Expert advises on the simple home improvements to sell your property
Another new year has arrived, and with it, the typical awakening of the property market. While the early part of a new year can be a great time to list your home, it can also be a saturated market.
With the competition hotting up, a building and renovations expert from MyBuilder.com, the reliable way to hire tradespeople, has put together five simple hacks to help you get the best price – and the quickest sale – for your home in 2025. From improving your property’s kerb side look, to boosting its appeal on the inside, there are plenty of ideas that will significantly impact the appearance of your home, without breaking the bank.
Research suggests that more than half of buyers make up their mind about a property they view within the first five minutes. This shows that first impressions really count – and a tidy and well maintained property can make all the difference.
Andy Simms, a renovation expert from MyBuilder.com, said that improving your home prior to sale is easy to achieve and can make a big difference to the appearance of your property.
“Whilst it’s important to maintain your home well whether you’re planning to sell or not, it can be easy to neglect jobs such as refreshing painting or flaking woodwork.
“The great news is that many of these things are quick and simple fixes that can be done yourself, or with a quick visit from a tradesperson. It’s well worth the investment if it results in a quick and profitable sale of your home.”
Graham Paterson, CEO of property portal Jitty, said: “By the time a buyer has booked a viewing, they’ve usually researched the location and other factors. Unless they are specifically seeking a fixer-upper, most prefer a well-presented home they can envision living in from the get-go.
“Buyers are increasingly particular about aesthetics, like paint finish and modern fittings, and a well-maintained home gives confidence that other key areas, like the roof and boilers, are also cared for.
“Simple touches, such as fresh paintwork, tidy gardens, and a clean exterior, can create a desirable, aspirational image, and inspire confidence.”
The tips from MyBuilder.com include:
Paint your front door
Sounds so simple, but a clean and fresh front door can make a real impact. Tired, peeling paint or a broken door sets a bad impression from the start, and can influence how a potential purchaser feels before they’ve even set foot inside. To get the perfectly painted front door, start with the correct preparation. Remove all hardware, such as door knockers and handles, and give it a light sand so that the surface is the correct texture for paint to stick to. Once sanded, give the surface a good clean with a mild detergent. Mask off any areas you want to keep paint free, and then you’re ready for painting. Primer is essential for the perfect paint job – but make sure it’s one that is made for exterior surfaces. Once it’s dry, apply a good quality exterior paint to the door, taking care to cover all the edges fully. It will need a minimum of two coats to reach the desired finish, and once fully dry you will need to inspect for any missing patches. Once you’re happy, reattach the hardware. In some cases, it may be easier to take the door down to paint, but be aware that re-hanging doors can be difficult and may require a professional.
Look at your windows
It can be easy to ignore the external appearance of your windows, as we barely even notice them. However, tired looking window frames can betray a general lack of care for your home, and be quite off putting, while rotting sealant on UPVC can cause condensation or invite mould. If you have wooden frames, make sure the wood is in good condition, If it isn’t, you will need to fill and repaint the wood. To do this, cut away the affected rotten areas, then use a suitable wood filler to fill the gaps, using a putty knife to smooth it over. Once it’s dry, sand it down before choosing an exterior wood paint to cover. If you have UPVC frames, check the sill sealant for any mould or broken parts. Give them a good clean before using the relevant sealant to plug any gaps – mould should clean off but for any bad areas, you may want to replace the sealant. Windows can be a tricky job, and if in doubt it’s better to get the help of a tradesperson.
Look for damp
According to research, damp and mould is a big deterrent for potential buyers. Unfortunately, damp is an issue that affects most of our homes, however well we look after them. It’s important to make sure you find out the root cause of any damp rather than just cleaning it up; while many cases are caused by poor ventilation and are easily managed, others may require a damp course or further investigation by a professional. To clean up any effects of mould, use a mould-killing spray and potentially even consider repainting any damaged walls. If the cause is found to be only poor ventilation, purchasing a dehumidifier can be really helpful, as well as regularly airing your house by leaving windows and doors open.
Energy efficiency
There’s no hiding from the cost-of-living crisis, and any aspects to your house that save money will be highly desirable. While solar panels or grey water recycling might be beyond your budget, simple steps like good insulation (like a hot water cylinder jacket for your boiler), draft-free windows and doors with well maintained frames, and energy saving light and plumbing fixtures, can be a great selling point.
Go outside
While not all properties have a garden, it’s wise to make the most of whatever exterior space you have. From a clean and welcoming front door mat, to effective outdoor lighting, to a well maintained decking area, your outside areas can be a real selling point. While now may not be the time to invest in a full landscaping service, sprucing up is essential. Make sure you have tidied up any exterior space, especially after winter, and repair any broken fence panels or sheds. While winter isn’t a great time for planting, a tidy space that allows a buyer to see summer potential, could clinch a sale.