Are you planning on selling your home? Whether you’ve only just made the decision or you’ve been planning on putting your property on the market for a while, you might be looking for ways to add value to the property.
But how do you know what additions to make? To find out what house buyers are looking for, fitted furniture specialists Hammonds surveyed 2,000 people, asking them what features they want when they view a property.
Why increase the value?
Before we find out what the survey respondents came up with, it’s worth considering why adding value might be worthwhile.
There are a few reasons why you might be looking to boost the value of your property. It may be that you want to finance your next move and to do that, you need to get as much as you can for your current home.
It might also be that you want a quick sale. By investing in the property and adding to its value, you are more likely to make it attractive to prospective buyers. This, in turn, means you could see your home snapped up for a great price.
Also, you’re in a competitive market. Although we saw property prices soar during the pandemic, however, there has been a shift in recent months due to the latest changes in mortgage interest rates. So, if you’re able to make your property stand out and boost its value by making some updates, you’re more likely to get the price you want for it.
The ways to add value
So, how do you make your home worth more? To get an idea, here are some of the things that Hammonds’ survey respondents said they want to see in a property for sale.
- Energy efficiency
The way we consume energy has changed in recent years. More of us are becoming aware of our carbon footprint and thinking sustainably is beneficial for both the environment and how much we spend on energy bills.
This was confirmed by the survey, where 8% said they would pay £15,000 above the asking price for a property with triple-glazed windows or solar panels. In addition, almost three-quarters (61%) would offer extra for electric charging. This implies that house buyers are preparing for the coming petrol and diesel ban in 2030 and that they’re making the switch to electric vehicles now.
- Outdoor appeal
Outdoor space is another must-have for many buyers. It’s worth investing in your garden. You could be one of the sellers who encounter the one in 10 people who would offer £15,000 over the asking price for a home with a garden.
- Off-road parking
According to the study, Brits would also pay £4,146 more on average for a house that has its driveway and allows for off-street parking. So, if you have a driveway, you could find that your property increases in value as a result.
- Storage space
If the last few years have taught us anything, it’s that we value our space. With many of us working from home more, storage space has become a major focus for many homeowners. Buyers would offer £3,597 more than the asking price for a property with lots of storage space.
With these four house-appeal features in mind, if you’re preparing to sell your house be sure to have one or two of these in mind to increase your chances of a sale.