Saint Property Services

According to a survey of more than 2000 homebuyers, a stunning 68% believe kerb appeal is important when buying a home. First impressions go a long way to convincing prospective homeowners of the value and desirability of a home and kerb appeal is a great way to create a good first impression.

If you’re interested in selling your home or want to increase interest in viewings here are a few ways you can improve your kerb appeal and potentially speed up the sale process.

Dress Your Front Door to Impress

Your front door is the portal to your home and a great way to add character to your property. Think of the houses on your street? Which ones stand out to you? Chances are homes with fresh coats of sunny yellow paint, baby blue, or bright white are the ones that stand out. A fresh coat of paint won’t cost the earth but can add interest and value.

Along with the paint, it’s worth looking at other aspects of your entrance. Is your door handle looking a bit tired? Does the door squeak or hang a bit loose? Maybe the letterbox is worn and showing signs of age. Whatever elements you have, it’s worth updating everything so visitors are impressed from the second they enter your home.

Freshen Up the Exterior

A larger project and one that requires a bit more investment is painting your exterior walls. The estimated cost of painting the front facade of your home averages around £550 and scaffolding may also be necessary. However, while this may seem an expensive upgrade, it can improve the kerb appeal of your home significantly with the HomeOwners Alliance finding that 54% of people in a recent survey believed a fresh lick of paint improved chances of a successful sale.

Tidy Up Windows

Windows are an important part of any home’s appeal. Fitted, clean windows are ideal for letting in light and keeping out the cold, and often one of the key areas of a home viewing. The HomeOwners Alliance survey in 2019 found that windows in good condition were the most important aspect of kerb appeal with 71% of homeowners placing windows at the top of their list.

Clear Gutters and Drains

Gutters and drains are another area that many homeowners overlook. These areas can be very unsightly and give the impression that the property is untidy or neglected. Clearing gutters costs around £250 on average and with 50% of the surveyed homeowners highlighting this area as important, it is one of the most cost-effective ways to add to kerb appeal. So, if you’re planning on having an open house or lots of showings then consider clearing your gutters and drains beforehand so that even the most critical eye will be won over by your lovely home.

Maintain Your Walls and Fences

Walls and fences can be a tricky area to improve. If your perimeter is in a good condition it may just require a lick of paint or varnish. However, if there is significant damage then you may need to replace your fence or wall which can run up into the thousands.

For situations like this, along with any other kerb appeal ideas, feel free to consult your Saint Property Services estate agent. We’re well-versed in what makes homes sell and can help you make your home stand out from the rest.

Driveway

Last but not least is your path and/or driveway. A poorly maintained driveway may make people think that the rest of your home is in a similar state so put your best foot forward and tidy up your drive. Repairing a drive can cost between £100-£500 depending on the damage so consider these costs and their benefits before undertaking repairs.

As you can see; kerb appeal is a fine balancing act that requires deciding where to invest in improvements. The suggestions above run the gamut from quick fixes to more extensive projects. If you need a hand selling your home, or want some expert advice on what to improve to increase your chance of a speedy house sale then contact us today.

At Saint Property Services, we are committed to providing Nottinghamshire homeowners with expert advice, support, and property management. Contact us and we’ll help you make your property a prize-winner in the competitive property market.

I thought I would write the first page to the blog myself as we are celebrating a great couple of months since lockdown and a new website! Moving forward this blog will be written by different staff members and local property experts who have something to say, once a month or so.
Through Lockdown we had a period of insecurity, the same as every other business and, perhaps more importantly, family across the country and most of the world. We have since gone through some restructuring and have come out the other side stronger than ever.

The Sales market is booming at the minute, we have seen a great spike in Sales valuations and agreed sales in the past two months, which we are very grateful for! I think most people in the know are expecting this to be fairly short lived, with perhaps an expected difficult period after the New Year. On the Lettings side, we have really pushed on as a company. Our service has really gone from strength to strength, and I believe we now offer a level of service second to none. That has meant we have been able to negotiate through the doors more and more new customers, and we are grateful for every single one of them!

More locally, we are looking forward to the completion of the cinema complex in Beeston, which we think will bring another great reason to live in our little town, and may be completed next year. The prices have remained strong in Beeston throughout the troubles of the past year, and these extras should give us a reason to be confident in holding the prices to a reasonable level if and when harder times hit.

On the staffing side…..we have now taken on Curtis Gault, who will be working on the lettings side and learning a trade whilst using his natural enthusiasm and creativity to grow in to a Business Development role at the business, which has already started to take shape. A bright future ahead!

Thanks for reading the blog….we will make sure it is full of the information you need moving forwards. Stay tuned!