Natalie Whether you want to sell or stay, knowing how to increase the value of your home will benefit you financially. However, this aspect of the housing market is massively misunderstood, and you don’t need to spend thousands. Homeowners can add value on a budget. To tap into local housing markets, knowledge of what adds economic value to your house price and what doesn’t will pay off.
The increased property price is just one benefit. Increasing the value lessens the time your house stays on the market should you decide to sell, while short-term benefits include improved living standards for you and your family. So, let’s find out what cosmetic improvements will add value and how to do them on a limited budget.
How to Increase the Value of Your Home
1: Curb Appeal
Many novices looking to increase their property value immediately start on interior rooms, which is the first big mistake. The exterior is what people see first. The term “Curb appeal” describes how appealing a home is from the outside. When looking for issues, start with your entrance door. This should make bold impacts and stand out. Clean windows and check exterior walls. Should you perform an exterior paint job and powerfully wash hard surfaces like driveways and courtyards?
The garden and outdoor space don’t have to look like the Chelsea flower show, but attractive features speak volumes. Consider nighttime lighting, clean gutters, and inspect the roof for damage. Do boundary walls and fences need repainting? Declutter that garage and shed and perform deep cleans. Garages and sheds are usually the most neglected areas for cleaning. Check for loose tiles on roof spaces. Overall, you want aesthetic appeal.
2: Kitchen Updates – Heart of Your Home
Kitchen makeovers should be the second area to look at. Many sellers assume they need a brand-new kitchen redesign. This isn’t true. Not only that, but any potential buyers will probably have their vision for the entire kitchen.
Firstly, do a deep clean. The dirt quickly collects, but handheld steam cleaners are helpful. Get in corners, and pull the fridge and stove out. Look up and assess whether the ceiling needs a fresh lick of paint and the condition of the light fixtures. If the tiles, countertops, and cabinet doors look less than impressive, invest in some quality paint for these areas, stick to neutral colours, and avoid bold ones. Lastly, check the electric and light sockets. A kitchen renovation doesn’t have to cost a lot.
3: Hardware and Light Fixtures
Interior doors are another high-traffic area. You don’t need new doors; consider whether they need deep cleaning and a lick of paint. Likewise, check skirting boards and window frames.
PVC paints for windows will touch up scratched surfaces with fresh coats. Net curtains block lots of light, which makes rooms appear more spacious, so install blinds instead. Look for drafts in doors and windows because this increases energy consumption. Also, perform deep carpet cleaning. The results will amaze you.
Replace old, worn carpets with affordable, low-maintenance laminate flooring. Put down some rugs in neutral colours to uplift the look. Lastly, do the walls need another coat of paint? Many prefer built-in light fixtures instead of old-fashioned lampshades because they require less cleaning.
4: Cost-Effective Heating and Energy-Efficient Homes
Energy bills instantly capture attention because everyone likes to save money on bills. There are various ways to make homes more efficient, and your pocket will benefit from cheaper utility bills if you don’t sell.
Grabbing energy from natural sunlight saves energy costs in hot countries, and solar panels are typically fixed to the roof. Secondly, if you don’t have double glazing, invest in it.
Check your loft insulation. Typically, light bulbs are out, and energy-saving or LED lights are in. Are there cheaper alternatives for the heating system, and have you installed SMART Home Technology? There are many possibilities, but look carefully and remember that the aim is not aesthetic but to decrease energy costs or make a home green-friendly.
5: Decluttering and Ample Storage Space
Decluttering increases usable space, which buyers love. Clean the interior of wardrobes, cupboards, and drawers, and consider what to throw away or give to charity. Getting rid of old furniture or items no longer in use creates additional living space and adds to the sale price.
6: Bathroom Remodels
Based on cost reports, an extra bathroom suite adds 8 to 10% to the average price, but simply replacing doors, lights, taps, and shower fittings refreshes the appearance of existing bathrooms. Heated towel rails are always a winner. Look for limescale and whether your bathroom needs regrouting. Remember, wet rooms function as an extra downstairs bathroom.
7: Add Square Metre Footage for Extensions
Granted, this is a costly upgrade that requires adherence to building regulations and planning permissions. Still, usable square footage that adds to extra living spaces always helps. Most people turn a patio area into a conservatory for all seasons. This becomes another living area and garden space for indoor plants.
Adding a home office creates additional space for professionals or remote workers. In contrast, families always love a designated laundry room. Some people opt for garage conversions but think carefully about this because having designated parking spaces appeal to buyers. Loft conversions are another popular option for an extra bedroom. The more useable square footage, the better, but plan well.
What Wow Factors Do Property Buyers Look For?
Knowing what buyers want will help if you do all this to sell. Putting yourself in buyers’ shoes helps determine much-needed upgrades and maintenance. However, buyers wish to have specific qualities repeatedly. This typically starts with low maintenance and minimal building repairs. Extra space is always a big winner. Garage storage spaces are great for DIY tools and kids’ bikes.
Natural light is essential. Replace curtains with blinds and use neutral colours in your décor because bold colours make rooms seem smaller. Laundry rooms and backyard seating areas look here to stay. Lastly, the main bedroom is of top importance. Property experts confirm double bedrooms constitute a significant lure and should feature ample floor space. An en-suite bathroom is a bonus, but check whether this upgrade will be worth it.
Be Careful – Bad DIY Projects Affect the Selling Price
Everyone has experienced situations where they felt confident enough to take on DIY projects, but everything went wrong. Bad DIY is costly and professionals will have to rectify mistakes. While saving money is tempting, be realistic. We always stick to small projects with an average cost for DIY jobs and leave the large ones to the experts. Remember to be wise with your money because this isn’t a renovation project.
Home Improvements To Avoid
You might be brimming with ideas by now, but it is essential to be realistic because not everything adds value to a home. Indeed, some projects costing thousands will not add a penny to the selling price. Some projects will outprice you from the market and even depreciate your property. Forget about luxury conversions. That loft space could be better left as it is. Swimming pools create more maintenance and upkeep. Don’t remove bedrooms to make other living spaces; forget about entirely carpeted houses. This trend is over.
About Us
We are Spot Blue Real Estate Agents. As property experts in regional and local UK markets, we know what gives the wow factor. From kerb appeal to roof tiles, planning purposes and more, our friendly team will answer further questions about how to increase the value of your home. We can even give tips on how to do it on a tight budget. Additionally, if you are planning to sell or buy property, get in touch, and learn how we can help you in this major lifestyle change.
