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When preparing a property for sale, it’s natural to think that spending money on improvements will automatically increase its value. But across Sutton Coldfield and Great Barr ares that isn’t always what we see.
Some improvements can certainly make a home more attractive and easier to sell, but there can be a big difference between improving saleability and actually increasing what a buyer is prepared to pay.
With Acres having sold homes across our local area since 1992, our advice is always to think carefully about what buyers actually want before committing to expensive work.
“One of the most common questions we’re asked is, ‘What should I do to the house before I sell?’ Quite often, the answer is less than people think. Spending £20,000 doesn’t automatically add £20,000 to the value. Sometimes good presentation, sensible maintenance and the right marketing will make far more difference.”
— Nigel Deekes, Partner, Acres
1. Large extensions – bigger isn’t always better
Extra space can be enormously valuable, particularly in popular family areas, but only when it works with the overall balance of the property.
A large extension that creates additional bedrooms but leaves a disproportionately small garden, limited parking or little storage may not achieve the return an owner expects.
Buyers looking for a substantial family home usually expect the outside space and parking to match the size of the house.
The same applies to garage conversions. Additional living accommodation can be attractive, but garages also provide valuable storage for bikes, tools, sports equipment and everything else that comes with family life.
“In Four Oaks and the surrounding areas, buyers looking at larger family homes tend to look at the complete package. Extra accommodation is great, but not if it comes at the expense of a good garden, parking or storage. Getting that balance right is really important.”
— Chris Harvey, Manager, Acres Four Oaks
2. Luxury kitchens and highly personalised interiors
A beautiful kitchen remains one of the strongest features in any home, but there is a difference between quality and extravagance.
An extremely expensive kitchen in a very individual colour or style may be perfect for the current owner but won’t necessarily increase the price by the amount spent.
Buyers can quickly start calculating what it will cost to change something that isn’t to their taste.
If you’re improving a kitchen or bathroom with a future sale in mind, neutral colours, quality fittings and clean lines will generally appeal to the widest audience.
“Sutton Coldfield buyers certainly appreciate a lovely kitchen and bathroom, but they also want to imagine putting their own stamp on a home. Neutral, well-presented interiors tend to photograph beautifully and make it much easier for buyers to picture themselves living there.”
— Laura Hands, Manager, Acres Sutton Coldfield
3. Turning bedrooms into specialist rooms
Walk-in wardrobes, cinema rooms, gyms and permanent home offices might suit your lifestyle perfectly, but specialist rooms can sometimes limit a property’s appeal.
Most buyers still begin their search by bedroom numbers, so permanently turning a bedroom into something else can affect how buyers perceive the property.
Flexibility is often more valuable.
A bedroom that can also be shown as a home office, gym or dressing room allows the next owner to decide how they want to use it.
“Around Walmley we have a huge family market, and flexibility is really important. A buyer may love a dressing room, but another family may desperately need that fourth bedroom. Where possible, keeping rooms adaptable normally gives us a wider audience.”
— Matt Tubb, Manager, Acres Walmley
4. Hot tubs, garden bars and other lifestyle additions
Hot tubs, elaborate garden bars and specialist entertainment areas can be great fun and may certainly help a property stand out, but sellers shouldn’t automatically expect buyers to pay significantly more for them.
Some buyers will love them. Others may see maintenance, running costs or something they will eventually need to remove.
This is particularly important when the improvement has taken up a sizeable part of the garden.
“Great Barr has a really varied range of buyers and homes, so broad appeal matters. A fantastic garden bar or hot tub may be a real attraction to one buyer but mean absolutely nothing to the next. Good gardens, parking and well-maintained homes generally appeal to far more people.”
— Chris Deekes, Manager, Acres Great Barr
5. Renewable technology and routine maintenance
Solar panels, batteries, heat pumps and other energy-saving measures are becoming increasingly important to buyers and can certainly make a property more attractive.
However, owners shouldn’t necessarily expect the entire installation cost to be reflected in the eventual selling price.
The same applies to routine maintenance.
Replacing an ageing boiler, repairing windows or addressing roof problems may not dramatically increase a valuation, but it can remove reasons for buyers to negotiate or walk away.
A well-maintained property gives buyers confidence.
So, where should you spend your money?
Often, the simplest improvements make the biggest difference when bringing a property to market.
Fresh decoration, decluttering, tidy gardens, clean windows, good lighting, minor repairs and strong kerb appeal can completely change a buyer’s first impression without costing a fortune.
“After more than three decades selling locally, one thing hasn’t changed – buyers buy with their eyes as well as their heads. A clean, bright, well-presented home that feels cared for will nearly always create a stronger first impression.”
