Five home upgrades that can really pay off
Almost half of Brits plan to give their home a makeover in the next year and they will spend an average of £3,342 on these projects. But not all these jobs will add value to their homes. If you would like to boost your property’s value, make sure these home upgrades are on your to-do list:
Paint your home
A new coat is a good and inexpensive way to add thousands to the value of your home. Potential buyers look for and love neutral colours, but remember this doesn’t restrict you to white or beige. Earth colours work really well especially green, blue, browns are warm and inviting. Grey works really well in modern properties and it is right on trend.
The majority of potential buyers will make their own opinion on your home before they even enter the front door, so don’t forget to paint the exterior as well. A freshly painted home will have real appeal to the buyers, as it will look fresh, modern and clean.
Remember to look at other houses on the street and the landscape before choosing a colour for the outside of your home. If you are unsure, you can’t go wrong with white.
Convert your loft
More than 23 million homes have a loft space and many of these are only used for storage. Rather than using the space to store boxes and old furniture and other junk why not turn it into a liveable space or give it a well needed makeover? This could increase the value of your home by 10-15 percent, or up to 20 percent in London where spacious homes are in short supply.
Always remember, a professional valuer will analyse your home in terms of usable floor space. If you add to that space, you immediately add value.
Your new space could become an extra bedroom or a study, both of which are incredibly attractive to potential buyers. Do be careful to make sure you investigate whether planning permission and / or Listed Building Consent is required, have a surveyor inspect first to make sure the joists can support the extra loading and keep an eye on the works as they progress to make sure corners aren’t cut.
Add or upgrade your central heating
“A modern central heating system is a lot more energy efficient than electric heaters or outdated models. The new system should have a full set of thermostatic radiator valves, a timer and a room thermostat.”
Installing a modern central heating system will cost between £3000 and £4000, but you will quickly recover this cost in your reduced energy bills. You will see the biggest difference if you work with the system by insulating your loft and sealing gaps around windows, and taking other energy-efficient measures. In most cases this will add more to your property’s value than its initial cost and the government’s ECO Scheme means you might even get such measures free!
Install a water softener
More than 60 percent of homes in the UK have hard water, which is rich in magnesium, calcium and other minerals. Hard water causes lime scale on heating systems, water pipes and household appliances. It can also significantly reduce the lifespan of heating systems and appliances.
Installing a water softener will remove the minerals from the water supply and will help you to reduce your household bills. Your appliances will last longer and you’ll spend less on lime scale removers and bathroom cleaners.
Spruce up the garden
Making your garden over can improve your home’s kerb appeal and adds significant value to your property. If you are looking to do the bare minimum, you should cut back overgrown trees, get the weeds out of the flower beds, replant some new flowers and cut the lawn. However step up your efforts and you’ll be rewarded handsomely.
Buyers will love privacy and this can be achieved by planting mature trees or putting up fences. A well-designed deck will increase a home’s living space and also increase its value. Having distinctive areas for relaxing and eating can make a garden feel more appealing and usable.
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