Your home is arguably your biggest financial asset – so when you come to sell it, there is an obvious desire to get the best possible price.
While many people may wait until after Christmas to put their home on the market, some careful thought, affordable changes and spot of seasonal DIY may add value to your home as the decorations come down and the new year approaches.
Estate agent Sue Snaith, of Harrison Murray, said: “There always seems to be so much going on in the run-up to Christmas, and for many people home improvements are the last thing on their mind.
“However, if you can find some time amidst all the preparations and shopping, planning and carrying out some fairly simple DIY and housekeeping tricks with minimum disruption may have the desired effect of adding value and put you ahead of the game when you come to market your property after Christmas.”
Her top tips of Christmas include:
Spruce up your paintwork with a fresh neutral look throughout, – simple and effective.
Hire a carpet-cleaning machine for the weekend and give your carpets a deep-cleansing shampoo. You may want to leave this until any guests have left.
Giving your kitchen a makeover doesn’t have to cost the Earth – you can give it a new lease of life by replacing cupboard doors, drawer fronts and worktops. This is far cheaper than a complete kitchen overhaul. DIY stores often have sales on at this time of year.
Replacing the grouting around sinks and baths will give an instant brighter and cleaner look.
Make sure the doorbell and smoke alarms are in good working order and replace the batteries if necessary – a small, but valid point.
DIY enthusiasts could sand original floorboards and either paint them or stain them; hiring a sander is not very expensive.
With windows, focus on replacing any broken panes and repairing the frames. Repaint them then add new draught seals to improve energy efficiency and reduce noise pollution.
Updating light fittings is pretty easy and may even give a whole new look to a room. Adding in energy-saving light bulbs will save cash too.
Don’t overlook the garage – statistics show that 55% of us don’t use the garage to park the car in. Try and keep it tidy and store all items on shelves to give an impression of space rather than clutter.
It may not be typical gardening weather, but whatever the season it is important to show off your outdoor space. Make sure all tools and toys are packed away out of sight. A few colourful potted containers will help to cheer up the wintry outdoors.
Last but not least, be prepared when your agent arranges a viewing. Tidy up as best you can and get ready to show off your home to its true potential – and wait for that all-important offer.