Whether you have recently moved into a new home, are happily settled in one, or are looking at selling to progress up the property ladder by buying a bigger property, adding value to your property is worthwhile. Indeed, it is often much better to continually make improvements over the years so that the value has naturally increased when you come to sell. Don’t worry if you have not had the time or money to do that though – there are lots of home improvements that can be done before you put your home on the market.
The key thing to think about when trying to add value to your home is what buyer’s will want. Put yourself in their shoes and think about what you would be prepared to pay extra for. In the same way, try to look at your home and identify what could actually decrease the value of it. This will enable you to pinpoint issues to fix and resolve. Just remember to make sure that what you spend on any work will be likely to be made back on the extra value it brings in.
But what are the best ways to add value to any home?
Effective ways to add value to your property
- Install wooden shutters – shutters are a relatively inexpensive and effective way to quickly add value to any home. Not only are they quick to install but they make a real difference to what people will pay for your property. The bespoke look and high-end feel they provide is what increases the attractiveness of a property. Many people will also be prepared to pay more for a property with shutters due to the practical features they bring. For example, many buyers prefer them for the greater control they give over natural light levels, room temperature and privacy.
- Think about renovating up, out or down – adding value to your home can often mean adding extra usable space. The main ways of doing this are converting the loft to a bedroom or office, extending out into the garden with a conservatory or down into the cellar. All this kind of work can add lots to the value of your home due to the extra space it provides. Whether you add a bedroom into the loft space, a home gym into the cellar or a conservatory out the back, it should make more than it cost when you sell.
- Don’t forget the bathroom – one of the rooms that can really bump your home’s value up is the bathroom. Buyers will spend extra on a home with a well-designed bathroom which makes it worthwhile to improve it to a high standard. If you have the budget available, then a brand-new suite with a double shower enclosure is bound to make your property more desirable. Even a simple makeover can work wonders though with new accessories like heated towel rails and useful storage improving the space.
- Make the most of your garden space – the power of outdoor space to add extra money onto your home’s value should not be overlooked! All buyers looking for detached houses will want a well-kept outdoor space, and it will always fetch a premium in cities. So making the most of it will add real value to your house. If you have the money, adding decking or an attractive seating area is worth considering. Even on a budget, a quick tidy up of flower borders and keeping the lawn cut can work wonders.
- Carry out any routine maintenance – although this may seem like a small thing, it can make a big difference in terms of your property’s value. Not fixing things like broken tiles or dripping taps can make your home less attractive. On top of this, buyers will offer less as they need to factor in the cost of doing the repairs themselves. Take the time to walk around your whole home regularly to spot any small issues that you can take action to fix.
Adding value to your home is not hard
As you can see from the above tips, there are lots of ways to add value to your property with home improvements. From smaller jobs like installing wooden window shutters to larger ones like loft conversions, you can tailor what you do to your budget. By simply sprucing up the look and feel of your home, you will be surprised at just what a difference it makes to how much your home is worth.