Adding value to your home is essential to be able to get a better price on your house when you come to sell it. Whether you’re planning on selling your home as soon as possible or want to have a home makeover to help with selling it in the future, it can be difficult to know what to do to increase your value. It’s important to try and meet all the criteria that add value, so you aren’t out of pocket.
Luckily, there are a wide variety of ways to boost the look and appeal of your home and, in turn, increase its value. Some modifications are simple and quick to do, instantly improving your property, while others will be huge projects where you may need some professional help. However, don’t worry as these will skyrocket your home’s value to ensure you make your money back plus more! If you’re struggling with increasing the value of your property and are stuck in a rut, then these home improvements to increase your home value will transform your property.
Redecorate for a more modern home
A really simple and popular way to add value to your home is to redecorate. This easy home improvement idea can instantly refresh your property and make it look aesthetically pleasing. Put a fresh coat of paint on every wall to add vibrancy and modernity. Try to choose neutral colours as the base for your home’s colour scheme as these are the most appealing to potential buyers. Neutral tones such as beiges, creams, soft greys and whites provide a blank canvas for buyers, allowing them to picture themselves living there more easily and gain ideas on how they want to decorate it. They can imagine what they would do to add personality which makes them interested in your property. If the décor is tailored to you, potential buyers can be put off and get hung up on décor elements they don’t like, leading to no purchases.
Focus on the front door
The first impression of your home counts massively so it’s best to focus on the front door. Your front door gives potential buyers a preconception of what the rest of the house is like. If it’s untidy, weathered and dreary, you’re more than likely sending out the wrong message. It’s crazy to think, but your front door says a lot about you and your property. You can replace your old front door with a brand new one or, if this isn’t affordable, you can make your old one look new again! Give your front door a thorough clean by using a power wash and put a fresh coat of paint on it. Replace the door handle and house number plaque as well, making your front door look clean, smart and impressive which will help your property to stand out.
Deal with structural issues
It is ideal to assess your home and look out for structural issues. Do a thorough check of your home’s structure and make a list of fixes to work through. Some can be minor quick fixes while others may be larger projects where professional help is needed. Your home’s structure is one of the biggest contributors to your property value, so it’s important that any issue is fixed to make a profit when you sell your home.
It doesn’t make much sense to do all the internal work in your home and leave the structure alone. This is because the structure can impact the interior if issues are left untreated. Make sure to tackle important issues such as:
- Structural cracks in walls
- Sagging or leaky roofs
- Damp
- Insect infestation
- An unstable chimney
- Bowing walls
- Missing or broken roof tiles
- A collapsed floor/slab
- Rotten roof timbers or joists.
Add a new heating system
Changing your existing central heating system is the perfect way to increase your value for your home. This is a particularly important home improvement project to do if your property is older. Many old houses have very old-fashioned systems in place that need updating. The best thing about this project is that you will add more value to your home than a new heating system will cost! As soon as it’s updated, your home will be more efficient, warmer and easier to heat.
Ensure that any draughts are sealed around doors and windows and any windows that can’t be repaired are replaced. You should also add insulation to the loft space to help the new heating system and make your home easier to heat. Add new radiators, heated towel rails or underfloor heating to the existing system, making sure everything works perfectly which will entice potential buyers to pay a top price for your home.
Consider a loft conversion
You may want to consider doing a loft conversion if your loft space allows as this can increase the sale price of any home. Creating an additional room in the loft can significantly increase the value, even more so if you add an extra bathroom to it as well. Even though this is quite costly, the investment will most certainly pay off when it comes to selling your home. It not only adds more accommodation, but it also makes sure that you don’t take away any space on your land or property.
When converting your loft, make sure to make space for a full staircase which will take up existing space. A proper staircase is needed for health and safety regulations which helps to boost your value. Bring in natural light through roof lights or dormer windows to ensure that it is a bright, airy and functional space.
Try to use multi-layer foil insulation by searching for aluminium insulation suppliers near me. This will enable you to get an aluminium-based membrane that can help to regulate the loft’s temperature by preventing outdoor temperature fluctuations from getting in. This makes the new bedroom comfortable and cosy, making it appeal to more potential buyers.
Rewire and replumb
It could be best to rewire and replumb your home to add extra value to it. This is especially the case if your home is older as it may have outdated and dangerous wiring and plumbing. However, doing this home improvement is a hefty job and will need professionals to handle it correctly. If you think your home needs this mighty job, then make sure to do it before you do any cosmetic work to your home. It is vital to do this as this project is very disruptive because it requires lifting the floors and chasing out plaster.
Updating electrics is essential if your property hasn’t been rewired in years. You can tell if your wires need work done by checking the meter. If there’s an old fuse box, your whole house will probably need rewiring, and a modern unit will need to be installed. As your home is being rewired try to get extra sockets to add value to your home and take the opportunity to add new lighting too.
If your home has old pipework, then replumbing will be needed. This is because old pipes can get blocked up which gives bad hot and cold flows, knocking or rattling sounds and other noises, and, if it’s really bad, it can lead to burst pipes. Consider getting a pressurised plumbing system as this prevents the need for a header tank. This system frees space and gives good pressure throughout the home.
Use this guide on home improvements to increase your home value to help you sell your home quickly and easily while receiving a profit. These changes can massively pay off and interest many potential buyers, making your property stand out from the crowd!
