Page 31 - August 2023
P. 31

PROPERTY ADVICE






 Give your kitchen a quick makeover            as Tzana Webster explains: “You’d be
 We  know that  not  every  kitchen  is        surprised at how many properties I visit
 Instagrammable, but with some quick fixes,    (especially top-floor tenement flats) where
 you can freshen up tired cabinetry to give    I notice old, dried-out watermarks or stains
 your kitchen a new lease of life. Try painting   from previous leaks on the ceilings or in
 the cabinets in an on-trend colour – think    corners of rooms. The sellers will always
 deep  blue  or  sage  green  –  and  replace   explain that it’s not an issue and has long
 worn handles. In an instant your kitchen      been fixed – well, paint over it then! Don’t
 will look newer and more attractive, helping   draw the eye to a previous problem, that
 to boost the value of your property overall.  could be a recurring issue.”

 Highlight a sunny spot in your garden         Refresh your paintwork
 South-facing gardens are traditionally the    It’s an obvious one, but many sellers don’t
 most desirable, but of course not every       think about the difference a lick of paint
 home has one. If yours faces in a different   can make – and it doesn’t always need to
 direction, boost its appeal by paying         be repainting whole rooms. If your walls
 attention to the area that gets the most sun   are covered in small marks, chips or scuffs,
 during the day. By accentuating this space    spend time touching up the paintwork – it
 with furniture or fairy lights and plants, you   makes all the difference on your Home
 can highlight that your garden is a valuable   Report.
 outdoor asset, whichever direction it faces.
                                               Care for or cover your floors
 Make eco-friendly improvements                Many properties, particularly tenement
 More and more buyers are looking for          flats, have wooden floorboards, but as with
 environmentally  friendly homes  to  help     all period features, these can quickly show
 with the climate crisis (and the bills), and   signs of age. A cheap way to add value to
 the rating your home receives on its EPC      your  home  is  to  fix  any  loose  or  creaky
 certificate can certainly impact its valuation.   floorboards,  sand  them  and  oil  them,  to
 Making as many eco-friendly changes as        immediately improve their condition.
 possible in your home can make all the
 difference when it comes to selling. Try      If  they  look  grubby  or  worn  but  are
 switching lightbulbs for smart LED lighting   otherwise in good condition, you could also
 and  improve  insulation  where  you  can  –   consider laying on-trend patterned vinyl
 you don’t need to install expensive solar     flooring on top, to instantly add impact and
 panels or electric car charging points to     create a more glossy look.
 make your home more appealing, but
 every little helps.

 Get rid of stains and watermarks              Thinking of selling your home? Arrange
 Surveyors and buyers alike will be on the     a  free  property  valuation  with  an  ESPC
 lookout for any suspicious stains in your     solicitor estate agent – visit espc.com/
 property that might hint at future repairs,   valuations to get started.


 30  |  espc.com                                                           espc.com  |  31
   26   27   28   29   30   31   32   33   34   35   36