Home improvements during lockdown to stand out from the crowd

Vendors who have held off from going to market because of COVID-19 have been handed an opportunity to ensure their home stands out from the pack in a few months.

With Kiwis spending more time at home because of self-isolation measures, experts believe now is the time to undertake property improvements to get the house in selling condition.

Those who can withstand the current economic downturn will be well placed to add value to their home and help it stand out in a post coronavirus market.

Decluttering, painting, doing the gardens or renovating the bathroom are just some projects vendors can undertake ahead of the spring selling season, where the market is expected to return to normal.

Vendors did not need to undertake major home improvements like installing a new kitchen to give themselves the edge.

Painting is one thing most people can do, and it is an easy way to add some value to your house.

Even doing simple things like cleaning the gardens in preparation for it to look nice in spring can make the difference.

With the market to remain quiet ‘until at least spring’ due to the hold on traditional open homes or auctions, vendors should look to breathe new life into tired spaces.

As we are forced to stay inside the house, we should look to re-energise spaces that may have been neglected for a while.

There are several improvements and renovations a vendor could undertake to ensure their home stands out from the pack.

Buyers are mainly looking at kitchens, bathrooms and outdoor spaces, but even things like painting or staining concrete driveways can make a big difference.

Vendors could add value by painting the letter box, front door or cleaning the exterior facade.

Paint is a great way to liven a space up while increasing value.

While many DIY-ers look to renovation shows like The Block for inspiration, they often aren’t the best place for inspiration.

These types of shows leave us feeling the only way to renovate to is to go all in or nothing and that is not true.

This is often beyond most people’s pay grade and you don’t need to go that extreme.

The best advice to get your home ready to sell was to follow your gut with style as most projects can be reversed if they don’t work out.

Just go with what is liveable and makes the home comfortable.