New figures reveal some surprisingly effective ways to increase your property’s value – and it doesn’t involve planning permission, major renovations or big budgets. So, what’s the secret? We take a closer look…
Property transaction data from the past decade has revealed that spring and summer are consistently the busiest times of year for property sales. On average, just 75,874 transactions complete during the winter months. But as the weather improves, that figure rises to 77,210 in spring and jumps again to 87,460 over summer. With buyer activity increasing, timing a sale in the warmer months already improves your chances of securing a deal.
But it’s not just transaction levels that rise with the temperature. Property prices typically dip by -0.2 per cent in winter before climbing by 1.1 per cent in spring and a further 1.7 per cent in summer – highlighting the seasonal uplift that many sellers benefit from.
However, it’s the potential to boost a property’s value using simple measures that may surprise the most. The analysis found that a thorough deep clean alone could add an average of 2.8 per cent to a property’s value – equivalent to £7,506 based on the current UK average price of £268,087.
Decluttering adds even more. Clearing surfaces, floors and storage spaces of unnecessary items has been shown to boost a property’s value by 3.9 per cent or £10,455. But the most significant uplift comes from decluttering the garden. Tidying and improving a property’s exterior can increase a property’s value by as much as 10 per cent, equating to a £26,809 gain.
In total, these simple steps could enhance a property’s value by up to £44,771 – without any structural work or costly upgrades.
Commenting on the findings, Tarquin Purdie, Founder and CEO of HaMuch.com, which conducted the research, commented: “The power of a spring clean is astonishing. Not only does it help clear the mind and offer a psychological reset after a long, cold winter, but can also lead to huge financial gains for those who are looking to sell their home.
Hiring a professional cleaner and gardener makes a huge difference. We’re all so time poor at the moment that finding a moment to conduct a full and thorough cleaning is difficult, especially if we want it done to the highest possible standard.”
For those short on time, hiring professional help may be worth considering. According to the research, the average hourly rate for a cleaner is currently £12.70, while a gardener commands around £14.31. These figures may be a fair bit higher in the South but still represent a modest outlay in relation to the potential return.
