Is an Ugly House a Deal Breaker?
House hunting usually comes hand-in-hand with hopes and dreams. The investment in bricks and mortar is also an emotional one as we search for our forever home or the house that will encapsulate the lifestyle that we have always aspired to. However, with emotions at play and set ideas as to what we are looking for it often means house hunters are disappointed with what is on offer.
At Chiltern Relocation we understand the need for your home to reflect your personality and match your requirements. However, we also know that a lot of the barriers to a successful home search are simply cosmetic. Many houses lack ‘kerb appeal’ – 1960’s rectangular boxes, clapperboard or pebbledash fronted, or A-frame houses, which look identical to the rest of the street. Many people see these exterior concerns as too much of a negative which stops a potential viewing in its tracks.
But is an ugly house really a deal breaker?
With some vision, expert advice and not a huge amount of money ‘ugly’ houses can be transformed. Here’s how:
- House frontages can easily be painted (the cheaper option at £25 per square metre) or given a lime render, which would cost around £65 per metre including labour and can totally transform a house frontage.
- Replacing old crittal or plastic windows with modern feature windows or traditional sash windows will give the house a face lift.
- Get rid of ‘add-on’ porches or exterior cladding.
- Old style ‘wavy’ roof tiles are also aging and ugly. Retiling the roof with slate or modern tiles will change the exterior beyond recognition.
- Good lighting. Well thought out and striking exterior and interior lighting will highlight the positive features of the house.
- A smart and welcoming front door gives an instant boost.
- Simple and well thought out landscaping and planting can also make a huge difference to the exterior.
Houses that lack kerb appeal will also lack interest from other buyers, meaning that you can potentially snap up a good buy. With a little investment in time, concept, money and emotion you can transform an ugly home and add considerably to its value.
Lindsay Cuthill, a director of Savills estate agents, believes giving an ugly house an exterior makeover can add 10 per cent to its value.
Don’t let an ugly home stop you and your dreams in their tracks – look beyond the bricks. Seek advice from architects approved by the Royal Institute of British Architects (www.architecture.com) and speak to The Federation of Master Builders (www.fmb.co.uk) who can help with suitable builders.
If you would like help with your house search please do get in touch. Visit: www.chilternrelocation.com Email: enquiries@chilternrelocation.com or Call: 01494 672086.
