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Published: 02 March 2022

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Your property could be one of the biggest and best investments you make in your lifetime, so why not make the most of it by adding as much value as you can. The rule of thumb when it comes to adding value is to utilise what you already have. Any additions that are too costly might not bring you much of a return when the time comes to sell up, so work with the space you have and think about how it could be transformed to make it more useful.

We have compiled some of the most worthwhile home improvements and additions that can add value to your home and make it more appealing to potential buyers. Remember to always find out how much your property is worth before adding value!

Get spring ready in garden
As a nation, we value the addition of outdoor space, particularly after the events of the last few years. The pandemic encouraged buyers to escape to the countryside, shifting the need for outdoor space even higher on buyers’ wish lists. Making your garden feel like another reception room adds heaps of value to your home, especially if it is currently somewhat neglected. Simply adding decking or a patio and outdoor furniture can turn a garden into a great entertaining space. Summer houses are another welcome addition, particularly when staged as an extra room to enjoy. 

Make the most of the garden space you have
Whether you have a big garden or not, first impressions count! So, if you're selling your property you need to give the garden space that much needed curb appeal in order to gain the right attention! Even simple things like tidying up the lawn or sweeping up the leaves make all the difference.



Convert the garage
Most people would prefer an extra reception room to a garage. If you have permission to do so, then you could convert the garage to add extra square footage to your home. Depending on where your garage is located, they can make fantastic playrooms for children or home offices, which again, is another hugely important asset in today’s modern world of working from home. 



Add an additional bedroom with a loft conversion
Loft conversions are a sure-fire way to add value to your home. Most houses don’t require planning permission to convert the loft and they make really stunning rooms. 

How much value does a loft conversion add? Research conducted by the Nationwide Building Society found that adding a loft conversion can increase the value of your home by up to 20%.

Add a parking space
Having somewhere to park the car is a big plus for most buyers. In 2014, 29.6 million cars were registered for use in the UK, which is a 9% increase on the previous year. We clearly do like our vehicles and parking spots are becoming even more scarce, making them especially valuable. Even if your buyers don’t drive, they will value the space for when family and friends come to visit. If you don’t already have parking but do have a front garden, consider paving part of it to create off-road parking. You might have to apply to have the kerb dropped, but it’s still well worth investigating.



Add a conservatory and increase living space
Conservatories are another great way of adding square footage to your property. Consider adding one next to your dining area or kitchen to increase the size of this hugely appreciated space. And make sure you keep it at a comfortable temperature as any rooms that are too hot or cold could put buyers off.



Boost the value with kitchen renovations 
Kitchens are the heart of the home and there’s nothing more appealing than a big welcoming room in which to cook up a feast and entertain. If you only want to improve one room, then definitely concentrate on the kitchen and add a few wow-factor touches to really make it stand out. Consider upgrading the doors of your cabinets, and replacing the tiles and worktops in your kitchen to give the room an instant facelift, on a budget

Add an extension to the kitchen
Expanding the kitchen onto the side and to the full width of the rest of the property means that you will gain valuable space. As previously mentioned, a big open plan kitchen presents a warm welcome and inviting environment - which is guaranteed to add value to your property in the long run. 

Overhaul your bathroom
After the kitchen, your bathroom should be next on the list for an overhaul if it’s looking dated. Opt for a crisp white suite so it appeals to lots of people and add a few ultra-stylish features to make it a room to remember. This can be an expensive investment, however, if it's something that needs doing then it becomes a necessity. You may be able to get away with just a fresh lick of paint.



Make sure your home is structurally sound
At the very least, make sure you fix any structural problems before you put your house on the market to maximise your chances of getting your asking price. If your property is structurally unsound, buyers are likely to use this as leverage to negotiate as they will know they will have to invest money upfront fixing those problems. 



Turn your home green
Not literally, your house is fine the colour it is… BUT, making your home more environmentally friendly with the likes of solar panels, wind turbines and good insulation - this can increase its value. If your home is cheaper to run, it will stand out in the property market and you can usually add a premium to the price. 



Go for double glazing 
Don't have double glazed windows in your home? This is definitely one of the best ways to add value to your home. Double glazing is a standard in most new homes these days, if your home is relatively old, you may find that it still has single glazing. This puts you at a disadvantage, as potential buyers may be put off by this – so we recommend you get this sorted as soon as you can. 

