Decorating
Decorating: 10 Dos And Don’ts of Adding Value to Your Home
They say you have to spend money to make money, so read on to find out which home improvements pay off in the long run
There was a time when the runaway housing market meant you could buy a home, sit back and just watch its value soar. Those days may be gone for many, but invest wisely and you can still win at the property game. Here are a few of the best ways to add value – and some things to avoid…
…but DON’T worry if you can’t afford it
If you’re lacking the time, money or energy to take on a big building project, simply getting planning permission and having plans drawn up by an architect can show a potential buyer what’s possible and set your property apart from the competition.
If you’re lacking the time, money or energy to take on a big building project, simply getting planning permission and having plans drawn up by an architect can show a potential buyer what’s possible and set your property apart from the competition.
DO convert the loft
Turning your dusty old attic into a chic bedroom and bathroom can increase your asking price by a whopping 21%, according to a report by Nationwide Building Society. It’s also one of the more straightforward ways to add extra space – usually cheaper and less disruptive than a basement conversion, where, depending on your home’s location, you may not get back all the money you spend.
Discover what to consider when planning a loft conversion
Turning your dusty old attic into a chic bedroom and bathroom can increase your asking price by a whopping 21%, according to a report by Nationwide Building Society. It’s also one of the more straightforward ways to add extra space – usually cheaper and less disruptive than a basement conversion, where, depending on your home’s location, you may not get back all the money you spend.
Discover what to consider when planning a loft conversion
DO upgrade your kitchen
It’s no secret that kitchens sell houses – and they also add value to them. If you’re fitting new cabinetry with a view to selling in future, keep the space neutral – you may love red worktops and purple units, but future buyers won’t pay extra for something they plan to rip out. The more valuable your property, the more it’s worth investing in quality fittings and appliances, but always keep your spend in proportion to the size of your home.
It’s no secret that kitchens sell houses – and they also add value to them. If you’re fitting new cabinetry with a view to selling in future, keep the space neutral – you may love red worktops and purple units, but future buyers won’t pay extra for something they plan to rip out. The more valuable your property, the more it’s worth investing in quality fittings and appliances, but always keep your spend in proportion to the size of your home.
DON’T strip out period features
Fireplaces, sash windows, dado rails, ceiling roses – if you’ve got them, keep them! Many buyers have period properties with character right at the top of their wish list, so tearing out original features is a sure-fire way to knock zeros off your asking price.
Fireplaces, sash windows, dado rails, ceiling roses – if you’ve got them, keep them! Many buyers have period properties with character right at the top of their wish list, so tearing out original features is a sure-fire way to knock zeros off your asking price.
DO add an en suite…
A second bathroom can add 5% to your asking price, according to Nationwide Building Society’s report. This is especially important in a bigger property, where buyers expect a decent ratio of bathrooms to bedrooms, so it’s worth sacrificing a corner of a bedroom or even squeezing a compact en suite into a walk-in wardrobe.
A second bathroom can add 5% to your asking price, according to Nationwide Building Society’s report. This is especially important in a bigger property, where buyers expect a decent ratio of bathrooms to bedrooms, so it’s worth sacrificing a corner of a bedroom or even squeezing a compact en suite into a walk-in wardrobe.
DO have a star attraction
Whether it’s a wall of glass doors that can be folded back on warm days, a stunning contemporary fireplace or a vaulted ceiling, an unusual feature that will make buyers fall in love with your home is worth its weight in gold.
Whether it’s a wall of glass doors that can be folded back on warm days, a stunning contemporary fireplace or a vaulted ceiling, an unusual feature that will make buyers fall in love with your home is worth its weight in gold.
DO turn your garage into living space
If your garage is home to half-empty tins of paint, DIY gear and clapped-out old gadgets, it’s time to realise its potential. Talk to estate agents to find out what buyers in your area want most – living space, another bedroom, an office – and give them exactly that.
If your garage is home to half-empty tins of paint, DIY gear and clapped-out old gadgets, it’s time to realise its potential. Talk to estate agents to find out what buyers in your area want most – living space, another bedroom, an office – and give them exactly that.
DON’T forget about the garden
All too often a beautiful home is let down by an unlovely garden, leaving buyers thinking they’ve got a lot of work ahead of them. Present your plot as a low-maintenance outdoor living space that can be enjoyed all year round and watch those offers come flooding in.
TELL US...
How do you add value to your home? Share your tips in the Comments below.
All too often a beautiful home is let down by an unlovely garden, leaving buyers thinking they’ve got a lot of work ahead of them. Present your plot as a low-maintenance outdoor living space that can be enjoyed all year round and watch those offers come flooding in.
TELL US...
How do you add value to your home? Share your tips in the Comments below.
If there’s one thing buyers want, it’s more space, and they’re willing to pay for it. Adding a conservatory is a relatively inexpensive way of upping your square footage, but for a dramatic increase in value, a well-designed extension that complements the style and proportions of the original building should be high up on your to-do list.
Learn what you need to consider when planning a rear extension