10 WAYS TO ADD VALUE TO YOUR HOME
Your home is your castle but it’s also one of your biggest financial assets. Changes to your property can add substantial value and get you a step closer to your dream home when it comes to selling-up time.
There are many ways to add value to your property: some small and others not-so small. Here are 10 profit-boosting ways to enhance your home.
Replace The Windows
Double glazing in a home is considered essential by a lot of house buyers. Even if you aren’t thinking of selling, replacing the windows can save you money. Heating’s a huge part of energy budgets so investing in new windows will keep in heat resulting in less wasted energy and less cost to you.
Replace The Front Door
Even something as simple as replacing your front door could add significant value to your property. For a quicker fix why not consider giving your door a fresh lick of paint?
Long pathways can also be the first impression visitors have so repairing cracks is a good idea. Even pressure washing your existing one can have a dramatic effect. Other changes to consider is new lighting or replacing your old number sign and door knocker. The little things all add up!
Tidy Up The Garden
An untidy or neglected garden is another potential ‘deal breaker’ for house buyers. However, all it takes is a simple tidy up and decluttering to make your home a great prospect.
The lawn is key to adding value as keeping it well maintained not only enhances the look of your garden but creates the illusion of more space. Buyers could see the garden as hobby, space for their pets or a place to play for their children. So keeping it well maintained should be a priority.
Insulate The Loft
Making your home energy efficient is a big plus for today’s modern householders. Insulating your loft can even save you up to £225 a year on energy bills. To save even more money you can even insulate it yourself. Most DIY stores now sell insulation roll so going green is easier than ever before.
Extra Security
A perception your house isn’t secure could put buyers off making an offer. From a high-tech burglar alarm to a simple chain on the front door, taking some extra measures to secure your home is a good way of adding value.
Convert Your Garage
Have a garage but keep your cars outside? You may be neglecting what could essentially be an extra room. Converting your garage into a bedroom with ensuite could add an additional 20% to your home. Even turning it into a simple playroom or study could increase property value significantly.
Paint & Decorate
Even a fresh paint job or papering the walls can add a bit of gloss to your house’s sale price. Make sure the colour or wallpaper are neutral though as one person’s perfect palette can be another’s nightmare.
Go Open Plan
Modern tastes are more geared towards open-plan living than the buyers of yesteryear. Knocking down a wall between two rooms (i.e. kitchen and dining room) to create a modern living space and increase the value of your home significantly.
Fix Existing Problems
Dry rot, leaky taps, cracks in the wall… unsightly issues may put off any prospective buyers. Thankfully, minor problems can be dealt with relatively easily if you’re willing to do a spot of DIY.
Get a Conservatory
This is one of the most popular types of home improvements. It’s effectively an extra room so can be a great way to boost the value of your home by at least 5%. A conservatory is highly desirable among home buyers.
It also costs a lot less than an extension and significantly less hassle while it’s being built. However, make sure you hire a reputable company as a conservatory is a big commitment and will significantly change the look of your home.