive into how you can turn your client’s home into a buyer’s dream.
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10 ways on how to make your house more sellable
You might be wondering: Is it possible to really increase my chances of selling my house with just a few minor changes? The answer is a resounding yes. Making your house more sellable will only involve a few key strategies.
First and foremost, it’s important to know when to sell. Which month is best to sell a house? Typically, the spring months of March, April, and May are considered the best times to sell a house. During this period, gardens are in bloom, the weather is improving, and families are looking to move during the summer break from school, which makes these months particularly busy for real estate.
Now onto the actual guide. Let’s focus on 10 ways on how to make your house more sellable without making any major renovations to the living space:
1. Depersonalise the space
To make your house appealing to as many buyers as possible, it's crucial to depersonalise it. This involves removing personal items such as:
- family photos
- personal collections
- distinctive decorations that reflect personal tastes
It’s one of the most inexpensive ways to get your house ready to sell.
Aim for a more neutral look that can appeal to a broader audience. Buyers should be able to picture themselves living in your house, which can be difficult if the decorating style is too specific or bold.
Painting walls in neutral colors like beige, soft grey, or white can transform the space, making them more inviting. A bright purple bedroom might turn off some buyers, but a light grey room would likely be more appealing.
2. Enhance kerb appeal
Another tip to make your house more sellable is making sure it has good kerb appeal. The exterior of your home is the first thing potential buyers will see, so making a good impression here is key.
Start by ensuring that the landscaping is tidy:
- mow the lawn
- trim the hedges
- clear away any debris
Consider adding a few new plants or flowers to add color and vibrancy. Repainting the front door or replacing an old mailbox can also have a significant impact. For example, a bright, welcoming color on the front door, like turquoise or red, can make your home stand out positively in buyers' memories.
A cottage with a brick path leading to it, a mowed lawn in front, and trimmed trees and bushes all around
3. Make minor repairs
Addressing minor repairs is essential in presenting your home as move-in ready. Walk through your home with the critical eye of a buyer and note any issues. Some examples of what to look out for:
- a dripping tap
- a squeaky door
- a loose tile
Fixing these issues before putting the house on the market can make a big difference.
For instance, repairing leaky faucets and ensuring all light fixtures work correctly shows that the home has been well cared for, which can ease concerns about maintenance issues.
Neglecting necessary repairs are common mistakes when selling your home that can turn off potential buyers.
4. Improve lighting
To make your house more appealing to buyers, focus on creating a welcoming atmosphere by maximising natural light. Good lighting is the magic that can make your home feel warm and welcoming.
You can do so by cleaning windows and opening blinds or curtains during showings. Adding lamps or installing higher wattage bulbs in darker rooms can also help.
Consider updating light fixtures to something more modern if they're dated. For instance, replacing an old chandelier with a stylish new pendant light can change the feel of a room and make it more attractive to buyers.
5. Do a spring clean
Start by decluttering. This one is so simple but is often overlooked.
Deep cleaning your home should include:
- shampooing carpets
- washing windows inside and out
- cleaning under and behind furniture
In kitchens and bathrooms, pay extra attention to grout lines, appliances, and fixtures. A clean and fresh-smelling home is more attractive and suggests that the property has been well-maintained.
“Space sells, the feeling of space and that the house is uncluttered sells properties. This is not necessarily about adding space. It is about making sure the space that you have is shown off to its maximum,” Leeds Building Society spokesperson Mark Hemmingway said.
6. Stage the home
Don’t underestimate the importance of staging the house.
Staging involves arranging furniture and decor to showcase your home's features and potential. What you could do to stage your home:
- remove clutter and excess furniture to make rooms look larger
- arrange furniture to highlight areas like a cosy fireplace or a large window
- rent modern furniture to replace older pieces
Setting up a small office in a spare bedroom could appeal to buyers who work from home, illustrating the versatility of the space.
To sell your house quickly, it’s not enough to ensure that it is well-staged. It should also come with proper advertisement on social media and showings to attract a wide array of potential buyers. A good sign your house will sell is consistent positive feedback on its condition and layout during open houses.
Watch this video for more home staging tips on how to make your house more sellable:
7. Offer a home warranty
This is not for everyone, but offering a home warranty can provide peace of mind to potential buyers. It covers the repair or replacement of many home appliances and systems that may fail.
Highlighting this offer in your listing can attract buyers who might be concerned about the costs associated with buying an older home. It's a reassurance that they won't face immediate, large out-of-pocket repair costs.
8. Upgrade for sustainability
Upgrading your home with sustainable features can significantly increase its marketability to environmentally conscious buyers. Consider installing energy-efficient windows and doors. Not only do they reduce energy costs, but they also appeal to buyers looking for eco-friendly homes. Adding solar panels can be a strong selling point, offering potential energy independence and lower electricity bills.
