Improvements in order to sell

slopemaster

We have a property which we have been trying, unsuccessfully, to let for several months. Now considering plan B which would be to sell - somewhat reluctantly.
We are wondering what improvements, if any, it would be worth doing in order to maximise the attractiveness and potential selling price.

The house is in clean and tidy condition but has a dated kitchen - long and narrow with 1970s style tiles. So opening it through to the living area, as well as refitting it, might be a good option. Also possibly thinking of opening through from living to dining room, and maybe wood flooring.

There is also a garage (detached) which I think could be converted to living accommm under permitted development
Then there is the possibility of an extension but this is not poss under permitted development so would need planning permission - worth a try?

Now, I realise that it is very hard for anyone who's not even seen the house to give advice on this. But what I was hoping for help with, is who to approach for advice on how to add value.
A builder would presumably be best to advise on costs - but probably not on value added. An architect maybe? Or local estate agents?
All would have their own axes to grind, so how to get advice I can trust before deciding to make a big investment?

Thanks for any ideas!

Annisele

I'd try local estate agents first. They will have their own axes to grind, but I still think they'd be a good first step.

For example, if you ask four agents and they all tell you categorically "do not convert the garage; it would be nearly impossible to sell a house like yours that didn't have a garage" - then you'll have a cheap answer on the garage point.

phill99

The problem with undertaking works to aid the sale of a house is that a) whatever you do maynot be to other people taste and therefore a waste of money and b) what you spend on improvements may be more than the increased value of the house (this is the case for many extensions)

Its a case of making the property appeal to as many people as possible. For instance, you say you have a garage that could be converted to living accommodation. But with this, you automatically make it unappealing to people that do actually want a garage (and yes, there are people that still want a garage to be used for a garage - I'm one of them!), thereby yoiu are limiting the number of potential buyers.


I would have thought selling it as it is including the dated kitchen would actually appeal to a large number of people. The price would reflect that some improvements are necessary, but many people will welcome this and will then undertake their own work - new kitchen , knocking walls down etc.

Also, sellijng as is means that it can go on the market now. if you undertake works, it will delay the sale and the uplift invalue will be uncertain.

I would be tempted to get it redecorated so that it looks clean, and tend the garden as an unkempt garden will put people off, and then put it on the market knowing that you won't get top dollar, but you will get a certainty of price.

SuzieSue

Phil is spot on. Unless you can do the work yourself, you are very unlikely to get back anything like the cost when you come to sell.

There is no point in replacing a kitchen unless it is such a state that the new owners wouldn't be able to put up with it for a few months. It is much better to accept that any offers you receive will take in to account that the kitchen will need to be replaced.

Just spend you money making your house look clean, uncluttered and cared for.

go_cat

Have you got a rightmove link to show us to give thoughts on?

slopemaster

Thanks all for the thoughts so far.

Here it is
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-19528167.html

motherofstudents

Oh, it's lovely. I really wouldn't do anything to it, as others have said, there is a market for this type of property that can be modernised. If I was looking, it would be something like this that I could make exactly as I want it. I wouldn't like it half as much if you magnolia'd the walls and fitted laminate throughout, yuk !

phill99

I think thats a really nice bungalow. Granted the kitchen is dated, but it is in good condition, serviceable and clean and therefore, anybody could move in, live in it and undertake their own works at a time to suit them.

What some body is paying for is a good sized bungalow in a secluded setting with really attractice gardens. Thats where the bulk of the value will come from. By improving the kitchen etc, you will be adding very little to the value, but increasing your expenditure. I would leave well alone.

Doozergirl

I'm with the others. It's lovely in the way that you could move in but do your own thing and get your teeth into it.

I have no doubt that it will sell much faster and you won't make much less, if any less than if you start spending money on it. People don't want to pay over the odds right now, a lot of people will be looking to add value themselves (regardless of whether the reality is actually of a profit) and are wary of developed houses because they aren't perceived as offering the best value for money.

Put it on at the right price and that will sell fast, I think. It will tick a lot of boxes for a lot of people.

aggypanthus

Its a lovely house! the kitchen is great, but I like old styles.

Was it your own home ? Its a bit old style for the rental market these days, perhaps whats stopping you getting a tennant? A good agent should advise on this aspect.

kitchens and bathrooms sell houses. 2 houses in my st are on for £20 -£30 k below market price as they need updating. any developer would make money on your house if he did it up.

phoebe1989seb

Totally agree with what other posters have said.......it's got bags of potential and I for one would much rather have an unrestored/unrenovated property than one that a developer has touched any day