Increasing the appeal of a home as buyers return to market

Confidence is slowly returning to the housing market, according to a recent study.

With potentially more buyers looking at the market, those looking to sell may look to add a conservatory as a powerful bargaining chip, increasing the appeal of the property to prospective new owners.

According to research from the Building Societies Association (BSA), almost half (46 per cent) of those questioned this month felt that now was a good time to buy a new home.

Compare that to July and Septembers figures where only 27 and 34 per cent respectively felt the same way, and it seems buyers could soon return.

BSA head of mortgage policy Paul Broadhead explained that he hoped to see a trickle of buyers coming back to the market in the next year.

"With sentiment playing such an important role in the property market, the gradual increase in the numbers of people who believe it is a good time to buy bodes well for 2009," he said.

According to the Halifax, the average property is now valued at less than £165,000 so it is reasonable to assume homeowners will look to boost the value of their property before selling.