How to easily up the value of your home if you are looking to sell, writes Jonathan Rolande

It is worth considering some affordable improvements, as the market has in effect stalled due to falling prices and interest rate hikes.

Last Friday, Lloyds Bank said the average price of a UK house fell by 1.2 per cent in October – the biggest fall in three years, but there is wide regional variation.

In London, prices are down by more than 3 per cent, but they are still rising, at between 2 per cent and 2.2 per cent, in the North-East and North-West of England.

The outlook is somewhat gloomy, however, following the Bank of England’s rise in its base interest rate to 4 per cent.

Further rises are expected, which will mean higher mortgage costs, and higher inflation will put a squeeze on household finances.

That means if you are looking to sell, you should be looking to get to the top of the pack of listings in your area. And that means standing out from the crowd.

Too many listings have over-optimistic prices and there will now be more pressure from buyers looking for price reductions.

To resist this, there are some simple improvements you can make to your home to help you rise above the stale listings in your area and wow potential buyers during viewings.

In fact, £500 is perhaps all you would need to spend to gain that crucial advantage over other sellers and add value to your home.

Here are five nifty ways you can do that:

Smarten up the entrance (£150–£300). A tidy front door, decent house number, new handles and improved outside lighting can make all the difference.

First impressions count, starting before anyone steps inside.

Reflect your home character: brass numbers on a painted front door for Victorian homes, or clean chrome for ’30s semis.

Build a garden office (£250–£450). Transform an unloved shed into a workspace: paint it, add flooring, a desk and lighting.

Working from home is not going anywhere and extra usable space helps. But remember, if it is not insulated, it is not fully functional.

Upgrade lighting (£150–£350). Swap out big lights for lamps, warm bulbs and discreet under-cabinet kitchen lighting.

It can make an ordinary room feel far more luxurious.

Find hidden storage (£200–£450). Utilise space under stairs, awkward alcoves and empty hallway corners.

Buyers love built-in storage rather than shop-bought units.

Give the bathroom a hotel-style makeover (£250–£500). New mirrors, taps, shower screens, fresh grout and decent accessories can make your bathroom feel five-star without tearing it out completely.

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