Valuation tips: What’s your home worth?

Often, we require a valuation to gain equity for renovations, but if your home is in a state of disrepair, you might find yourself in a catch-22. Learning how to price your property by comparing the market helps, but it pays to know some tricks, too.

Maintenance

As with anyone entering your home, you want the agent who’ll be making the valuation to see it in the best possible light. This means tidying up. Make sure that toys and clothes are put away and that there are no obvious signs of disrepair. If possible, giving the place a lick of paint and making sure taps work and cupboard doors are fixed can make a big difference with first impressions. Also, is the carpet full of stains, or has the kitchen lino seen better days? Small fixes that you can do easily can make a huge difference to the valuation you receive.

Garden

Research shows that outdoor living areas can add marginally more than interior renovations, so if you have an outdoor space that’s half-decent, jazz it up with some new or borrowed furniture so it looks as welcoming (and valuable) as possible. While you’re at it, trim any dead branches, prune flowers and clear up dead leaves. Creating a good impression is what you’re after, so put in the time to make your outdoor area look as good as possible.

Keep it clean

The kitchen and bathroom are key areas that will add value to your property. Scrub tiles and get rid of any signs of mould. Aim to present your house as if you were actually selling it; that way, your agent will have a good feel for its potential, even if you’re revaluing to start renovations. The better it looks today, the more money it will be worth tomorrow.

The key to getting the most for your home is presenting it in its best light. If you fix what needs fixing and stage it as though you are putting your home on the market, you stand the best chance of getting a valuation that will make you smile.