If you’re considering selling your home, you might be wondering about how to get the best price once it goes on the market.
Renovating your property is one way to increase its value, but there are certain modifications that can actually have the opposite effect. Here are some of the renovations to avoid if you’re hoping to reach that dream selling price.
1. Getting rid of the bath
Showers are a huge selling point. Removing the bath entirely can open up a small bathroom and provide extra space. However, some potential buyers will see this as a negative.
Families with young children, those who are planning to start a family, and pet owners may prefer the convenience of a bath. They need to bathe the kids and wash muddy paws. That missing bath may also be a deal-breaker for those who enjoy a relaxing soak in the tub after a long day.
To improve sales appeal, make sure that both options are available. If the bathroom is small, install a power shower over the bathtub instead of a separate shower cubicle.
2. In-your-face decorating
Your home should always be a reflection of your personality but those personal touches could put people off once it’s time to sell.
Funky wallpaper, patterned carpets and bold, bright colours aren’t to everyone’s taste. What you consider to be home improvements, others may view as mistakes. Some people may struggle to see past them. Dark colours such as blacks, blues and greys can also make a property feel gloomy and uninviting.
Instead, go for neutral tones such as beige, brown and cream. Always choose light pastel colours over dark shades as these can be easily painted over or covered.
3. Painted wooden floors
Real wooden floors are a highly sought-after feature in homes. They can add a lot of character and value. While they can look really quirky and trendy when painted, this may ruin their value in the eyes of your buyers.
Stripping the paint and refinishing the wood can be expensive and time-consuming. This can easily put people off—especially if there are other renovations that need to be done.
4. Poor-quality DIY
DIY is a great way to save money when renovating your home—if done correctly. Using cheap materials, working beyond your abilities or ignoring planning permission can actually cost you more money in the long run.
Shoddy workmanship, bad paint jobs and unauthorised renovations can make potential buyers run a mile. To increase the value of your home, it is worth investing in professional decorators, builders and home renovation experts.
Make sure that important features such as doors and windows are up to standard. Making these subtle home improvements can greatly contribute towards the first impressions of your home to potential buyers.
5. Creating a home office
A home office can be the ideal use for the box room in your home but you need to consider how easily it can be converted back to a bedroom after sale.
If your property is advertised as a three-bedroom home, many people will expect to see three liveable bedrooms. This is even more important if you own a family-style home in an area with great schools. Avoid installing anything like built-in shelving or cable management solutions that can be difficult to remove.
Thinking about selling your home?
If you’re considering selling up and purchasing a new home, speak to the experts at Linked Financial to make sure you’re eligible to purchase the home of your dreams. Alternatively, if you’re thinking of remortgaging to fund your home improvements, contact us to discuss your options.