In addition, upgrading insulation and installing smart thermostats are practical improvements for energy efficiency and comfort. Showcasing a newly installed HVAC system that's energy efficient can reassure buyers of reduced future maintenance and utility costs, making your home more attractive in a competitive market.
“A house that is well insulated and has a modern heating system will prove more attractive to buyers than a house that is draughty and inefficient,” Hemmingway said.
9. Invest in professional photography
What sells a house in the UK often includes a well-maintained appearance both inside and out—and you’ll want a professional photographer to show that well.
High-quality photographs are crucial for making a strong first impression in online listings. Investing in professional work can dramatically enhance the appeal of your home, as these experts use lighting and angles to showcase your property at its best. They can highlight the spaciousness of rooms, the beauty of the home's architecture, and the attractiveness of key features like modern kitchens and luxurious bathrooms.
10. Update fixtures and hardware
Small details can have a significant impact. Update old or worn fixtures in key areas like the kitchen and bathroom. This might include replacing faucets, drawer pulls, and light fixtures with more modern and appealing versions.
For example, brushed nickel or stainless steel hardware can replace outdated brass to give cabinets a fresh look without a full renovation.
What adds the most resale value to a house in the UK?
Do you have more funds to spare? There are bigger improvements you can do to make your house more sellable. Each of these improvements requires an investment of time and money. The return on investment can vary based on the local market conditions and the quality of the work done.
It helps to consult with a real estate professional in your area to find out which improvements are most likely to increase the value of your home.
Kitchen remodels
The kitchen is often considered the heart of the home, making it a key focus for potential buyers. Updating your kitchen can be one of the most profitable improvements you can make. Modernising can involve:
- replacing outdated appliances with energy-efficient models
- upgrading countertops to durable and stylish materials like quartz or granite
- installing new cabinetry or refurbishing existing ones to freshen the look
An all-white kitchen with shiny knobs and drawer pulls, modern cooktop stove and matching microwave above it, and a white brick backsplash; and below, solid hardwood floors
These changes not only improve the functionality and aesthetic appeal of the kitchen but also tend to have a strong appeal to buyers, often offering a substantial return on investment as they can significantly boost the home's overall value.
Bathroom upgrades
Bathrooms are another critical area where upgrades can increase a home’s appeal. Updating the fixtures, such as faucets, showerheads, and toilets, to more modern and efficient models will work wonders. Replacing old tiles with fresh, modern alternatives and ensuring good lighting can also transform a dated bathroom into a spa-like space.
Adding living spaces
Expanding the livable space in your home can dramatically increase its market value. This can be achieved through conversions and extensions, such as transforming a basement, attic, or even a garage into additional living areas. A basement might be turned into a family room, home theatre, or a guest suite, while an attic could be converted into an extra bedroom or a home office.
These additions not only make the home larger but also more functional for potential buyers, who may see the added space as a major selling point. Such improvements are particularly valuable in areas where square footage comes at a premium.
What doesn’t add resale value to a house in the UK?
On the flip side, certain home improvements may not make your house more sellable. These features might be enjoyed by the current homeowner but could limit the property's marketability when it comes time to sell.
It's important to know what not to fix when selling a house in the UK since the chances of yielding a return on investment are too small.
Here are some excessive changes to watch out for:
Expensive landscaping
It’s true a well-maintained garden can boost kerb appeal, but investing in elaborate landscaping projects such as extensive water features, high-maintenance garden designs, or rare plant collections may not offer a good return on investment.
In fact, such features can be seen as a burden rather than a benefit by potential buyers. They might worry about the upkeep and cost required to maintain these elaborate landscapes.
Luxury upgrades
In the same vein, installing high-end amenities that are out of step with the neighborhood’s standards can also fail to add significant value.
For example, a home theater, sauna, or gourmet outdoor kitchen might be attractive features, but if they are uncommon in the area, they might not increase the property’s value much. Buyers may not be willing to pay extra for features that are not standard in the surrounding area.
Swimming pools
In the UK, where the climate does not typically support year-round use of outdoor pools, having a swimming pool can be more of a liability than an asset. The cost of maintenance and heating, along with the brief usage period, can make pools unattractive to buyers.
Ready for the next step in making your house more sellable?
While you've seen a number of ways to make your house more sellable, the real journey starts with action. Consider which improvements or adjustments will best suit your property and budget. Whether it's a minor fix, a major renovation, or simply staging your home for potential buyers, each step can bring you closer to a successful sale.
Don't wait for the perfect moment! Start now by assessing your home and identifying areas that need enhancement today. As Hemmingway put it: “Your house is usually your greatest asset, so make it work for you.”
Which one of the tips on how to make your house more sellable works best for you? Let us know in the comments
