Period homes; the Altrincham area is abundant with them. Whether you’re in the centre of Altrincham or you head out to Bowdon or towards the suburbs of Hale, Hale Barns and Timperley, you’ll find plenty of homes bursting with period features and charm. And from a property sales perspective, they’re very popular. Even more so if you highlight the period features and balance them with modern conveniences and comforts. But how can you do that successfully? We share our tips below.

The popularity of period homes

Period homes are probably one of the most sought-after property styles in today’s market. In fact, a Rightmove survey from 2024 revealed that Victorian homes were the most searched-for property style on their platform. And luckily for Altrincham, Victorian period homes can be found on many streets and locations, including Ashfield Road, The Downs, and the ‘B’ streets (Bold, Byrom, Brown and Bath). Scaling up in size (and budget), there’s also Bradgate Road in Altrincham, Stanhope Road and Dunham Road in Bowdon, even South Downs Drive in Hale. These are just a handful of places where you’ll find the more luxurious period properties.

Large or small, period homes all have one thing in common; they’re popular and can command a higher asking price. And if you’re serious about achieving the latter, there are some small things you can do to ensure your period property receives the offers you’re hoping for.

Blend the period with the modern

We’ve had the fortune of selling many period homes where the owners have hit the right balance between period charm and modern living. Buyers like to see this. Remember, buyers want to see themselves living in the property you’re selling.

Some good examples of blending period and modern together include:

• In the kitchen; seamlessly integrating state-of-the-art kitchen appliances with traditional shaker-style units.
• In bathrooms or en suites; installing modern walk-in showers alongside roll top bathtubs.
• Across the home, the addition of period-style column radiators won’t only allow more space for showcasing period features, but will complement the period surroundings, too.

And think beyond the aesthetic, too. While your home has period features, you don’t want it to be running on old, tired systems. Investing in practical solutions for warmth, energy efficiency and comfort will make a big difference. Energy performance is important to today’s buyers. So, if you haven’t already, you might…

• Add secondary glazing to sash windows for extra warmth.
• Upgrade your heating system or improve your loft insulation.
• Include new, modern glazing on any extensions you add to your home such as bi-folding doors or Juliet balconies.

The period features you should be showing off

There are particular period features which homebuyers love. These include high ceilings, original fireplaces, bay windows, decorative ceilings and cornicing, stained glass and wooden floorboards.
The biggest tip we can give you is to not overdo your interior so that these period features get lost.

Here’s what you should do instead.

• Scale back your furniture or reposition it to allow your best period features to stand out.
• Make sure a fireplace is as much part of the room’s composition as say your sofa, your bed, or your freestanding bathtub.
• Keep furniture set back from bay windows. As well as showcasing the bay, it also helps the natural light flood the room.
• To emphasise a high ceiling, hang chandeliers or decorative pendant lights, and place a large, antique mirror on the wall.
• If you’re lucky enough to have original floorboards in your home, sand them, oil them and show them off as much as possible.

Staging your period home

When the time comes to sell your period home, you want it to look like it’s ready for a magazine shoot. Well, our website and the major property portals are as good as any magazine!

By following everything we have mentioned above, you will have a beautiful period home ready to go on the market. And it goes without saying you should also check and address anything that’s faulty, cracked, or peeling before selling. Think cornicing, decorative woodwork, floorboards etc.

Then, for that extra bit of period home flair, these touches will make a big difference.

• With colour, avoid grey. Instead, choose warm neutral tones (chalky beige, eggshell, taupe) for around your home. Rich, sophisticated colours or patterned wallpapers look good sparingly, on feature walls or within alcoves, for example.
• Add textiles to bring richness and comfort into your home. Think curtains, plush cushions, throws and upholstery in a range of textures like velvet, wool, and linen. Embroidered fabrics look especially luxurious in a period home setting.
• Spend some time cleaning and clearing your fireplaces, making sure they’re not hiding behind bulky furniture. You might add a candle or a small plant to the hearth for extra detail.
• Clear away your clutter from off the floor and make room for a rug. Persian or oriental rugs over wooden floorboards give a room instant sophistication, plus we want homebuyers to see the space.
• And don’t neglect the front of your property! Give your front door a good clean – or a repaint if it needs it. You can even polish the brass fittings on the door, so that they shine. Make sure you get rid of any weeds around the front of your property, and a couple of potted plants by your front door will give viewers a lovely first welcome.

Do you have a period home in Altrincham, Bowdon, Timperley, Hale or Hale Barns you hope to sell this year? Contact us for a FREE valuation. We will not only talk you through what your house is worth, but what small changes you can make to your home now, to ensure it sells for the best price when the time comes. We’re local, independent property agents who know the local market. By selling with us, you get care and attention to your property sale every step of the way.

Contact us today on 0161 941 4445. Or visit us at out NEW estate agents showroom at 19 The Downs, Altrincham, WA14 2QD.