How To Sell Your Home For More!

Homeowners want to sell their home for the maximum selling price, but most, don’t know how. Unfortunately, there is no silver bullet, but instead, there are lots of little things that you can do to increase your property’s value. Below is a list of some steps you can take before you put your house on the market that could add up to an extra £25K to the value of your home.

1. Broadband – 28% of buyers say they are willing to pay more for a good internet connection, and more surprising 71% of purchasers would turn down an otherwise perfect house if the internet was poor or not adequate. 

The first step is to take a look at your broadband speed, CoastnCountry’s Market Appraisal reports and Key Facts for Buyers will show you and prospective buyers what the maximum broadband speeds for that property are from all the major providers. Ask us for a free Market Appraisal report for your property today. 

2. Energy Efficiency – according to Halifax back in 2021, properties with the highest energy efficiency ratings were worth an average of £40k more than properties with the lowest ratings.  Over 60% of UK adults said they would be proud to own an energy efficient home. But it’s not just “A” ratings that are worth more, “C” ratings are worth £5k more than “D” ratings. Now, with the continued rise in energy prices with no end in sight, homebuyers are more focused on energy efficiency than ever before.

Before going to market, see if there are any changes you can make to get that energy rating up. Some fixes are really simple, such as changing all lights to LED, or adding a smart meter. Another big improvement is adding roof insulation, which costs an average of £300 for a semi-detached, which could bring up your EPC rating up by a whole letter and save £100s on energy costs every year. 

Don’t know your rating? The first place to check is Gov.uk’s EPC checker, there you can see your current rating and suggestions for improvement.  Don’t have a current EPC? No problem, CoastnCountry will order an EPC for your property as part of our service when you sell with us.  

3. New Driveway – If you don’t have a driveway or it has seen better days, then a new driveway could increase the value of your home by up to 10%. The average property in the North West is £212K so even a 5% increase would be an extra £10,600 in your pocket!

This simple fix doesn’t need to cost a lot, nor do you (usually) need planning permission, nor do you need to hire professionals. Block pavings are appealing to buyers, are easy to install and can last a lifetime. Gravel is even easier, still adds value and can be maintained with just a rake. If you don’t have a dropped kerb, you may need to get a permit from the council, to find out if you need one go to  Lancashire County Council’s dropped kerb page. 

4. Maximize your Garden – By maximizing the appearance of space in your garden you could add 10% to the value of your home. Start by clearing out all overgrowth and rubbish, then look at adding mirrors, adding raised beds, and layering your planting. There are loads of shows, posts, and articles about making your garden appear larger, these are a great way to get inspired. Also, don’t forget to fix your fence, buyers with pets and small children are looking for a safe outside space.

5. Planning Permission – If there is any potential to extend your property, get planning permission approved, even if it’s not something you want to do yourself. Planning permission will reassure potential buyers that there is the scope to upsize, and it will make them feel like they are getting a bargain.

You will need to spend some money getting designs drawn up and getting a survey done (but this is a good idea anyways in an older home), but you (and your agent) will be able to use those drawings to sell the dream of what your property could be. 

6. Set the Stage – Home staging has been used in the USA’s property market for years, it has been found to increase the selling price between 5-12% and sell homes faster. Home staging is expensive, costing anywhere from £700 to £2,500, and is not practicable nor necessary for everyone. Instead, you can do many of the same things yourself for a lot less money. Below is a list of the essentials to home staging that will help sell your home faster and for more money:

• Depersonalise: remove family photos and personal items. This will allow buyers to visualise living in your home rather than making them feel like intruders.
• Declutter: get rid of mess and excessive clutter such as small appliances on the kitchen counter, books crammed on the shelf, and the collection of shampoo bottles in the shower (or is that just me?)
• Go neutral: bold colours or quirky designs may put some buyers off, so it’s always best to go for a neutral palette.
• Emphasise space: use smaller furnishings, mirrors and light colours to make rooms seem larger and more spacious.
• Add greenery: flowers, even if they’re fake, will make your home a more pleasant place to be. Add a few potted plants in key rooms around the home.
• Don’t over stage: petals on the bed, cookies in the oven or a setting for a fancy meal may make buyers think you have something to hide.

If in Doubt, Ask Us!

We here at CoastnCountry know what it takes to sell for the maximum price and we are happy to advise on any improvements to make your home more sellable. Want to find out more? Please contact kellie or Sarah at coastncountry.co.uk or call 01524 389814.