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Adding Value

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There are many things that affect the market value of a property, location, location, location being just one. Some others depend on the current economic climate, some on the real climate and how it affects the environment. Others still are down to the specifics of the property itself.

If I'm Staying Put

In his book, 'The Richest Man In Babylon' George C. Clason wrote that the fifth cure for a lean purse is "Make of thy dwelling a profitable investment'. Obviously pre-empting the arrival of the TV home makeover show, he inferred that conducting carefully considered home improvements is the best way of making money from your property without moving. The right improvements, done well, can more than pay for themselves, in fact.

Top of the list are:

 

  • Refurbishing a bathroom.

  • If the property has several bedrooms, converting one to a second bathroom.

  • Fitting a master bedroom suite. (As you can see, bathrooms are a big deal for most of us.)

  • Building a garage.

  • Installing central heating.

  • Anything that gives your property additional living space such as a loft conversion, house extension or conservatory.


Of course, if you're thinking of adding to your property, always ensure to stay in keeping with the original building style or you may end up with one of Prince Charles's carbuncles. The amenities needed to support a new loft space or extension also need very careful consideration.

 

If I'm Selling Up And Moving On

Should you be putting your home on the market, it's important that every aspect of the property's layout is airy and uncluttered.

Keep everything as neutral as possible some viewers may hate your colour schemes as much as others love them.

Try and organise the place to look spacious and fresh. In fact, there's nothing like a fresh coat of paint or wood stain to add a bit of zest.

Think ORGANISED, NEUTRAL, IMMACULATE and SPACIOUS. And if you need a way to remember that list then just think ONIS for short. It just happened that way, really. You can add FRESH to that list too, if you want.

Imagine you're looking to buy your house. Approach the front door and look around carefully. What do you see?

 

  • Gates and fences: Neutral and Immaculate.

  • Patios and paths: Organised, Neutral, Immaculate and Spacious.

  • Landscape and flowerbeds: Organised, Neutral and Spacious.

  • Windows and doors: Neutral, Immaculate and Fresh.

  • FaƧade and pointing: Organised, Neutral, Immaculate and Fresh.

  • Guttering and pipes: Organised and Immaculate.

 

Right, you go in through the front door to see inside. What greets you?

 

  • Walls and cornices: Neutral, Immaculate and Fresh.

  • Windows and ledges: Immaculate.

  • Floors and carpets: Organised, Neutral, Immaculate and Fresh.

  • Furnishings and fittings: Neutral, Immaculate and Fresh.

  • Surfaces: Immaculate.

  • Rooms and corridors: Organised, Neutral, Immaculate, Spacious and Fresh.

 

Well, okay, you might not be able to tick them all off but the more you do, the more attractive your house will appear to potential buyers and the more chance you'll have of making a quick sale.

Here are some other points to consider that give a house extra buyer appeal:

 

  • It's close to good schools and hospitals.

  • It's close to public transport especially Underground stations.

  • It's situated off a main road.

  • There's access to private parking.

  • It has the potential to be extended.

  • It's close to parks and greenery.

  • The locality has a registered Neighbourhood Watch program.

  • The locality has low employment and a balanced demographic.

 

And finally, this is a subtle point but one that's often overlooked. A sprinkling of senior citizens in the area has many positive implications. There's a general sense of community and safety provided by the older generation and an overall feeling of affluence too. Families appreciate the balance provided by a group of senior citizens in otherwise youthful areas and their presence can be a valued asset. Bless 'em.