Most often when we think about spending money around the home, we do so in the knowledge that we’ll benefit from that expense both at the time and in the future. But, when you’re in the process of selling your house, it’s a lot harder to know how much you should spend. After all, at this late stage, it’s unlikely that any improvements will have much impact on overall value. Yet, if you don’t tackle crucial jobs, you may struggle to sell or achieve your asking price.
As such, any home seller faces a difficult balancing act. In this article, we’ll try to help you get it right by considering how to determine where you should spend at every stage of the process.
Be realistic about what will come up in a survey
While there’s no guarantee that your buyer will feel the need to get a property survey before completing, there is always a risk. You must prepare for that and spend accordingly. After all, if a home survey identifies issues like damp or structural problems, you may either need to pay through the teeth for a fast repair or leave yourself at risk of losing that sale altogether. Instead, get ahead of the game by spending a little more on issues that a survey will inevitably find, including any property violations, lasting issues like dampness or cracks, and even the need to update things like plumbing and wiring.
Weigh up the Worth of an Expense
It’s also worth considering which expenses will be the most cost-effective or return-laden throughout the moving process. For instance, you’ll probably find yourself out of pocket if you invest in a brand-new suite of furniture that your buyers are unlikely to even consider. By comparison, investing in something like a move out cleaning service in advance of your sales pictures could help you to catch the eye of a keen buyer who offers you the full asking price. Simply consider how much you’re spending in each instance against any potential returns or sales increases that you stand to enjoy from that effort..
Don’t be Afraid to do Things Yourself
Given that your property will soon come under someone else’s scrutiny, you may feel the need to hire professionals for every little task. In reality, though, there’s a lot you can take care of yourself for far less cost. This is especially true of things that will look nice temporarily, but will likely change soon, such as your decor. In this instance, it would be far better to apply fresh wall colors yourself to help with a sale, than paying someone else a fortune to do it. Equally, simple steps like decluttering your home needn’t cost a thing but can have almost as much of an impact on sales as decor or cleanliness. So, always consider what you can take care of before you reach for your card.
It’s easy to spend a fortune when you’re getting your house sale-ready. But, with these tips, you can easily ensure that spending doesn’t get out of hand!
