Smart renovating: spruce up for profit

First impressions:

A freshly painted front door and tidy path will reap benefits. Pretty pots and a tidy up will do, and window boxes have the added advantage of being a crime deterrent too. Make sure paved drives or pathways are in good repair as cracked paving slabs will give an immediate sense of neglect.

Kitchen:

A high-quality, fairly neutral kitchen can be a real asset. If yours is tired, save money on the carcasses, these aren’t really seen and if they’re professionally fitted they don’t need to be expensive. Splash out instead on good quality worktops (try Granite For Less) and really superior doors (try Dream Doors) to create an immediate impact.

Planning permission:

Spending as little as a couple of hundred pounds on getting the approval in place can massively increase your home’s saleability and value (see Planning Applications). Chris Underhill, Partner at Prickett and Ellis Underhill Estate Agents says, “The average property price in Highgate, north London is now £1 million – meaning stamp duty of a whopping £40,000 – a lot of additional money. Because of this, more and more people are looking for property with the potential to extend at some point in the future, rather than move when they need more space.”

Don’t bother…

Swimming pools:

In this country a swimming pool can actually reduce the value of a property. Buckland says, "Put one in your garden if it’s for your own pleasure but don’t expect to recoup your investment. Prospective buyers have to weigh up the pros and cons of the odd sunny, bathing day against time-consuming, costly maintenance and losing precious lawn space."

Garden landscaping:

You might like the idea of a Zen haven with decking and water features, but most buyers are looking for a simple lawn, and perhaps a patio. “Creative garden ideas, rockeries, fishponds and extravagant planting can put buyers off,” says Buckland. “They create more work. But established trees and hedges add to a sense of permanence which people like.”

Showing off:

“Don’t get too fussy as most people want to imagine their own taste," Underhill says. He adds: "Keep paintwork and flooring neutral, using quality materials. Finishing is important – tatty woodwork and bare wires scream neglect. Invest in high quality wooden flooring (see A&P Webb for new and reclaimed flooring) rather than cheap laminate and prepare all surfaces thoroughly before decorating – it really pays off in the finish.”

Pointless updates:

Don’t be tempted to replace original, wooden windows with modern double-glazed UPVC ones. Most people want windows that suit the period of the property, and nowadays there are professional restorers who can make original windows as energy-efficient as modern ones whilst retaining their charm and character. See Ventrolla and Sash Windows Northwest.

James Bond detailing:

A bachelor-pad brimming with state of the art plasma screens and remote controls might be some people’s idea of ultimate luxury, but is unlikely to see a return on the investment when the time comes to sell. Buckland says, “Your property’s next inhabitants may be a family whose lifestyle priorities are different to your own. By all means fit state-of-the-art gadgets for your own fun, but don’t expect to see the money spent reflected in the sale price.”