COULD 2017 be the year you sell your property? Sarah Beeny shares her tips for putting your house on the market.

The new year is often a time when many will be thinking about putting their property on the market.

Property website Rightmove tends to see a jump in people searching for properties after Christmas and into January - so if you’re considering taking the plunge, it’s worth making sure your home’s looking its best for potential buyers.

TV property expert Sarah Beeny, owner of estate agent Tepilo, says: “The end of the year and beginning of a new one are often times for contemplation, so it’s when many people decide they’d like to move and begin the big search, making it the perfect time to sell.

“You’ll get a head start on anyone not ready to make the most of the increased activity and benefit from the increased number of people looking for a new home.”

Giving a property a fresh lick of paint, tidying up interior fittings that look a little rough around the edges and clearing garden pathways of fallen leaves will help to make a good first impression for those intending to sell.

And despite the economic uncertainty, several housing market forecasts have pointed to UK house prices continuing to generally head upwards in 2017, albeit at a slower rate than in 2016.

Research from Barclays Mortgages has found that the average brick sitting in a UK house is already worth more than £47 – based on the property’s overall value.

In 2006, a single brick in a home would have been worth £35.70 on average – but the cost has increased as property values have surged over the years.

Here are some general tips for sellers and buyers from Beeny, who’s also an ambassador for the Barclays Mortgages ‘cost of a brick’ campaign: 

  • With the cost of each brick being so expensive, does it make sense for some people to improve rather than move, and if so, what are the best ways that people can add value to their home?

“Improving, instead of moving, can be a really great option when house prices are high. Not only can improving your current home make it feel like a brand new place, it can also add significant value to the property.

“For those will a smaller budget, a simple face-lift can work wonders – fix up the garden with decorative lighting or decking, use a bold paint colour to create a living room with real character, and touch up the front of the house, as it’s the first thing prospective buyers will see. if your budget can stretch a bit further, it is worth looking into any bigger projects you could take on. extending the kitchen, often the hub of the home, or adding an additional bathroom can add a lot of value to a property, providing extra space for you to live in, while also being a strong selling point when you decide to move on.”

  •  How can buyers try to keep the costs down?

“It’s really important you consider all the costs, from deposits and building surveys, through to moving costs and furniture, and also the ongoing maintenance costs associated with the upkeep of a property before you commit yourself to buying a property.

“However, once you are ready, the best way to keep the costs down is to be flexible on what you are looking for. Looking outside of your dream location, for example, can save you a significant amount of money, as can or buying a property that is perhaps a little less fashionable architecturally.”

  •  Any tips for first-time buyers?

“Save as much as you can to put towards your future home – putting money aside each month can really add up in the long run, and it’s a great habit to get into that will help you for the rest of your life.

“It may also be worth talking to loved ones about how they could help, either through help with the deposit, allowing you to live at home for a while to save up, or they may even be able to support you through specialist mortgages.”

Beeny also suggests considering government-backed schemes aimed at helping first-time buyers.