As autumn temperatures drop, Brits may be looking to move, and sellers can take strategic steps to appeal to cold-weather home seekers. Yopa, a full-service real estate agency, provided expert insight on how sellers can add significant value to their homes over the fall and winter months.
While the housing market is typically busy with buyers looking to secure new homes ahead of Christmas and New Year, this is a great opportunity for sellers to highlight the comfort and energy efficiency of their properties.
Yopa’s guide highlights important improvements that will not only attract winter buyers but also increase property value. Updates aren’t necessarily cheap, and increases in value aren’t guaranteed, but those who can invest may see a significant return on their investment.
From window upgrades to increased insulation, these targeted renovations can make a big difference in both appeal and asking price.
A good entrance door brings added value
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Double Glazing – Value Added: £21,972
For older properties with single glazed windows, upgrading to double glazing is a ‘significant’ investment. Winter buyers prioritize well-insulated homes, and double-glazed windows improve both insulation and noise reduction, experts said.
The average installation cost is £7,000 but can increase the value of your home by around 10%. Based on the current UK average house price of £289,723, this equates to an increase of £28,972.
After deducting installation costs, homeowners can expect an effective added value of £21,972. This great return on investment makes double glazing an attractive option for sellers looking to maximize the appeal and value of their property during the colder months.
Internal door updates – value added: £8,889
Interior doors play an important role in the energy efficiency of your home. Replacing old, ill-fitting doors can greatly improve heat retention and overall comfort.
Replacing around 10 internal doors will cost around £2,700 but can increase the value of your home by 4%. This equates to an average net real value added of £8,889.
Replace front door – value added: £2,806
According to experts, high-quality front doors increase curb appeal and carry emotional significance to homeowners. Investing in an attractive front door, costing around £1,250, could increase your property value by 1.4%.
This increases the real value by £2,806, a valuable improvement for sellers targeting autumn/winter buyers.
Improved energy efficiency – added value: £2,537
Energy efficiency is becoming increasingly important to homebuyers. Experts explained that many people are currently avoiding properties with low EPC ratings, and government regulations may impose minimum standards in the future.
Upgrading an older home from a D rating to a more attractive C rating costs around £6,155 on average. However, this investment is expected to increase the property value by 3%, increasing the real value by £2,537.
Boiler upgrade – value added: £2,255
Modern, efficient boilers are very attractive to potential buyers. Upgrading your boiler for an initial cost of £3,250 will instantly increase your home’s value by an average of 1.9 per cent.
This improvement represents an added value of £2,255 and is a worthwhile investment for sellers looking to appeal to autumn/winter buyers.
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Energy efficiency is important to many buyers
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Repoints – added value £1,047
Repointing is the process of restoring exterior brick, providing both aesthetic and structural benefits. This renovation will address weathering damage and prevent moisture issues and water ingress that can compromise the integrity of the structure.
A good surveyor will likely identify the need for repointing during a property inspection. By proactively addressing this, sellers can avoid potential roadblocks in the sales process.
The average cost of a repoint is close to £2,000, but it can add £2,897 to your property value, increasing your net value by £1,047.
Verona Frankish, CEO of Yopa, said: “Selling in the fall and winter is a great idea. This is when the housing market gets really active, so you have the potential to secure a good buyer and price. It rarely goes higher than that.”
