As house prices continue to remain buoyant throughout the UK, more and more homeowners are planning to sell.  Most are beginning to decorate and renovate in order to get the maximum possible price for their property and inspired by social media, many are turning to the new trend of upcycling and transforming their homes at a fraction of the cost of buying items at full price.

Improve presentation to add value

Some buyers are looking for fixer-uppers and are happy to put in the work to put a stamp on their new home. It seems though, that the majority, however, are looking for the finished article – and whether it’s renovating your front door or revamping a built in wardrobe, small changes can make a big difference when it comes to selling. According to DIY experts, improving the presentation of your home and maximising its marketability could add as much as £10,000 onto its value.*

How can you add up to £10,000 onto your property’s price tag?

Upcycling involves taking an existing item and repurposing it to avoid throwing it away. It’s now a common practice in interior design and the quirky nature of upcycling means that it’s not too difficult to create something that could make your home stand out. If, like me, you’re not the handiest with the tool kit, don’t worry! The internet is a wonderful place to start and is full of inspiring ideas – there are many websites brimming with images of bookshelves made from ladders, bicycle wheels turned into clocks and much more. This kind of statement piece is sure to make your home memorable for a potential buyer and even though these items may not be sold with the home, it’s all about displaying the potential for your property to be a unique and interesting place to live.

Boost kerb appeal to attract more buyers

If you’re looking to sell quickly, the fastest and most effective way to improve the value of your home is kerb appeal. The front of your home is the first thing potential buyers see when they approach your property and according to the experts* this is one area in which you must impress. But, instead of spending money on new uPVC window frames, why not repaint existing wooden ones in a contemporary colour to breathe new life into them? The same goes for the front door – adding a fresher outer appearance with small touches like a shiny, eye-catching door number can add value to your home.

How to get started

Why not try these simple steps to transform your front door?

• Use tape to protect the areas that could get splashed with paint i.e letterbox, doorbell or frame
• Apply paint stripper to remove the old, worn paint from the door, or simply sand down the surface and brush away the dust if the original paintwork is not too thick
• Prepare and apply a primer across the areas you plan to paint
• Wait for the primer to dry before applying the first coat of coloured gloss/exterior paint
• Paint your door carefully and evenly for the best finish – smaller areas can be painted with a brush and the larger areas with a roller to save time and give a smoother finish
• Once dry, apply a second layer of paint
• Add an upcycled knocker, number, door bell or letter box frame for a contemporary finish
• Use copper or brass cleaner and very fine steel wool to polish the door’s metal accessories
• Stand back and admire!

It really is that easy! By taking action and being inventive with what you already have, you create desirability and with this, you could potentially add a substantial amount to the value of your home.

If you would like to discover what your home could be worth today, give us a call and we will be pleased to come out and provide you with a free pre-sale/pre-rental valuation and discuss your property requirements.