Do Up Before You Sell Up?

Many people give their kitchens and bathrooms a thorough makeover before they sell up, with a view to increasing the value of the property. But is it money well spent? Andrew Bush, Director of Bush Property Services, has some advice.

"Everyone knows that to enhance the chances of a sale, houses should be presented as smartly as possible. At the very least, they need to be clean and tidy and a lick of paint here and there to cover up the occasional scuff mark always helps.

"However, I always caution against people spending vast sums on redoing their kitchens and bathrooms before putting their property on the market.

"This is primarily because although the house may command more value because of it, you're very unlikely to get back all the money you splashed out on a new suite or work tops and, although the house may sell slightly faster with a new kitchen than an old one, you could well end up thousands of pounds out of pocket.

"Although new fixtures and fittings make the house look smarter, they are unlikely to be in exactly the same colour or style that your buyer would choose for themselves, so there's a good chance they'll end up on the tip in six months time as the new owners put their stamp on the home.

"If you must put in a new kitchen or a new bathroom, make sure the colours are as bland as possible. White or magnolia is supremely inoffensive and will enhance your home without being too garish or unusual. Bright, vibrant colours can put off potential buyers instantly, as, unless they happen to have the same taste as you, they'll feel obliged to change it as soon as they buy the property. This immediately adds an extra cost to the purchase and puts doubt into their minds."