Savvy sellers of commercial properties will know exactly how to get bids
that match the property’s true value. They will also want to know how to increase
the value of the property before it is sold.
The value of any building premises can be increased with minimum effort,
money, and time through a few simple steps.
Projex’s top 5 tips for
increasing the value of commercial properties before sale
1. Get the lighting right
Lighting can make an enormous difference to the appearance of an office
or store. To begin with, the lighting must make the space appear big and clean.
Observe the lighting in every room, both during the day as well as in the
twilight hours to make sure it is showing off the business’ true potential. The
appearance of a room is influenced by the placement, fixtures, and type of
lighting used.
Keep the curtains and blind shutters open, and the windows clean to maximise
the entry of sunlight in the room during the day. Any lighting used at night in
each room should be suitable for security purposes.
Standing lamps and floor lamps can help achieve a temporary lighting
solution at a relatively low cost. Display tables in the store/office can be
highlighted using stick-on strip lights. Even spread of light can be achieved
by simply replacing a dark lampshade on a hanging bulb, which focuses the light
down with a white shade covering the entire bulb to let the light flow uniformly
at all angles.
2. Turn the building into a
clean, blank canvas
When placing a building on the market, it is important to present a
‘blank canvas’ to prospective buyers. The first step to achieving this is to
remove all elements in the office that reflect the existing business including
pictures, ornaments, furniture and any sign of personalisation. The presence of
these elements will cloud the buyer’s ability to imagine the office as their
own.
The second step is to give the property a deep clean covering every
cupboard, wardrobe and drawer as well as carpets, fixtures and windows. A clean
office creates a pleasant and inviting atmosphere, and gives the right vibes to
the buyer.
3. Do necessary DIY
Minor fixes will go a long way to creating a presentable office. Though the
owner may resist the idea of spending hundreds of dollars on a property that is
getting sold, it is important to know that a small investment on repairs will
pay them back multi-fold on the sale price. Be savvy about the fixes including
getting wall holes plastered in; painting rooms that need freshening up; and having
any pest issues dealt with effectively. Even major fixes should be carried out
if required as they may have an impact on the final price.
4. Ensure the property is still
structurally sound
This suggestion is pertinent to sellers who own the whole commercial
property. Before listing the property on the market, they should ideally have a
professional contractor inspect the building to confirm the frame is
structurally sound, the waterproof membrane is not leaking anywhere, and there
is nothing seriously wrong with the building.
5. Make it eco-friendly
The visual appearance of a building is a major factor in the appeal of a
property. Carbon appeal can also influence buyer decisions. New buyers care
about the environmental impact of the building in terms of energy and water
efficiencies. These expectations can be met by getting water-saving plumbing
fixtures, a tankless hot water heater, and some wall and loft insulation.
Projex Group distributes Wolfin, Cosmofin and Koster waterproofing
systems in Australia and New Zealand.
