Ask The Agent.
Richards is an independent Estate Agents in Corfe Mullen, specialising in residential properties for sale and rent as well as property management in Corfe Mullen, Wimborne and the surrounding areas.
Jason Spiers MNAEA, the owner of Richards Estate Agents, has been an agent for over 25 years.
Let us know any
questions you may have about moving and he’ll answer them for you.
Dear Jason,
My Dad has gone into a care home and I need to sell his bungalow. It’s really tired and I don’t want to sell it cheaply as I need as much as possible for his care. What sort of thing can I do to increase its value (without spending thousands)? Mr D Handley
Hello Mr Handley,
Thanks for your question and it’s something Estate Agents get asked all the time as everyone wants to get the best price for their property.
Firstly, the bungalow will almost certainly be more attractive to buyers with some general sprucing up and cleaning. Yes, larger projects such as loft conversions, converting a garage or adding a conservatory may reap high rewards if you have the time and money. But small things can make a surprising difference too.
One of the most cost-effective upgrades is a lick of paint. Redecorating is the most popular home improvement and giving Dad’s bungalow a fresh coat of paint and doing some general maintenance can be done at a very low cost. Fresh paint in modern neutral colours can go a
long way to giving the bungalow a new lease of life, so do not be afraid to pick up the paintbrush. It will brighten things up and there’s something about the smell of fresh paint that always helps when a property is being sold.
It’s also best to fi x all superfi cial defects. While unlikely to be the clinching factor in a sale, small problems and defects can create an impression of a property being run down or not well cared for. Things to look out for include:
• Peeling paint
• Dirty walls, especially near doors frames and around switches • Dripping taps • Squeaky fl oors, doors or stairs • Mouldy sealant in kitchens or bathrooms
• Limescale built up on kitchen and bathroom fi ttings • Badly fi tted laminate fl ooring • Broken lightbulbs
By dealing with these ‘simple to put right’ matters you will increase the saleability of the bungalow and in turn should see better offers being made. It is a proven fact that a few hundred pounds well spent can result in several thousands being added to the value of a home.
A word of warning – bigger issues such as damp should not be covered up. It will show up on a survey and is likely to come back to haunt you later. If you suspect anything’s wrong in the bungalow, get it checked out and be total upfront with a buyer – they’ll appreciate your honesty and by doing this, you’ll have a much greater chance of a sale going through without a hitch.
I wish your Dad well and good luck with the sale. Jason
Ask The Agent is brought to you by Richards Estate Agents in Corfe Mullen.
If you have a question for Jason, please email:
jason@richardsestateagents.co.uk or feel free to pick up the phone and call us on (01202) 602121.
48 To advertise, please contact 01202 657317 or email
harriet@broadstonelink.co.uk
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