This archive report was first published on 12 July 2019.
Boosting Property Appeal ¶
With a high supply of properties for sale, home and land owners are seeking ways to make their investments more attractive to buyers and renters.
According to Paul Mutahi of UDesign Architects and Interior Designers, one can start by refurbishing old areas and features to give a property a modern look.
However, completely redoing the property by bringing down the old one and building it back up with a more modern design and materials can be costly and may not be the best option.
Mr Mutahi advises that one can do finishes to unfinished parts to add more living space to the property or do extensions such as basements, building a deck or converting an attic.
He also suggests taking down a wall between a kitchen and a living room, re-rearranging a kitchen to create more usable space, adding a bathroom to the master bedroom or swapping the location of two rooms.
Additionally, one can change the floor plan, upgrade the floor by adding or enhancing existing hardwood or tiles, and brush the stones used to build the property or paint it afresh to give it a new and attractive look.
On the other hand, Dennis Kyellenge, a property consultant working with IFL Consult, advises that creating more space in a house will eventually improve its value.
He suggests choosing to mount storage items like cabinets rather than lining them on the floor to create more space and hiring an interior designer to help de-clutter the spaces.
Mr Kyellenge also advises that the property should always be clean inside and outside, and that unkempt homes or lawns turn off buyers or renters.
Simon Ng'ang'a, the managing director of Granite Capital Kenya, a real estate agent, agrees that there are many add-ons that can greatly improve the value of a house.
He suggests growing flowers in the front and backyard, having deftly trimmed lawns and ornamental trees, and having top-notch security features such as CCTV, backup security, sensors, and a secure and modern fence.
Mr Ng'ang'a also advises making the house more family-friendly by ensuring that the house is not on more than two levels, is handicap accessible, and well-insulated for children.
He also suggests repairing broken pipes, carrying out simple repairs and repainting the roof, and ensuring that essential services such as water, sewer lines, and electricity are available.
For landowners, Mr Ng'ang'a suggests adding greenery, murram road, or cabro, and ensuring that essential services such as water, sewer lines, and electricity are available.
