When looking to enhance the exterior of a property, a bit of elbow grease and enthusiasm can make a world of difference when on a budget. 

Adding a fresh coat of paint on the windows, walls, fences and especially the front door can instantly lift a home's façade, giving it a more contemporary and well-cared-for appearance. 

While small improvements to cosmetic details can go a long way to improve the properties overall aesthetic, consider adding or replacing an old house sign to give the property a welcoming first impression. Tidy away outdoor bins, trim back overgrown bushes, cut the grass, pull weeds from the paths, and spread some fresh mulch over flower beds will turn a once overlooked space into an inviting entrance. 

All these cost-effective enhancements will go a long way to presenting it as a well-loved home.

It’s widely recognised that colour has a profound impact on mood. Adding colour through flowering pollinator-friendly plants in the garden, or around doors and windows by utilising pots, window boxes and hanging baskets can further enhance the property's charm, giving the appearance of abundance and luxury. 

A water feature such as a small pond or fountain is another addition which can convey sophistication and tranquillity, while adding strategic outdoor lighting doesn't just make the property safer, but can spotlight the architectural beauty of a property. 

These enhancements do not need to be expensive additions to be effective, but if well thought out, they will do wonders for creating a lasting impression, while increasing a property's perceived market value.

The front door is a key component to any property, and there can be a lot to consider, such as a doors strength, thermal efficiency and aesthetic. 

For character properties and traditional homes, wooden doors are most favoured, often giving a timeless and sophisticated appearance. Wooden doors can be painted to enhance the home's character. Natural colours with an organic appearance are the most popular, with many homeowners choosing soft blues, olive greens or greys for their home. If you’re looking to make an impression, bolder colours such as yellow and red can be used, but if you’re looking to sell, it’s always best to keep things neutral.

For more contemporary homes, aluminium doors are a popular choice. Aluminium is very robust, offering greater security compared to their wooden counterparts, while also able to hold larger glass panels that let in more natural light, blurring the lines between the outdoor and indoor spaces. 

These options don't just vary in looks but also in how long they last and how much upkeep they need, which is a consideration for homeowners when making their choice on door style and material. 

When it comes to a property's value and charm, the impact of kerb appeal can't be overstated. It's that first glance that can sway the impression of a property, and if you’re looking to sell, your properties exterior can be a warm handshake to potential buyers. 

The initial impression influences not just how an area or road is perceived, but a buyer's opinion on not just their view on the property's worth but also the emotional bond they might develop with the place.

When a home's exterior looks inviting and well-kept, it suggests that the same level of care has been taken indoors, possibly leading to better offers and a swifter sale.

Instead of looking to replicate the past, there is a greater focus on taking inspiration from past architectural styles and adapting these for modern living, incorporating modern construction methods and design ideas. This has resulted in a simplification of the external facades, with fewer materials, cleaner architectural lines, and unfussy detailing.

Internally, open plan living is preferable with large multi-functional spaces, utilising natural light with large areas of glazing and roof-lights linking internal spaces to outside.

Updating any out of date or tired décor is a great start before focusing on bigger projects such as a kitchen renovation or extending the property. Make the property clean and neutral, repairing or replacing any old fixtures and decoration such as broken tiles, faded carpets, or dated light fittings, and ensuring all major maintenance issues are resolved.

Kitchen and bathrooms are very important areas to prospective buyers and therefore consideration should be given to if these areas need a full renovation.

Storage is often also an issue, making the most of the space you have available providing built in storage is a great selling point and makes the most of areas that otherwise go unused.

Maximise kerb appeal by keeping on top of any maintenance to the front of the property, including garden and drive areas, façade, and external doors & windows (with specific attention to the front door). Larger renovation projects can be a great way to add value and can utilised redundant areas such as basements, loft spaces, garages, or additional land to the side or rear of the property, however, consideration needs to be given to whether or not removal of these areas will be detrimental to the property overall, for example, removing much need storage or amenity space.

With the drive toward net zero there is a lot more focus on sustainability and how we can integrate these requirements into the design of new and existing buildings.

