HSBC survey reveals house selling myths

Many homeowners continue to have misconceptions regarding factors which may help them to sell their property, according to a survey by leading mortgage provider HSBC.

40% of UK householders are likely to have spent the recent Bank Holidays making home improvements, with many redecorating rooms, laying new carpet or giving their garden a makeover, according to the HSBC Home Improvement Survey.

The research, which questioned householders and property valuation experts, also revealed the smaller jobs around the house which can help homeowners to sell their property.

More than half (55%) of property valuers said that the number one way to increase a property's chance of selling quickly, and for a healthy price, was to de-clutter. Tidying the garden, repairing paint chips or wallpaper will improve your house-selling chances.

However, over two thirds (69%) of homeowners thought cleaning the windows would be worthwhile, compared to just 39% of the property experts. In addition, while 65% of the experts said that repainting or varnishing a front door would make a difference, only 26% of homeowners recognise this.

Householders should also worry less about putting rubbish bins out of sight or washing the car, and concentrate instead on repairing old fences and gates.

Stuart Beattie, Head of Mortgages at HSBC, said: ‘Our survey shows that many homeowners have spent the recent Bank Holidays making home improvements.

‘While work such as replacing windows or redecorating will make your home more attractive to prospective buyers, it is often the small, last-minute jobs like painting the front door that can make all the difference. First impressions really do count.'