House Doctor Gray as Featured on BBC Radio Manchester

Spending money on home improvements doesn’t automatically increase the value of your property. The work has got to enhance the property, be in keeping and be well designed and constructed, or you risk devaluing it instead.

There are long-term structural options such as building extensions and conservatories, creating off-road parking, loft conversions, exterior and interior upgrades i.e. kitchens and bathrooms which should in theory increase you property’s value from 5-15%, however in today’s current economical climate these are expensive and unrealistic suggestions and will most probably not add any value in the short term, especially in a city centre pad where you don’t even have the options!!

A more viable and immediate fix is to give your property’s interior scheme a ‘facelift’ or ‘detox’! This again may not add value in today’s current property market, but should make you stand out from the wash of other properties and provide an opportunity to sell fast and for the best possible price.

You may even love your new improved better designed home so much that you choose to stay, or look at other alternatives such as letting, where a cleverly presented space can attract a higher caliber of tenant and achieve excellent rental returns. All this cannot be achieved without an element of good design!!

Useful Tips
- De-clutter: try and create as much feeling of space as possible and think about storage solutions.
- Clean: make sure you have had a thorough clean, especially before viewings. An untidy place can be very off-putting to prospective buyers
- Paint: Touch up any damaged paintwork, or maybe have a complete re-decorate. Try and keep as neutral as possible. Remember if you do chose to add colour go for 1 or 2 shades lighter, especially if you are limited on space (dark walls can sometimes make small spaces feel smaller).
- See to any minor repairs
- Think about lighting: Try and create a relaxed ambience, by using soft lighting and enhance natural lighting as much as possible.
- Replace any old damaged furniture or even better recycle it!! You can get pieces re-painted, repaired and re-upholstered fairly inexpensively.
- And last but by no means least: DRESS YOUR SPACE: Add some key pieces and accessories, such as an interesting chair, some on trend cushions, fabrics and prints. Here you can afford to be more daring with pattern, print and colour. Look in magazines such as Elle décor, Wallpaper and living etc to get ideas of what’s in fashion.

You should also seriously think about some really nice well position artwork. It completes any space and there is an abundance of really exciting alternatives out there at the moment i.e. wall vinyl’s or fashion photography.

Remember use your common sense, and try to steer clear of your own personal taste. You want to try and appeal to as many buyers as possible to clinch that all important sale!!