Any improvements that can be carried out on a home to improve the fabric performance and integrate green technologies will be a great selling point. This can include insulating and improving the airtightness of the buildings fabric (i.e. floors, walls, & roofs), replacing old doors & windows, or installing a renewable heating or power system such as an air source heat pump or photovoltaic panels.

This is often subjective, however, any modifications needs to be neutral and compliment the property. For example, if the property has period features, removing or covering these up will lose part of what makes these types of homes appealing. Bold or personal decoration can also be off-putting to prospective buyers, although it may not be exactly what you would choose, a neutral palette will appeal to a wider audience.

Similarly, big or expensive features do not automatically guarantee a return on investment and need to be relative to the property and its prospective buyers.

Any larger alterations need to add value and not detract from the existing space available. For example, the introduction of a walk-in wardrobe or an ensuite can be highly desirable, however, if to achieve this a bedroom needs to be lost or compromised, prospective buyers will likely look at these as unfavourable. As a result, balance needs to be struck between grandeur and functionality.

It is imperative that careful consideration is given to the overall design and that it is created avoiding ‘tick box’ features. The scheme as a whole should best utilise the available space to be both attractive and functional. The choice of building & landscaping materials is also important to compliment or contrast one another well and of course the property too.

The use of re-cycled materials and ecologically friendly solutions is important and could certainly add value to a scheme. Despite the outlay, it can make good sense to engage a Garden Designer to create a garden plan that works on all levels.

Choosing the right plant for the right position is key. Knowing the soil type, as well as acidity/alkalinity and condition (improving as necessary) will help determine suitable planting.

Consideration should definitely be given to the aspect of the garden and any existing features in the garden or nearby such as tree canopies, walls, topography of the landscape. Without exploring these points will almost certainly lead to planting that will fail, disappointment and wasting money.

Planting with inappropriate spacing or poor choice of cultivar may result
in overcrowding or plants and trees that spread or grow far too big for the space.

Water features nearly always add value to a garden if positioned and installed well. Whether a small pebble pool or fountain either will give the calming sound of trickling water. If the garden allows space for a formal or wild life pond, both will create interest throughout the year and habitats for many species of insects.

Many years ago vegetable gardening was probably one of the prime uses of the garden. It’s encouraging to see the recent surge in interest with many households now growing at least some vegetables.

If the space allows for a dedicated vegetable area with the inclusion raised beds, composting facilities and possibly a greenhouse I’m sure this would add value and be attractive to most buyers subject to their lifestyle.

Thought should be given to the individual property area and garden size to weigh up to what extent a vegetable garden could be an asset. An area for cultivating herbs even in pots is always attractive & beneficial if space is limited.

The ecological trends will continue to grow; using recycled materials, less concrete and solid paved areas, solar lighting, composting, cultivation of edibles & using plants that benefit pollinators and wildlife.

Some homeowners are still wanting low maintenance garden options and are using artificial lawns in pursuit of this. Although there can sometimes be a small area of a garden that artificial grass might benefit in general natural lawns, whether cultivated or wild flower will remain the choice for most. There will continue to be interest in economical irrigation and both features & planting in consideration of drought conditions such as Mediterranean themed gardens.

The general feeling in the industry is that property prices will continue to fall throughout 2024, by how much is very hard to predict. This can be attributed to high mortgage rates and high costs of living. It’s expected they will recover going into 2025.

A year or two ago, it would be common for properties to be sold at above the listed price. Now I see more properties being sold at just below, or for the asking price. Again, this is possibly due to the higher interest rates, and the cost of living.

There are a couple scenarios to consider. If you are looking to sell and purchase a new property, the property price drop/rise will be relative. The price drop/rise difference between the property you are selling and buying will be similar as a percentage and there wouldn’t be much to gain from waiting to sell.

Many people I speak to are in need of moving to relocate, or have a need for a larger/smaller property and do not always consider the prediction for house prices going forward. This need drives the decision to sell rather than getting the absolute most for the property.

The second scenario would be people who are just looking to sell and not purchase again. This could be landlords, second/holiday homes, moving in with a partner etc. They may decide to wait until property prices recover to get more for their property. However, the longer you keep the property you will need to consider the running costs whilst keeping it for the extended period of time.