Whether you’re selling your home or you just want to improve it in a market-friendly way, knowing how to maximise its value could be crucial to getting a good resale price.
Here at Express, we’re celebrating a whole ten years of experience in improving properties, so we’ve put together our top ten tips on how to add value to your home. From kitchen renovations to simply replacing the front door, there’s a whole host of things that you can do to bump up your asking price.
Update the Kitchen
If the kitchen is looking dated, then improving it could add up to 5% onto the value of your home. It’s a very important room in the house and many buyers will be looking for something modern.
When designing a new kitchen, make sure you think about the “kitchen triangle”, which is the ease of access between the sink, the cooker and the fridge. Install the latest equipment and incorporate some of the latest design trends, so you’re leaving a kitchen that is stylish and practical for years to come.
Spruce Up the Bathroom
Another room that buyers look at is the bathroom. With hours spent bathing, relaxing and prepping, the bathroom is a room that needs to be practical yet inviting. If your suite and tiles have modern appeal, you can update your bathroom relatively easily by swapping out taps, installing a heated towel rail, a power shower and a fancy shower head.
Make Rooms Bigger
When it comes to buying a house, most people are looking for space, not number of rooms. If you’ve got a galley kitchen and a small dining room that could be knocked through to create an open, modern-looking and multi-functional space, then give it some serious consideration. It could make your home much more desirable.
Build Storage Space
Integral storage space means having to buy less furniture. Clever, well designed storage solutions will mean more space is freed up and rooms will appear bigger.
It also makes moving in much easier. No having to build furniture, no organising ‘stuff’, no living out of boxes. Instead, having built-in wardrobes, shelving space or other storage space could make all the difference.
Convert the Loft
A loft conversion is one of the most popular ways of adding value because it means building into space that you already have, but aren’t necessarily utilising. Adding a bedroom and an en-suite up there means that you have space for a study, a craft room, or another bedroom for potential buyers on your second floor – not to mention the additional value you could add by including some of the bespoke products we cover in our downloadable product brochure.
Add a Conservatory
Providing that it’s in keeping with the style of your house, a conservatory or orangery extension is a sure-fire way to improve your home – and add value.
From a dining room to a sun room, the possibilities are endless for potential new homeowners. Adding another room in the form of a conservatory or orangery can add up to 10% on the value of your property.
Install a Basement
Installing a basement can be one of the most expensive forms of conversion, particularly if you don’t have a cellar in the first place. Specialists will be needed to do the planning and the work, and you will probably have to move out of your home for a while (potentially months) if there is structural work involved.
However, much like a loft conversion, it will completely transform the way you use your home (or a potential buyer might). Carefully costed, it can add a significant amount to the value.
Add Parking Space
Think about whether parking is at a premium in your area. Could providing more parking with your property make it stand out? If the answer is yes and your front garden isn’t really part of your property’s appeal, then pave over it. Parking spaces can be rented out too, so it could act as a money maker in its own right.
Up the Garden Ante
A beautiful back garden could give your property a point of difference from the rest. Make sure that it looks good when viewed from the house all the year round. Install expansive sliding or bi-folding doors to bring the outside in and seamlessly transition indoors and out. Choose outdoor lighting and garden furniture to create an enjoyable garden space.
Kerb Appeal
First impressions really count when it comes to selling houses. If potential buyers don’t feel good on the way in, they’re unlikely to be clamouring to put an offer in. Simple things like mowing the lawn, sweeping the path and neatening up are essential. If your front door is looking a bit sad, then consider a fresh coat of paint or replace tired looking PVC doors with modern, sturdy aluminium.
Final Thoughts
If you’re intending on selling your property, try to look at it objectively from an outsider’s perspective. You might love the shaker style kitchen, but if it’s dated, then you may be pushing away younger buyers who want something clean and modern. Always opt for neutral colours when redecorating ahead of a house move!