Home improvements warning from Coventry property expert

June 22, 2011 - PRLog -- Andrew Moss, a director of Shortland Horne – which has offices in the city centre, Earlsdon and Walsgrave, said many people try to take the ‘bull by the horns’ when it comes to DIY but it does not always add value to the home.

He said: “It’s a fairly simple equation when you come to sell your home. Will the value you add to the property outweigh what it will cost to do the work?

“Very often, people will think they need to undertake a whole host of work before they think about putting the property on the market.

“My advice would be to go the other way and speak to an expert beforehand because you might be spending money on work that will not add significant enough value to your home and it maybe work that a buyer will come in and undo when they purchase.

“Don’t get me wrong, giving rooms a lick of paint and making sure a property is neat and tidy throughout is very advisable.

“When it comes to saleability, in many cases it’s actually the smaller things that make a bigger difference than a major building project.  

“So I would not rush out and suddenly embark on major works until you are sure that it is going to pay off in the long run.”

A kitchen/breakfast room, fitted bathrooms, conservatories, home security, double glazing and garden improvements can all help to make a house more attractive and add value.

But Moss said they must all be undertaken professionally and within a budget.

“For instance, it’s not worth going for a top of the range kitchen because you may not get the return you are looking for,” he said.

“It’s best to keep it simple and offer a broader appeal rather than something that suits your taste.

“We’ve all seen the property programmes where people can’t help themselves and go out and spend vast sums – against advice – and then they cannot cover the cost when they come to sell.

“So my advice would be too choose what you do carefully and speak to an agent before you embark on a significant project. It may end up that you save a lot of time, money and effort and are able to sell your property for the best possible price anyway.”

For more information and advice, contact Shortland Horne on 024 7644 2288.

Media enquiries:
Lee Corden
Advent Communications
2 Edison Building
Electric Wharf
Sandy Lane
Coventry CV1 4JA
Tel: 024 7663 3636
http://www.advent-communications.co.uk

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