With all the time and expense involved in buying a new home, you may have thought that the months following a move may be marked by cost-cutting and reigning in spending.

However, for many this is by no means the case, as it seems that a fair proportion of new homeowners are keen to turn a property into their dream home as soon as possible by shelling out for home improvements and renovations as soon as the removal men have left.

The latest YouGov survey conducted by Countrywide has revealed that 34 per cent of new homeowners spend more than £7,500 on refurbishing their property in the two years after their move.
Robert Scarff, managing director of Estate Agency Division at Countrywide, points out: "Buyers often factor in renovating and re-decorating costs into their home-moving budget, with many gaining quotes on large or urgent projects like new kitchens or bathrooms before putting in an offer for the property."

And it's not only buyers who are making home improvements, as many homeowners thinking about selling up are taking steps to make their property more attractive to potential buyers by sprucing up the interior.

However, rather than splashing the cash on large-scale renovations, sellers are often better off making small improvements, such as replacing leaky bathroom taps or fitting attractive chrome towel radiators, that will instantly revamp their home but without breaking the bank.

Mr Scarff points out homeowners keen to make a sale are often encouraged to take steps to 'neutralise' their property before viewings so that potential buyers can visualise how their own belongings and sense of style will fit in.

But, just as important, is to ensure that your home is clean, tidy and uncluttered, and that any odd jobs have been carried out.

"Things like wonky shelves, loose door handles and missing tiles are often overlooked by sellers but can be off-putting," he adds. "These are often cheap, quick and easy to fix and can improve the overall 'look and feel' of the house."