Whether you’re planning to move soon, or in the distant future, there are some renovations that are always worth doing. Get the right improvements done correctly, and you’ll not only increase the value of your home, but you’ll also increase the quality of living for your remaining time in that property. Here are a few ideas that add genuine value to your pad…
Add an extra bedroom
This is a sure-fire way to add a significant sum to the value of your home. In fact, depending on where you are, turning a two-bedroom home into a three-bedroom one could add 30 percent to your property price. If you have a cellar, a decent-sized loft or a garage, converting this into a bedroom can often be done without the huge cost of adding an extension. And so long as your house isn’t listed, you probably won’t need planning permission either.
Split your house up
This is particularly beneficial if you live in a city. If you’re lucky enough to have a large place, you could split it into flats, then sell it as two or more small properties, rather than one big one. In London this could increase the property value by up to 30 percent. If you’re looking to downsize, then you could always live in one flat, then sell or rent out the other.
Make your garden sparkle
If you don’t have vast sums of money to spend, then this is a feasible way to add up to 10 percent to your home’s value. Your outdoor space doesn’t need flash landscape design; it just has to look pretty and easy to maintain. A deck or patio allows the prospective buyer to imagine days in the sun lounger or evenings entertaining guests with al fresco meals. And if you’re really in a rush then simply mowing the lawn, removing clutter and tidying the borders will work wonders.
Get your essentials in order
If you have an obvious damp patch or a boiler that’s on its way out, it might seem like an expensive fix, but you’ll get your money back (and then some) when you come to sell the house. A new combination boiler might be what you need, and don’t forget to fix those leaking taps, blocked radiators, temperamental light switches and rotting window frames.
If you’re planning to make improvements in order to sell your home, make sure the value added comfortably outstrips the cost. For this, you might need advice from an estate agent, and it’ll make paying for the improvements seem far less eye-watering.
