How To Increase Home Value
When the property market is volatile, you must keep your home well maintained and up-to-date. Maximizing your home’s potential is important, whether you need extra space or plan on putting your house on the market. Donning your creative thinking cap will help you come up with innovative ideas to increase home value (while impressing prospective buyers), whether you need to do so on a budget or have extra cash to spare.
These 10 home improvement tips will help you increase home value and make it easier to sell.
1. Mirror, mirror on the wall
The strategic placement of mirrors in a house can give the illusion of extra space and add more light. If your house doesn’t have many windows, mirrors can help compensate for that by reflecting outdoor lighting into your home. Placing a mirror in the right spot can lighten up dark corners and create an illusion of having more space.
2. Build a private, beautiful garden
Houses can be transformed by having beautiful, natural outdoor areas. By tidying up your garden and giving it a makeover, you can do just that. Put away the mess, take out the weeds, trim overgrown plants and trees, and mow the lawn.
You can make your garden feel more private and sheltered by doing some simple improvements like putting up a wall or fence or planting a few extra trees. You could also create a covered area by building a pergola, which is a great way to make a socializing space. Take note that you might need to get prior planning approval before you can perform certain types of garden improvements.
3. Upgrade your kitchen
Kitchens are a popular area of the house that is used by everybody. Prospective buyers are particularly impressed by nice-looking kitchens, so you could spruce yours up by giving it a makeover. You could do this by painting cupboards or replacing old doors and handles. Make sure your kitchen doesn’t appear too dark or gloomy. To let more light in, you could add extra windows or increase the size of an existing window. You could even consider adding skylights or a glass conservatory in the adjoining room. Check that your built-in appliances like stoves are not too old-fashioned or worn-out either.
4. Upgrade the plumbing and electrics
Keeping your electrics upgraded is not only good for increasing home value, but it’s also important to keep up with the latest safety standards. Check to see if your house needs to be re-wired. Adding extra plug points and replacing faceplates and switches with more modern ones can make your house appear more attractive. If you re-wire the house, you might also be able to change to more energy-efficient lighting.
Also, consider upgrading old plumbing systems as old pipes can rattle and create poor water flow. They might even lead to burst pipes that can result in property damage.
5. Add another bedroom
A great way to increase home value is by adding an extra bedroom. At some point, however, having too many bedrooms won’t push the price up any further. You can create an additional bedroom by dividing big bedrooms in half or by converting attics or basements. If you have space, you may even be able to add a room to your house, but that can be far more expensive than a simpler renovation.
6. Update the exterior
Many beautiful homes have old, ugly, or poorly maintained exteriors that bring down the overall value of the house. First impressions do count, and there are some easy tips for sprucing up the exterior of your home. These include repainting the front door, outside windows, and walls, installing new garage doors, repairing cracks and broken cladding, or adding a porch. You may need planning permission for some renovations, so be sure to check ahead of time.
7. Get creative with storage space
Built-in storage space can increase home value, and there are some easy ways to add storage throughout your house. Storage space can make your house appear neater, more spacious, and impress prospective buyers.
You can add storage by creating hidden nooks in hallways, adding shelving alongside stairs, creating storage areas in the attic or under the stairs, adding cupboards above washbasins, and adding mounted shelving and cupboards to unused wall areas. Once you actively start looking for areas to transform into additional storage areas, you may be surprised by your creativity.
8. Add a bathroom
Even a small additional bathroom adds value to a house – especially where bathrooms are at a premium. You could add a bathroom by creating an en suite, or you could remodel an existing space. You could even extend the house slightly to accommodate a new bathroom if you have enough space.
If you don’t have the space or funds to add a bathroom, you can still increase home value by updating your existing bathroom. You can do this by removing old wallpaper, repainting, adding new modern fixtures, and adding better lighting.
9. Improve energy efficiency
Prospective house buyers can be put off by daunting utility bills. By upgrading your home to be more energy-efficient, you can also improve its overall value. In areas that are too cold or hot, energy efficiency will be even more important. You can achieve this by adding double-paned windows, improved insulation, replacing light bulbs with more energy-efficient ones like LEDs, and replacing old appliances with modern energy-efficient ones. If you have a bigger budget, you may even consider installing solar panels. One way of assessing your home’s energy efficiency and potential for improvement is to consult with a certified energy auditor.
10. Add smart home devices
Smart technologies like fire detectors, security cameras, lighting, and door locks can also add home value. These technologies are enticing as they enhance safety and comfort. Although smart technology won’t always add value to a home, it can be particularly appealing and may help to entice buyers that are deciding between your home and another that doesn’t have any smart features. The good news is that most smart home devices are affordable, so you won’t need to break the bank.
Know your limits
Always keep in mind your budget and selling time frame before starting any renovations. Make sure you have any planning permissions you need. Also, it is good to keep in mind what renovations can actually lower home value.
If you’re still unsure about what to do to increase home value, it may be best to consult an expert. Don’t fret- we at Duke Warner are here to help. Click below to get started!
