Improving energy efficiency could add over £2000 to a property’s value

In the past, autumn and winter months have proved to be popular times to sell properties. New expert insight from Yopa reveals how you can get more for your money.

Looking for a new, warm property in England at this time of year is like stepping outside and not being rained on – your chances are slim, but it’s not impossible. However, to make the process easier, experts from Yopa, a full-service estate agents, have created a new guide detailing what you should improve in your home if you’re thinking about selling soon.

When prospective buyers come to view your property during the colder months they’re going to be interested in things like warmth and insulation (we like to think otherwise, but these will also be valid in the spring and summer months because we live in England). This is why Yopa claims installing double glazing would be a smart move and updating internal doors, so they keep more warmth in.

In addition, experts also highlighted that thinking about boiler upgrades and replacing your front door will make your property more attractive. So much so that together, according to Yopa, the upgrades will increase your home’s value by over £5,000.

Against this backdrop, researchers involved in creating the guide also touched upon improving a properties energy efficiency – a topic the government have recently addressed as ministers announced that by 2030 homes must have an EPC rating of C or above. Unsurprisingly, the decision brought many criticisms including the cost of installing greener upgrades, but Yopa have outlined that although people can spend, on average, around £6,000, it can increase a property’s value by 3%.

Verona Frankish, CEO of Yopa, said: ‘Selling in the autumn and winter is a great idea. There is a real buzz around the housing market at this time of year so your chances of securing a good buyer and price will rarely be better. But you’ve got to do everything you can to make sure your home appeals to buyers at this time of the year.

‘Summer buyers will be instinctively looking for the ways a property allows them to bring the outside into the home – garden space and sources of natural light for example – while in winter they’re looking to see how the home can protect and shelter them from the external elements.

‘Sellers who understand this difference can really benefit and spending a bit of cash upfront to make sure your home appeals specifically to winter buyers will almost certainly help you achieve a better price and a faster sale.’

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