The housing market is a tough proposition for sellers at the moment. According to the property website Zoopla, the latest data shows that an average of £18,000 has been dropped from asking prices this year, or the equivalent of about 5.5%. Soaring interest rates have meant that there are fewer buyers around, and they can afford to be picky.

Mortgage rates have started to ease slightly, but with the number of homes for sale at a six-year high, more effort is needed to attract a buyer at the right price. One way to add value to your home is to make some simple improvements to the interior. Here are some suggestions.

Declutter

Clutter often tops the estate agents list of things that put off potential buyers or even viewers. It can make a room look smaller and the overall appearance is unpleasing. It can also raise doubts about how well cared for and maintained the property has been, and whether more serious issues lurk under the chaos.

If this is an issue for you, go through each room and sort out items into three categories: those you want to keep, those that you want to sell or give away; and those that can be recycled or taken to a refuse centre. Be brutally honest and don’t be tempted to hang on to stuff ‘just in case’ or for sentimental reasons.

If you do not have enough storage space in your house to tidy away items, you may want to consider putting them into storage until after you have moved. 

Install fitted furniture

For a bigger project that can add value to your home, consider having some built in wardrobes installed. Fitted furniture is especially attractive to buyers because it maximises every inch of space, avoiding the dead areas that are created by standalone furniture. It can also make use of awkward alcoves and sloping ceilings, making the room appear bigger.

High quality fitted furniture that has been professionally installed also looks sophisticated, contemporary and stylish, and will reduce the amount of clutter in your home.

Spruce up the front garden and entrance

First impressions are important, so bump up your home’s kerb appeal by making sure that the front garden is tidy and that your front door is in good condition. Trim hedges, trees and borders and clear pathways, and add some pots or hanging baskets. 

Wash your front door or give it a fresh coat of paint, and consider replacing the door hardware such as the letter box, door handle, and number or nameplate if it is in poor condition. 

Fix mouldy kitchens and bathrooms

Damp and mould are huge red flags to potential buyers. If your home has a serious problem such as rising damp, do not attempt to disguise this as it will come up on the buyers’ survey later down the road and cause endless frustration and delays. 

However, superficial issues such as mouldy grouting and mildew on bathroom tiles should be dealt with so the room looks fresh and sparkling.