How to raise the value of a flat or house at little cost… part 2

In our last article we started looking at how to increase the value of a property with a small financial outlay. Today we continue the topic, presenting further proven methods which, once applied, will help you sell your property for more. Enjoy the read.

Windows and doors

The condition of the windows and doors matters a great deal to the final price of a flat. Remember that today's standard is plastic windows or modern wooden windows, and that is what a buyer will expect. If the windows in your property still date from the days of the Polish People's Republic (PRL), you will most likely be forced to replace them. It is quite possible, though, that this expense will pay for itself, because a property with brand-new windows will be worth considerably more than one with windows that are several or a dozen or so years old. The situation is similar with doors.

If, on the other hand, both the doors and the windows are of average quality, are not falling apart but have noticeable flaws, they should be renovated. In the case of draughts it is worth fitting seals, while any damage should be painted over or removed.

Garden and balcony

A beautiful garden is an undoubted asset of any house. For an attractive green space around a property, buyers are willing to pay anything from a few to a dozen or so per cent more. It is therefore worth taking care of it.

An attractive garden should above all be clean. Remove any junk from it, rake up the leaves, mow the lawn. If there are plants in it whose glory days are long gone, it is best to get rid of them. Let us also look after the condition of the garden furniture and the gazebo, if we have one.

If, on the other hand, you are selling a flat and have only a balcony, take care to present it properly too. This space should also be clean and uncluttered. A green arrangement will look far better than a storeroom for jars and bicycles. Nowadays even at little cost you can create an exceptional oasis of calm on a balcony. It is worth making the effort, because it will fire the imagination of potential buyers, who will begin to picture themselves in a comfortable armchair surrounded by plants.

Refreshing the building's facade

The presentation of a house for sale begins the moment the buyer first lays eyes on it. That is why the so-called first impression is so important, and it concerns not the interior of the property but precisely its exterior. So before we invite people to view it, it is worth renovating the building's facade, if that is necessary. Usually repainting the building is enough to remove dirt and unsightly streaks. Any damage and cracks in the plaster should also be repaired, since, once noticed by the buyer, they can significantly reduce the value of the property.

Fixing defects

A house or flat for sale should be free of defects. Doors that do not close properly, handles that have come off and squeaky hinges put buyers off and cause the price of the property to fall. All damage and flaws should therefore be put right before we present our property to potential buyers.

Lighting

Lighting is an element to which hardly any seller pays attention, and that is a big mistake. In the right light everything looks better. And the other way round. When a room has a single light source of doubtful quality, even the most beautiful interior will not look attractive. So, as the final step in preparing the property for presentation, opt for replacing the bulbs with higher-wattage ones with a warm light colour, which gives the interior a cosy atmosphere. It is also worth adding extra light sources. If we cannot afford new lamps, we can place candles in various spots around the house or flat, which will light up any interior wonderfully.