A house is usually the biggest investment that most people will make.
Whether you are planning to sell the home soon or you are interested in an investment that is more long-term, there are countless ways you can add value and improve your home through these processes.
When you are ready to sell you need to ensure that you get the best price, fast property valuations will give you an idea of what your property is worth.
So, you may be wondering how you can ensure that you are getting the most out of the property, along with increasing the potential worth of the home?
Below are 10 easy tips you can use to instantly add value to your house.
Redecorate
Redecorating is usually one of the more inexpensive methods to add value, especially when you do this work yourself.
Replacing or cleaning your carpets, repainting walls, or repairing broken fixtures will improve the aesthetic appeal of the home and make it far more attractive when it comes to potential buyers.
Stay away from garish and bright colours when you decorate as this may be unappealing to many buyers. Rather stick with natural and muted colours while focusing on keeping it clean and fresh.
Transforming Unused Spaces
Make sure you are making the most out of the property by transforming any unused spaces such as a garage, attic or basement.
If you are not using your garage to park your cars, then it would be sensible to change this area into an additional living space. At the same time, an attic or basement can be transformed into a guest room which can contribute to a 15% increase to the overall value of the property.
In many cases, you probably won’t need to obtain planning permissions for this type of work, yet both types of conversions are going to be subjected to specific building regulations. For this reason, check with a building-control inspector or architect to make sure your spaces are structurally sound in order to convert.
Increase Your Living Spaces
If you are starting to outgrow your home, rather than finding a bigger home, why not consider adding onto the property with either a conservatory or an extension.
Replace Your Windows
Making the decision to upgrade your windows is one of the guaranteed ways to add more value to your home.
In addition to improving the overall aesthetic appeal of the house, the installation of energy-efficient glazing reduces energy bills and will end up saving you a lot of money over the long-run.
New windows also make the home more secure and this is a highly attractive feature when it comes to potential buyers.
Enhance Your Curb Appeal
This cliché may be old, but 1st impressions really do count. If you have made the decision to sell, you need to ensure that the property is looking attractive to buyers.
If it is not in your budget to replace your windows, then a new paint job could dramatically improve the appearance of old and outdated windows. You could also hire window contractors that provide spray-painting services that offer your windows with a protective coat, which stops peeling and cracks.
Even deciding to replace your front door with a modern and stylish design will instantly improve the visual appeal of the home.
A New Bathroom
Adding on an additional bathroom or renovating your old one is another easy way to add more value to the property.
This investment can become costly, so if you are looking to keep your costs down, make sure the original layout of the bathroom remains, as making the decision to move pipes and fixtures is expensive.
You can also upgrade your existing bathrooms with solutions that are low-cost such as treating mildew and mould, re-grouting or painting.
Give Your Kitchen A Makeover
A brand-new kitchen is a hefty investment, yet a hygienic, modern and stylish kitchen can add significant value to your home. In fact, if you had to choose one room to renovate in the home, the kitchen will most likely add the highest value to the property.
Think about elements like natural light, or good quality appliances and attractive, practical surfaces.
Make Your Living Areas Open Plan
You can also dramatically transform your house when you knock down internal walls between your living room and kitchen which can result in a multi-functional living space.
Of course, this is an option that will depend on if these walls are load bearing. You will need to obtain advice from a building contractor to assess whether this is a viable option.
This is a fantastic alternative on how to make the most out of these spaces and is often viewed as an asset that is attractive for many potential buyers.
Off Street Parking
If you have the space available, adding an attractive driveway onto the front of the home can also boost the overall value of the property.
Transforming your front garden or yard into parking spaces is usually an appealing asset for most buyers.
The planning regulations may vary according to the street type that your property is located on. There are many other regulations that you need to adhere to which often include permeable surfacing and a drop curb.
Spruce Up Your Garden
Basic tasks such as weeding, collecting leaves and mowing your lawn is a good start. Other features which include outdoor and patio lights can also assist in creating spaces that are far more attractive. If you have enough space, you may even want to consider adding an additional living space by erecting a garden room.
It is important that you seriously weigh up all your options before you lay out significant amounts of cash on an addition such as decking. This is especially true if you have decided to already sell your home, as it is not something that will appeal to every buyer.
Top Tips on How to Increase the Price of Your Home - Let's Fix It