How to prepare your property for a house valuation
If you’re thinking of selling a property in Scotland, whether it’s your home or a rental property, getting an indication of what the property is likely to sell for is a good starting point.
A local expert solicitor estate agent can visit your home and provide you with a valuation or pre-sale appraisal or if you opt for a larger firm, they will have a team of professional valuers or surveyors to perform the valuation.
Here are a few ideas on how you can increase the value of your property ahead of an official valuation.
Clean and declutter
A spring clean can make a world of difference. It won’t necessarily add any value but it will allow the valuer to see the full extent of the property without any distractions.
Don't forget the outside of your home
Remember the exterior: this is often overlooked and you only get one chance to make a good first impression!
Repaint the front door, mow the grass and sweep away dead leaves to give the valuer an indication of how big the garden is and what the space can be used for.
Deal with structural issues
During the walk around it is worthwhile to let the valuer know of any improvements and alterations that you have made to the property since you bought it. Before the visit, make sure you tackle any structural issues such as dampness, leaking or missing roof tiles.
A fresh coat of paint makes all the difference
A quick way to update your property before a house valuation is to decorate it. Peeling paint will look unappealing to valuers and prospective buyers so repaint any rooms that are looking old, regrout the bathroom, fix door latches that don’t work and fix cracks on ceilings and walls.
Add built-in storage
Built-in storage such as wardrobes and cupboards can be a real selling point for prospective buyers. Make use of every unused bit of space you have such as under the stairs, space in the cellar or attic that can be upgraded, as well as unused wall space for shelving.
Consider energy efficiency
All homes in Scotland now must have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). An EPC provides valuers and prospective buyers with information on how energy efficient a building is and how it could be improved. EPCs rate the property’s energy efficiency from A (the most efficient) to G (the least efficient) and offer recommendations for improvements, with no obligation for sellers to carry these out.
If you want some quick ways to improve the EPC rating of your home before it is valued, then make sure windows are of high quality to increase insulation. Carpets are also excellent thermal insulators and can retain as much as 10% of a room’s heat. If possible, arrange rooms so that bedrooms and bathrooms face north (with less sun) and kitchens and living rooms face the sunnier south.
You could also consider investing in solar panels to maximise energy efficiency.
Update the boiler
If you have been having issues with your boiler one of the best home improvements you can do is to add a new one as it will be more energy efficient and save the new homeowners money in the long run. It’s common for prospective buyers to ask how old a boiler is during viewings.
Most modern boilers come with an extended warranty of between 5-12 years and this warranty will usually be registered against the property so it can be transferred to the new owner of the house.
Arrange a house valuation through ESPC
ESPC solicitor estate agents cover areas across Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife, the Scottish Borders, central and west of Scotland, and Dumfries and Galloway. So, whether you live in areas around Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dumfries or Dunfermline, you can get a free property valuation with ESPC.
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