— Nigel Deekes, Partner, Acres
5 improvements that may be worth considering
1. Loft extensions
Where suitable and subject to the necessary permissions, creating accommodation within the roof space can add useful square footage without sacrificing garden or garage space.
2. Off-street parking
Across many parts of Sutton Coldfield and Great Barr, good parking is extremely important. Where practical, creating or improving off-street parking can considerably broaden a property’s appeal.
3. Neutral kitchen and bathroom updates
You don’t necessarily need an expensive complete refit. Fresh, good-quality and neutral improvements can often make a much bigger impact for the money spent.
4. Better-connected living spaces
Opening up smaller rooms can work extremely well, particularly in family homes, provided the layout remains practical and there is still somewhere to escape to when needed.
5. Improving kerb appeal
First impressions really do count.
A freshly painted front door, tidy driveway, attractive planting and a well-maintained exterior can set the tone before a buyer has even stepped through the door. ( Article Inspiration via Rightmove https://tinyurl.com/4xer28kb )
Thinking of improving before you sell?
Before spending thousands of pounds on your property, speak to your local Acres team. With offices covering Sutton Coldfield, Four Oaks, Walmley and Great Barr, we know what buyers are currently looking for in each of our local markets.
We’ll happily advise you on what is worth doing, what probably isn’t – and what could help you achieve the very best result when you decide to sell.
If you are you thinking of selling your property and want to check how much your home is worth? You can get an Instant Valuation here.
If you would like to discuss selling your home, please get in touch with us This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call any of our busy, helpful teams/offices:
Four Oaks 0121 323 3088
Sutton Coldfield 0121 321 2101
Walmley 0121 313 2888
Great Barr 0121 358 6222
Lettings 0121 312 4997
Thank you for reading this article, and your interest in Acres and our property for sale.
Nigel & Jayne Deekes – Acres Partners
Acres; proud to be family owned, managed, run and to have be
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In the blink of an eye it is Autumn, the trees are full of beautiful reds and golds and the first waft of coal fire smoke is in the air in later September.
As always we are taking calls from family buyers looking for larger homes, however there has been a real up swing, as expected. Clients like to buy in autumn, spring and early summer.
We find that buyers with children tend not to house hunt during the school holidays. After all, when the sun is shining, people are away, life is busy thus leaving little time for viewing homes.
It’s also worth remembering how stressful viewing a home can be, with children who just want to be playing / elsewhere. Instead, parents tend to wait until the children return to school, so they can view homes a little easier. But there is more to it than convenience alone; psychology of space can come into play too.
During the summer of course kids often spend much more time outdoors. Whilst their children are busy playing in the garden it’s easy for parents to feel their home is bigger than it is. As a result, ‘upsizers’ tend not to feel as squeezed for space in the warmer months.
But as the nights begin to draw in, the house begins to feel crowded, meaning parents once again are looking for a change and a larger home in which to grow.
House hunters searching in September and October tend to be keener to make an early decision. After all, everybody wants to settle in ready to start enjoying their new home in time for Christmas. In fact, ‘a quiet and settled Christmas’ can be a real driving factor. Buyers are more motivated than ever to get the deal done. Indeed Rightmove confirm an increase in traffic numbers to their website at this time of year.
With that in mind, let’s explore the reasons why selling in September is a great time.
- Motivated buyers
Buyers who start looking for a home in September are generally planning to be moved in by Christmas, particularly if they’re looking to host family and friends in their new home.
As a result, they see December as a self-imposed deadline, which can encourage them to make an offer quickly and also do their best to speed up the buying process.
- School admission deadline dates
Did you know, many school admission deadline dates fall towards the year end, with placements offered in the New Year. Schools are a key reason why many families move home. For these people, they need to be moved into the area in order to have the best possible chance of getting into their preferred school. These families tend to start house hunting as soon as the summer holidays end.
- Focus on those cosy features
September is a time when gardens become less of a must-have. Buyers still love them, but homes which struggle with outside space sell much better in September as buyers mindset turns towards cosy features such as open fires and wood-burning stoves. If you have one, make sure yours is lit for any photos & viewings !
- The kids are back at school
This is the most obvious reason of them all. Both home sellers and home buyers with families delay any moving plans because of the Summer holidays. Come September, the kids are back at school and they have much more free time. Houses become easier to keep tidy. Potential buyers appear more relaxed, many choosing to view when the kids are actually in school!
- You’re more likely to get a higher offer, or the asking price
Research shows that September is a strong month for buyers, with property searches very high, compared to November and December for example.
This means more potential buyers for your property, which in turn means more competition among buyers. When you consider the fact that there are more motivated buyers too, it can create a perfect storm for sellers. Indeed, with interest rates falling and anticipation of a busy autumn market this is more likely.