If you are planning to sell your house, it is important to make it appealing to buyers. You may think that a lick of paint could not possibly make a significant difference to value or sale time, but you might be surprised.
It is very difficult to put a figure on how much redecorating adds to house value as it completely depends on the original condition and extent of the decoration. If you are planning minor DIY-level decoration, rather than adding zeros to your asking price, you are more likely to attract people in the first place and convert them to buyers once they come and visit.
Photos of a bright, well-maintained property are much more appealing than something scruffy and well-worn, and the same is true when a potential buyer steps through the door.
So, does decorating add value to a property? Potentially, but the real value is in making your home significantly more saleable, full stop. This may ultimately mean a higher sale value as you could avoid dropping the asking price to entice a sale.
When clients ask us about decorating for a house sale, we suggest prioritising your efforts with what makes the biggest impact when a stranger walks through the door. The three first jobs you should tackle before going anywhere near a paint sample or carpet shop are:
Decluttering may sound very basic… and it is, but it really is the most important thing to make your house appealing. Buyers are looking for space. A cluttered home suggests a lack of space and also distracts from all the real attributes.
Remove excessive personal items, get rid of things you do not need or want, organise your storage spaces and give the whole house a good clean. This will also help when it comes to moving as you will have less to organise and pack when the time comes.
Like clutter, cracked tiles, leaks, wonky doors and other minor maintenance issues are very distracting when looking round a property. These may be things that you have lived with for years and barely notice but sorting them out once and for all will let your property shine and appear less of a ‘fixer upper’.
With a clutter-free, clean and maintained home, you can get started on decorating. Again, start with the things that will make the biggest difference. Make a list of tasks and look at it objectively; what will actually make a difference to a sale and what would be a waste of time?
Everyone has different tastes when it comes to home décor but your goal as a seller is to allow potential buyers to picture themselves living in a space. Neutral colours such as cream, beige and white can make a room feel bigger, brighter, cleaner and more modern. Buyers will not be distracted by strong colour pallets and instead focus on how their furniture would look or how they might add their own personality.
Do not forget to repaint skirting boards and trims that may have become scuffed or worn over time.
Good lighting makes rooms brighter, feel larger and more inviting. Update old-fashioned fixtures and make sure all the bulbs are working. You might consider adding extra lights: even lamps and fairy lights can transform a room.
We would rarely suggest people spend a fortune replacing carpets for a sale, but you could use your judgement. If an old, worn, stained carpet is dominating a room and making it feel unwelcoming, consider cleaning it or replacing it with something in your budget.
If some of your furniture is very tatty, you may want to get rid of it or store it until after the sale. Again, you want potential buyers to feel welcome and comfortable in your home, not wondering what the mystery stain is in on your cat-scratched sofa.
Arrange furniture thoughtfully to show off each room to its full potential. Cushions, throws, artwork and plants make perfect finishing touches when used sparingly to accentuate an area.
The best place to start when thinking of decorating is to look around each room with ‘fresh eyes’. Imagine yourself as a stranger: what do you notice? An overflowing laundry hamper, dirty windows, chipped bathroom tiles, missing cupboard handles, and garish wallpaper are all things you may not be conscious of on a day-to-day basis but immediately grab the attention of a newcomer.
Use the ‘fresh eyes’ technique throughout the process of decorating to assess your progress.
It can be very difficult to know whether decorating is worth the money, time and effort when selling a property. After all, you do not want to invest hugely in something you are not going to enjoy yourself. This is where your estate agent can help.
Once you have decluttered and made a list of tasks you plan to tackle, show your estate agent and ask if they agree with your choices. With years of experience and the benefit of impartiality when it comes to your home’s appearance, they are in a great position to help decide what will actually make a difference.
At Charters, our team of local estate agents have been helping people sell their properties for years. We would be happy to lend our expertise as your approach the market and discuss any decorating plans you may have. Please get in touch and our friendly team will answer all your questions.
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