Kerb appeal tips for selling your Shared Ownership home

Life can change quickly. The time comes to move on to pastures new – a new home, a new neighbourhood or a new city, one that’s a better fit for your next chapter. 

If you bought a Shared Ownership property as a starter home or your situation has changed, you may be ready to move. In that case, you’ll likely want to maximise your chances of selling by making sure your home appeals to prospective buyers. 

According to a survey by Homeowners Alliance, 68% of homebuyers say kerb appeal is important, proving just how influential it can be for generating interest in your home. While big projects can increase your home’s value, they cost time and money. The good news is that small tweaks can make a big difference. 

Discover easy ways to boost your home’s kerb appeal and why it’s wise to do so before selling your Shared Ownership home. 

Why you should consider your home’s kerb appeal when selling 

When you sell your Shared Ownership home, the resale price will be based on its current value, rather than the value at the time of purchase.  

If you haven’t staircased to 100%, it’s a legal requirement to get an independent valuation from a surveyor accredited by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). This will set the price for the share being sold. 

If you’ve staircased to 100%, you can usually sell your home on the open market. In this case, a RICS valuation isn’t a legal requirement, and you can get a valuation from your chosen estate agent to set the asking price. 

A home valuation is based on various factors, like size, location and condition. Kerb appeal can also affect it. By making improvements to the property, you can increase its value. 

How to enhance your Shared Ownership home’s kerb appeal 

Make a great first impression 

Your home’s exterior is the first thing prospective buyers see, so look at it from their perspective. Consider how you can present it in a way that makes a great first impression. It could be as simple as cleaning the windows or rethinking the colour of your front door – even the shade you choose could add value to your home.  

If you live in an apartment block, the maintenance of communal areas will sit with the building’s management company. If you know it gets cleaned on certain days and times, it might be worth arranging viewings just after, so prospective buyers will see areas like the lobby, lift and corridors looking their best. 

Repair cosmetic defects 

Your home goes through life with you – the ups, the downs, the memorable moments and the daily rituals. This makes general wear and tear inevitable. Thankfully, superficial damage is relatively easy to fix and won’t necessarily cost much of your time or money. 

Some quick fixes you can make include: 

• Sealing any plastering cracks in walls. 

• Removing limescale build-up around kitchen and bathroom fittings. 

• Replacing broken light bulbs. 

• Touching up flaking paint. 

• Re-sticking peeling wallpaper. 

• Replacing cracked or broken tiles. 

Freshen up walls 

Between moving furniture around and simply living in the space, walls get scuffed and scraped. Over time, these blemishes accumulate, making walls look a little tired. Freshening them up is simple – all they need is a lick of paint. 

Bear in mind that neutral colours appeal to a broad range of buyers. Understated tones like warm white allow people to see the space as a blank canvas, making it easier for them to envision how they’d bring it to life in their own way.  

Give your outdoor space some TLC 

Every part of your property gives prospective buyers an indication of its condition. This is why it’s important to show the outdoor space some care and attention. 

In apartments, decorate your balcony or terrace. Plants, seating and lighting all create an inviting ambience, helping people see how they can use the space themselves. 

In houses, spruce up the garden. You don’t have to splash out on landscaping or dedicate your weekends to gardening (unless you want to, of course). Quick fixes like cutting the grass and pulling out weeds can make a world of difference, transforming your garden from wild and untamed to neat and tidy. 

Address any major issues 

It’s best to fix any issues with the property before selling, as this will make it more appealing to buyers. Signs of damp or mould can be off-putting, as they can indicate or lead to bigger problems if left unaddressed, causing buyers to focus their search on other properties instead. Remember that any issues will appear on the homebuyers’ survey, which could cause them to withdraw from the process, leaving you back at square one. 

Depending on the property’s age and when you bought it, its new-build warranty may still be valid, covering any structural issues that need addressing.  

Makeover the kitchen 

If your kitchen and bathroom have seen better days, it may be best to give them a revamp before putting your home up for sale. For many people, the kitchen is the heart of the home. So, it’s one of the most important rooms they consider when deciding whether to buy a property. 

A full renovation may be out of your budget, but little touches like painting cupboards or changing handles can have a big impact on the kitchen’s look and feel. Although these budget-friendly upgrades may not add much in value, they can make the space more attractive to potential buyers. 

Upgrade your appliances 

If you’ve been putting off buying a new cooker or washing machine, readying your home for selling could be the ideal time to do so. 

It’s a legal requirement to obtain an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) when selling a property. Modern, energy-efficient appliances can improve your home’s EPC, boosting its value. The more energy efficient your home is, the more attractive it will be to buyers. 

Tidy up and clean 

In adverts and at viewings, you’ll want to show your home in its best light. Tidying up and cleaning beforehand will help you do this. It demonstrates you’ve taken care of the property, which can give people more confidence in their decision if they choose to buy it. 

Advertise your Shared Ownership home on Share to Buy 

Once you’ve enhanced your home’s kerb appeal with these tips and tricks, it’s time to advertise your property for sale. As part of the Shared Ownership rules, you must inform your housing provider first, as they have a set period of time to find a buyer.  

If they don’t find a buyer during this time, you can then sell your property privately or through an estate agent. You can also list your property on Share to Buy for up to three months for a one-off fee. Contact us for more information about this service.