Get that kerb appeal
There are a number of different ways to add value to your home and improve the kerb appeal of yours. This could be a fresh coat of paint, new plants in your garden, new iron fencing or a brand new front door. Whatever approach you to take, make sure your home looks appealing from the outside. First impressions count and will go a long way to adding value to your home!



Contact us
If you're looking to sell your sell your home, we would love to hear from you!
Email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or ring the office directly on 01934 815 053.

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Published: 17 February 2022

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Moving to a new house can be a stressful time, particularly if a sale falls through. Don’t worry if this happens as there are often ways to get it back on track. Read through this blog article where we talk about the potential pitfalls to avoid during your negotiations and share some tips to help your sale move forward. 

Surveys
If something unexpected comes up in a survey, it may be a big enough problem to make the sale fall through. 

Typically we do see most house sales fall through due to survey reports. Unexpected work picked up on a survey may cause some purchasers to walk away from a sale. It is advisable that if works needs to be carried out at a property, it would be beneficial to rectify them before the property goes on the market.

Chain
A chain can fall apart for many reasons, and sometimes people can get bored of waiting and find a house elsewhere. The results of a single break can be huge, a sale falling through at the bottom of a chain of sales can potentially jeopardise all of the others, causing a domino effect. Being in a chain-free position as a seller can be a huge advantage. 



During a Negotiation
Negotiations can be a tricky time, and you can find yourself dealing with surprising demands. It is worth being flexible, and remembering that small details should not be a make-or-break on your deal. This is also where choosing the right estate agent for you can be important, as the agent will be negotiating on your behalf. 



People changing their mind and pulling out 
Situations change all the time. Someone could lose their job, a family member could become ill, or people can simply have second thoughts. At times, as much as the buyer wants to move ahead, they may just not be able to. The current market can make it very difficult for vendors to find an onward purchase and the economic uncertainty can trigger buyers getting cold feet or having issues with financing. 

What should you do next?
If a sale falls through, the best thing to do is to brush it off and get the property back onto the market without delay, commencing with a new marketing campaign. If the property has fallen through due to an issue arising from a survey, such as dampness or a structural issue, this should be discussed with the estate agent. 



How can you prevent a sale from falling through?
Don’t forget to check your mortgage status before putting in an offer to ensure that you will be accepted to buy the home. You should always remember to be patient, especially when waiting for sales to go through. The negotiation stage can be the most frustrating as you want the sale to move ahead quickly, but it is worth taking a step back and letting the negotiations take their course. 

The most important thing is to choose an agent who will be able to constantly chase your sale through, no matter if it is in a chain of not.

Contact us
Are you thinking about selling your home? We would love to hear from you.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
01934 815 053 

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Published: 02 February 2022

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People in the market for a new home can easily get discouraged when properties fall short of their expectations. There’s a significant difference, however, between a less-than-perfect house and one that sends buyers running for the hills. 
Houses with serious faults can get revamped, of course. But most people looking to purchase aren’t prepared to plough that much time and money into repairs. Whether potential buyers are viewing a house in person or virtually, there are several issues that are immediate turn-offs.

Dilapidated exterior
A dilapidated, unattractive façade makes a terrible first impression and for many, this alone is enough to quash buyers’ interest. Peeling paint, broken gutters, and missing roof tiles create an image of neglect. Most buyers aren’t interested in spending that much time and money cleaning up someone else’s mess.

A dark interior
A house doesn’t need to be an architectural masterpiece, complete with skylights and chandeliers, but walking into a dwelling that’s just about as light as the inside of a cave doesn’t do much to attract buyers. Viewing a house virtually can compound this problem: inadequate lighting sometimes looks ten times worse on video. 
If you need a guide on staging your home for sale, sign up to Get Property Savvy - where we have compiled our top tips to help you navigate the property market.

Needing interior repairs
Even if a house looks spectacular from the outside, a less-than-thrilling interior is sure to put off people looking for a nice home. Just like a sumptuous-looking apple with a rotten core, a house needing extensive renovations isn’t something most people want. Things like peeling paint, broken door hinges, damaged light fittings and window panes falling out of their frames are more than enough to drive buyers away.

