Sellers – which property features influence a buyer’s first impression?

If you’re selling your home, a prospective buyer’s first impression of your property is all-important. In fact, it’s estimated that some buyers make up their minds just seconds into a viewing.

The industry term for creating a lasting first impression is known as having a good ‘kerb appeal’.

With this in mind, what features are most likely to influence a prospective buyer’s first impression of your home and how much do they cost to improve? Here at Centrick, we take a closer look at a recent study that answers these key questions.

Which features are most important to prospective buyers?

Kerb appeal was important to over two thirds of homeowners when choosing their current property, according to a study of more than 2,000 adults carried out by YouGov on behalf of the HomeOwners Alliance.

Those surveyed indicated that well-maintained windows and a roof that appeared in good condition are the two features which were most important when forming their first impression of a property.

Other crucial features included a well-maintained front garden, pathways and fences in good condition and a well-painted home front.

On top of this, clean gutters, concealed wheelie bins, a brightly-lit exterior and an attractive front door were also important to many homeowners when considering a property’s kerb appeal.

How much could it cost to improve first impressions of your home?

According to the study, and estimated by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), improving all of the features above at an average three-bedroom property could be completed in under a week for less than £2,830.

Making sure windows are in good condition, the most important feature for prospective buyers, could cost £1,000-£2,000 if they have not been touched for ten years. Meanwhile, the FMB adds that sellers should consider that scaffolding for upstairs windows could cost £400 a day to rent.

Meanwhile, replacing five missing, loose or cracked roof tiles would cost approximately £190, taking up to a day to complete with scaffolding potentially needed.

Another day’s work is tidying an overgrown garden, which the FMB estimates can be completed for around £150.

Improving a pathway or drive could cost between £100 and £500, depending on the size and extent of any damage to the surface.

As for decorating the exterior of your home, it’s estimated that it would cost around £550 to repaint the front of a house, with scaffolding potentially needed. Moreover, redecorating your front door could cost up to £200, while clearing and repairing gutters could cost around £250.

Concealing wheelie bins is the cheapest improvement to make, with screen storage costing as little as £50, while improving exterior lighting could cost between £250 and £750 and should be carried out by a qualified electrician.

Working with a residential property specialist

As we can see, improving your property’s kerb appeal needn’t cost the world but could be hugely effective in improving prospective buyer’s first impression of your property.

If potential purchasers get a better impression of your home, you can significantly increase your chances of receiving more offers which can contribute towards selling your home quickly and for the best possible price.

An experienced and dedicated estate agency like Centrick can guide you through the sales process, helping you to get the best out of viewings by advising you on the best home improvements and putting you in touch with the best local tradespeople.

If you’re looking to sell your home in the Birmingham, Solihull, Warwickshire and Nottingham areas get in touch with our expert team today to see how we could help you. To find out how much your property could be worth on the current market, you can get a free and instant online valuation here.