Enhancing energy efficiency in a property could potentially boost its market value by more than £2000
In the colder months of autumn and winter, the housing market in England remains active, offering a prime opportunity for sellers to achieve a better price and faster sale, according to Yopa, a full-service estate agent. Yopa has created a guide to help homeowners sell their properties effectively during these seasons.
Yopa emphasises the benefits of catering to winter buyers' needs, as these upgrades can potentially increase a home's value by more than £5,000. The key is to make the property feel warm, welcoming, and well-maintained despite the colder, darker season.
To increase a property's value during the autumn and winter, sellers should focus on several key steps:
- Enhancing curb appeal: Ensure exterior lighting is effective and gardens are tidy, even in colder months.
- Creating a warm, inviting atmosphere: Provide adequate heating, cosy decor, and good lighting to counteract shorter days.
- Making practical improvements: Fix leaks, upgrade insulation, or refresh surfaces to ensure the property is well-maintained.
- Utilising Yopa’s online valuation tool: Understand current market conditions and price the property competitively, given that affordability is improving slightly and mortgage rates are easing.
Investing in improvements such as double glazing, internal door updates, boiler upgrades, and a new front door can make a property more appealing to winter buyers. These practical improvements not only cater to the needs of winter buyers but also add value to the property year-round.
Upgrading a boiler and replacing the front door, for instance, can significantly increase a property's attractiveness. On average, people can spend around £6,000 to improve a property's energy efficiency, but it can increase a property's value by 3%.
Winter buyers are particularly interested in properties that offer warmth and insulation. Therefore, focusing on energy-efficient upgrades can help attract these buyers. However, the government's decision to require a minimum Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of C has faced criticisms regarding the cost of installing greener upgrades.
Despite the ongoing economic uncertainty, homebuyer appetite remains strong, but it relies on interest rates continuing to fall. Verona Frankish, CEO of Yopa, states that selling in the autumn and winter is a good idea due to the "real buzz" in the housing market at this time of year.
In conclusion, by following Yopa's guidance, homeowners can effectively sell their properties during the autumn and winter months, increasing their home's value and achieving a faster sale.
- In the colder seasons, homeowners who focus on improving their property's energy efficiency, such as boiler upgrades and double glazing, can make their home more appealing to winter buyers, adding value to the property year-round and potentially boosting its value by 3%.
- To help attract winter buyers, homeowners should aim to create a warm and inviting atmosphere, investing in practical improvements like a new front door or fixing leaks and upgrading insulation, which can increase a property's value by more than £5,000.
- Despite economic uncertainty, homebuyer appetite remains strong during the autumn and winter months, but it heavily relies on interest rates continuing to fall, making investing in home-improvement projects worthwhile according to Yopa's guide for homeowners.
