Householders wanting a quick property sale should worry less about cleaning windows and buying fresh flowers, and spend more time repainting the front door and replacing old gates, according to new research.
The 2012 HSBC Home Improvement Survey revealed that many homeowners have misconceptions regarding factors which may help them to sell their property.
Half of UK householders (52 per cent) plan to spend time over the bank holidays this spring making home improvements. The research, which questioned householders and property valuation experts, also revealed the smaller jobs around the house which can help homeowners to sell their property.
More than half (60 per cent) of property valuers said that the number one way to increase a property’s chance of selling quickly, and for a healthy price, was to de-clutter. Cutting the grass and repairing paint chips will also improve house-selling prospects.
However, over two thirds (69 per cent) of homeowners thought cleaning the windows would be worthwhile, compared to just 44 per cent of the property experts. In addition, while 63 per cent of the experts said that repainting or varnishing a front door would make a difference, only 23 per cent of homeowners recognise this.
Householders should also worry less about putting rubbish bins out of sight or washing the car, and concentrate instead on repairing old fences and gates.
Peter Dockar, head of mortgages at HSBC, said: ‘Many householders spend the Bank Holidays on DIY projects to help boost property value and saleability. However it is often the smaller jobs like painting the front door that can make all the difference when looking for a quick sale.’
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