
Creating kerb appeal
When it comes to selling your home, first impressions count. The look of your house exterior – aka its kerb appeal – not only gets prospective buyers in through the front door, but also increases the amount they offer.
Maximising your home's kerb appeal can be simple. We've put together a list of ideas to attract buyers, help your home sell fast, and fetch the very best price.
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At Hastings Direct, we know how important your home and its contents are to you. That's why we offer home insurance that covers you for the unexpected expense that theft, loss and damage can bring. Plus, you can choose from a great range of optional extras.
How important is kerb appeal?
A recent survey commissioned by the HomeOwners Alliance (HOA) and conducted by YouGov found 68% of potential buyers think kerb appeal is important when buying a new home.
Over seven out of 10 (71%) of those surveyed said windows being in good condition was important to them, showing no signs of rot or flaky paint. 68% wanted the roof to be solid with no missing tiles, while 67% looked for a well-maintained front garden when searching for their future home.
"Kerb appeal creates a lasting first impression – most buyers make up their minds in the first few minutes of arriving at a property," said Paula Higgins, Chief Executive of the Home Owners Alliance. "The good news is that a lot of solutions are simple and cost very little."
If you're selling your home, you'll want it to stand out from the crowd, increasing the number of viewings you get and boosting your chances of a quick sale.
Does kerb appeal add value?
Not only does maintaining your home to a high standard attract buyers, it also raises the price.
Another survey found that almost one-third of buyers were prepared to pay up to 25% more for a house with a well-presented exterior. On an average £300,000 home, that's an extra £75,000!
That makes boosting kerb appeal a great investment for homeowners. It's also likely to speed up your sale, saving you stress as well as money.
How to create kerb appeal
Stand well back from your home and try to imagine seeing it for the first time through your buyers eyes.
Does it look well-kept and welcoming? Is there room for improvement? Ask a friend for constructive criticism.
Your estate agent will also be able to advise about what sells well in your area and give you more ideas. Estate agents are a great source of contact details for reliable tradespeople, too.
Here are our top tips for maximising the appearance of your pad:
How can I get kerb appeal for cheap?
Any investment you make in your home's makeover is likely to get great returns. However, if you're on a budget, there are also several free or cheap measures you can take:
These are just a few of the ways to prepare your home for sale.
Once you've found your own dream property, make sure you get a competitive home insurance quote from Hastings Direct.
Home insurance
We know how important your home and its contents are to you. That's why we offer home insurance that covers you for the unexpected expense that theft, loss and damage can bring. Plus, you can choose from a great range of optional extras.
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