When thinking about selling your investment property or home, you may also be convinced to try and make your property seem nicer than it is before the valuation. This much is just good sense. You’ll likely deep clean the place, place some items in storage, perhaps have the windows professionally cleaned — all of this can help a property look better and perhaps even get valued at a higher rate. Yet you may also be tempted to “trick” the person who comes to value your home, for better or worse. That’s not always so helpful, because evaluators see this all the time. We’ll discuss the 3 most common examples and what to do instead.
By Team Savant
Most of us implicitly understand that there are better and worse investments to make in your home, especially if you want to improve the value. This might mean having to restrain some of your more indulgent tastes, or at least redirect the investment away from them. What person with a healthy inner child doesn’t want to install a fireman’s pole leading from upstairs to downstairs, or better yet, an internal slide? But of course, investing in that kitchen refit is probably a better use of your spending.
Removing Land Borders
Some homeowners can feel that a larger garden will increase their property value, so they try to change the landscape slightly. They may think about moving a fence line, or perhaps they remove a hedge row that separates their garden from a neighbor’s, making their plot look more expansive.
While that might seem clever at a glance, a trained surveyor will have access to official land registry documents and maps which detail the exact boundaries of the property. So any attempt to subtly annex a bit of land will be noticed. A surveyor might then question the integrity of the seller, which could have a negative effect on the final valuation. You are probably better off just tidying up your current garden.
Papering Over Damage
It’s completely understandable that you’d want to hide any signs of wear and tear on your property before a valuation, and repairs aren’t deception. This might include using plaster to cover a crack in the wall, or placing a large rug over a damaged floorboard. You might also consider painting over a patch of damp on the ceiling.
The problem is that trained valuers and surveyors are taught to look for these sorts of issues. A quick fix can often be spotted easily by a professional eye if not properly fixed at the root, and attempting to conceal a major issue, such as rising damp or structural cracks, can look dishonest and may lead to a much more detailed and intrusive inspection later, which could affect your sale negatively.
Quick Paintjobs & Odor Coverage
It’s a common habit to want to apply a fresh coat of paint just before a valuation, as a nice, clean wall seems like it would be a good thing. Unfortunately, a hurriedly applied paint job can be quite noticeable, particularly if it's thick and applied to hide something underneath. The same goes for covering up smells, especially if it masks a deeper issue like damp.
A quick spray of air freshener or perfume might seem to get rid of a lingering odor, perhaps from a pet or a smoking habit. However, a valuer is trained to pick up on these things, and the smell of a cover-up can be just as off-putting as the original odor. These are the kinds of considerations evaluators are on the lookout for, so it’s likely best to deal with the source of the problem, even if it’s a bit more pricey to do so.
With this advice, we hope you can avoid falling into quick fixes and instead find the best and truest value for your property.