Douglas & Gordon's Tips for Increasing House Resale Value

Those planning on selling their apartment or house obviously hope to achieve the best selling price possible. What do you do, however, when a good figure looks less than likely?

Depending on your budget, there are a number of ways to increase the resale value of the property.

Low cost solutions

The first step is to clean up and declutter! Messy, crowded houses do not a good impression make, whether it be in person or a photograph. Rearrange items if need be, in order to maximise space and present the property in its best possible light. Consulting your agent is also a wise step, since they are well-trained in the field of property sales and can advice you as to what changes should be made.

Investing around £1k into your property

You never get a second chance to make a good first impression, as the famous quote goes. So you need to ensure that you make that first impression count. For a small amount of money, you can make a rather significant different. Clean up your garden, and tame unruly plants. Take a look at the front of your house – is the paint on the front door peeling? Are there sagging shelves in the kitchen? These types of issues are quick and easy to remedy.

Repaint any walls that are looking less-than-impressive, particularly in the kitchen and bathroom. Nobody enjoys a bathroom wall artistically decorated with mould. Director Ed Mead cautions homeowners, however, to be aware of the fact that repainting may make what’s left looking rather under-par.  

Investing around £5k and over

If you’re prepared to spend a bit more, around £5k, then following all of the above, as well as freshening up all the paint, performing small repairs and replacing carpets (if necessary) will yield sensible results.

“If your kitchen and bathrooms are in poor condition these are potential downers for a buyer but you’d need to add another £10k to your budget, but ultimately the more you can do the better the returns,” advises Ed. “In these times of austerity and stretching to buy, anything that lessen a buyer’s need to spend yet more money is important.”