Dirt and grime
Some people might say that a house isn’t a home without a bit of dust and clutter, but there’s nothing attractive about dirt. One sure-fire thing that makes buyers run a mile is a dirty bathroom. This can be even more of an issue with virtual viewings, as people assume that you can’t see dust on video, so they neglect the little things.

Damp
It’s not only dust that buyers find off-putting. A survey by insurer, GoCompare, showed damp stains were the number one reason potential property buyers decided against purchasing. Grime is an immediate turn-off, but seeing damp stains on walls or ceilings hints at a deeper issue. Clutter is easily sorted and dust is easy to clean, but with damp, you’re looking at potentially serious damage that could need major renovation.

Bad smells
The same GoCompare study showed that the presence of unpleasant odours was high on the list of turn-offs for people looking to buy property. An unpleasant smell could come from something small, like food that’s gone off, but although that’s an easily fixable issue, walking into a house that smells bad doesn’t increase buyers’ enthusiasm—to put it mildly. 
A trickier problem is the presence of odours in the area. Areas close to wastewater treatment plants are often plagued by disagreeable odours, which can drive buyers away.

Evidence of pets
There are many pet lovers in the world, but it’s pretty rare for someone in the property market to find a house full of dog hair appealing. A potential buyer might allow their pets to sleep on the bed, but almost certainly won’t like a house that appears to belong to a pack of moulting sheepdogs.

No internet signal
Having reliable internet access has become essential for many potential buyers. More and more people are working from home and simply can’t do without a steady connection. Accessing the internet mostly depends on a residence’s own router, but there is evidence that some geographic locations lie in “broadband black spots”. There are many areas in the UK that struggle with chronic connectivity issues.
When it comes to virtual viewings, connectivity issues can pose a problem from the word 'go'. A video call breaking up every ten seconds is enough evidence to put people off.

Ageing electrical systems
There are many faults in houses that go beyond impractical features or lack of appeal, one of which is outdated or unreliable electrical wiring. This can go hand-in-hand with bad DIY jobs. Leaving wires exposed and not repairing broken sockets doesn’t only make a house ugly, but can also pose a serious threat. Repairing an old fuse box can be extremely pricey, which doesn’t exactly entice potential buyers. 



Summary:
Buying and selling property isn’t for the faint-hearted, so be sure to address these top turn-offs thoroughly before planning a move. And, if you’re making a video for a virtual viewing, re-watch it several times, just to be sure!

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Published: 15 December 2021

Hits: 1509

Are you thinking about putting your property on the market, but aren’t sure when or how? It can be difficult to know exactly when you should sell your home. However, there are times and seasons when selling your home is almost certainly the right thing for you. Whether you need more outdoor space, a designated home office, or if there is a burst of activity in your local property market, we’ve identified some of the best times to think seriously about selling your property. 

Your family needs more space
Your family may not be expanding, but if people in your house are growing restless, it’s time to consider a change. As young children grow into young adults, many parents move into properties where each child can have their own room. Adding private spaces and larger rooms can also accommodate your family’s needs, so bear that in mind when you’re looking at properties. Knowing that your family needs more space is a key factor in determining if you should put your home on the market.  

Your family is expanding 
Whether you’re expecting a child or welcoming a parent, there are plenty of family expansions that will require more room for everyone. If you know that your property won’t be able to accommodate everyone, it’s time to put your home on the market. 

You don't enjoy spending time at home 
Is your home a place where you can rest and relax? Do you feel safe in your neighbourhood? Are you working from home and don't have a designated space to work from? These are all signs that it’s time to start looking for a new property. Your home should be a place where you feel comfortable and relaxed, and anything less should have you looking elsewhere.

Your needs have changed 
If like many people, you are re-evaluating your needs following months of lockdowns, your home may no longer be able to accommodate those needs. Whether you are planning to work from home more often, even after the lockdowns, or want to move to somewhere in the countryside or with more outside space, it may be time to move onto your next chapter.




The local property market is flourishing
Have you been toying with the idea of moving for a few years, but never knew when the time was right? Putting your home on the market when it is flourishing will increase your chances of a speedy sale. But how do you know when the market is flourishing? Feel free to come into our office or ring us, and we can talk you though the current market conditions.

You are considering buying a property
If you’re thinking of moving house, put your own home on the market first. That way, you’ll be free to make an offer when your dream home comes along.

Book a valuation today by calling 01934 815 053 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.