Home improvement over selling cheap

Recent statistics show that improving a home can increase the chances of selling it in future.

The figures, from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics), show that, in a time when it is proving tough to sell any property, the number of transactions being reported by surveyors has fallen dramatically.

Rics spokesman Jeremy Leaf explained that recent government changes would do little to help sellers.

"A lack of mortgage liquidity is the key issue which is keeping the housing market from showing any real sign of recovery.

"While money is scarce, many will continue to be denied the next step on the property ladder.

"The governments stamp duty policy will not be enough to kick start transactions and is more likely to assist buy-to-let investors with better access to finance than the first-time buyers it was aimed at."

All this leads to a poor market for sellers, who may look to improve by adding a glazed extension or bespoke pool house rather than selling straight away.

This would increase the homes appeal to buyers when the time comes to sell at a reasonable price.