Five top tips to add value when selling your home

“Adding value to your home before you sell is a great idea” advises Hockingstuart Bacchus Marsh Principal Adam Tucci, “not only will it boost your final sale price by making the right improvements it will also help to speed up the time frame which it takes to sell. With the recent increase in numbers we have seen come through our open homes, it provides a great opportunity to make a strong impression.” 

Putting in a little time and money can go a really long way to maximise buyer interest and their willingness to pay that little bit extra. Whether you have lived in your home for a lifetime or it’s a recent purchase, we’ve put together our top 5 tips to boost your home’s value.  

1. First impressions matter 

It’s all about making the outside of a property more attractive to potential buyers or passersby. The exterior of your home is the very first thing that buyers see. If it doesn’t make a great first impression, it may be hard to convince buyers to step inside.  

Simple improvements like painting the front door, power washing the external walls, paths and driveway, planting fresh flowers or keeping lawns neatly mown and tidy can instantly make a home seem well looked after.  The more inviting and well-maintained, the more buyers will see it as a worthy investment. 

1. Address Critical Repairs 

Before putting your home on your market, make sure you address any obvious maintenance issues. Leaky taps, external wall damage or cracked windows may signal to buyers the need for work to be done on the property and impact their willingness to invest extra.  Showing a well-maintained home that is ready to be moved into could make a significant difference to the outcome of your sale. 

1. Don’t underestimate the impact of a fresh coat of paint 

A coat of paint can instantly lift a home, making it feel fresher, newer and brighter. Opt for neutral tones like whites, greys or soft beiges that are clean and inviting and will appeal to a wider range of buyers, enabling them to imagine themselves making your home their own.  

Freshly painted cabinets, doors and trims can also give the added benefit of making your home feel more polished and attractive to a more premium buyer.  

1. Consider updating Kitchen and Bathrooms 

Kitchens and bathrooms are often thought of as the two most important rooms of the home when it comes to resale value. Small changes can make a world of difference. Replacing outdated fixtures like taps and handles, repainting cabinets, refreshing countertops and even styling with new accessories will make rooms feel more modern without breaking the bank.  

1. Make your home a space where buyers can imagine themselves at home. 

Buyers want to imagine themselves living in your home and the simplest way to do this is by decluttering and depersonalising your space. Remove excess furniture, personal photos and objects, to make your home feel more spacious and a blank canvas for any individual’s taste. A tidy, well-organised home with simple, neutral décor will let buyers see the full potential of each room.   

You may want to consider hiring a professional stager to help you highlight your home's best features through carefully chosen furniture and colour palettes. In some cases, a well-staged home can help it to sell faster and at a higher price. Contact your local agent to discuss your options and get access to a Hockingstuart ‘tick of approval’ stager.  

Where to start? 

Selling your home is a big decision, but with a little preparation, you can increase its value and attract the right buyers. By focusing on making a great first impression, making necessary repairs, updating the kitchen and bathrooms or staging your property so buyers can imagine themselves and their lives there, you will be giving yourself an enormous advantage in setting yourself up for a successful sale.  

If you are unsure where to start or need some guidance on what updates will give you the best return on investment, reach out to your nearest Hockingstuart office. They have the knowledge and expertise to assist you in making the smart choices that will help you to achieve premium outcomes.