If you don’t have much cash to splash around, it can be frustrating hearing advice on how to increase your property’s value, as most methods inevitably involve a several thousand pound investment. However, there are a number of ways that you can add value prior to sale without *any* layout whatsoever – all you need to invest is a bit of time, and maybe some elbow grease. Some of these tips will add actually value to your house, while all of them will add buyer appeal, meaning a quicker sale and less likelihood that you’ll have to reduce the sale price.

Make it Light, Bright Clean and Tidy

When your home gets valued, and when you have potential buyers round, keep your curtains open (assuming it’s daytime) and open windows during the warmer months. This will give your home a fresh and bright appeal. Deep cleaning is an obvious one – we all know we need to do it, it’s a chore, but if we do it ourselves, it’s a free way to add value and buyer appeal. The secret is to try to look at your home with fresh eyes – is there a dusty pile of newspapers that you no longer notice? Does it smell of pets? Sorting out niggling issues like these will create an overall feel of freshness.

Decluttering

Most of us are aware of the need to declutter, and the process can be quite satisfying. Through property programmes, we’ve become aware of the Feng Shui of interiors, where less is definitely more when it comes to creating buyer appeal. You can always put things in the shed or attic to get them out of the way, but being ruthless and properly getting rid does mean that you’ll have less stuff to cart around when you actually move (saving you time and money). Of course, you can even make some money this way, by selling on things that have been lying about the place unused.  Decluttering also applies to the garden – ornaments, tools, toys and of course, gnomes are garden clutter that can be cleared out of the way.

Sort out the Garden and Exterior

You might have heard the expression “kerb appeal” and this is all about the vastly important first impression that a buyer gets when they approach a house’s main entrance. This can be a deal-breaker if it isn’t smart and well-kept, and a neglected exterior can reduce a property’s sale price by around 5%. With this in mind, simply tidying the front garden, sweeping paths, and trimming hedges/weeding the front garden are steps that will create that all-important kerb appeal. How are your windows looking? Cleaning them will make a big difference to the overall effect.

And finally…. Use your photography skills.

If you’re a good photographer, can you improve on your estate agent’s photographs? Often they don’t show off a property as well as they could, especially when it comes to gardens and exteriors, so sending your agent a few well-composed shots could entice extra buyers through your door.

David Ingram is a blogger with a passion for property and social media. He learned his trade working for a Marylebone Estate Agent, however he is now based in sunny Manchester. For more articles and money saving tips from David, you can follow him on @boywithbeard