Whether you’re quite content in your home, or it’s about time to sell up and move on, there are many ways you can add a breath of fresh air or extra space to your house.
But more importantly, simple renovations and having a general spruce up can add some impressive value to your home when the time comes to sell up or release equity. For bigger transformations you may want to consult with your local architect Cheshire for a helping hand.
1.Loft conversion
If you’re craving space or in desperate need of an extra room, a loft conversion is a good choice. It’s one of the most cost effective ways to gain extra living space.
Converting an attic normally costs from around £20,000-£35,000 for a double bedroom with en-suite, and takes about 6-12 weeks to complete. It may sound pricey, but according to the Nationwide Building Society, it can add on average 21% to the value of the house.
Just remember to seek professional advice before converting a loft, as you need to make sure you can meet fire and building regulations.
2.Extension
If a loft conversion isn’t possible or just isn’t your thing, why not add an extension to the ground floor of your home?
You could add a new bedroom, a home office, or increase the size of the kitchen or living room – whatever you think the house needs. It’s a sure fire way to increase value, simply because you’re adding floor space.
If you have an integral garage but don’t use it much, it could also be cost-effective to convert it into another room, adding around 10% to the value of your house.
3.Exterior
The exterior of your house is what attracts many potential buyers to it in the first place – the elusive kerb appeal. You’ll be surprised what a lick of paint can do.
But don’t stop there. Clean the windows, clear the driveway and get everywhere looking as smart as possible. Small details, such as changing the front door knob or adding new house numbers can make your property more appealing for very little money.
4.Kitchen
If you only have the budget to improve one room in the house, you should make it the kitchen. For many, it is the heart of the home, so it’s essential it looks the part.
You can give an existing kitchen a mini re-vamp just by replacing handles and doors. Old ‘white goods’ should be updated for smart modern appliances – items today’s modern kitchens can’t be without – such as an American-style fridge. You probably won’t leave them behind when you sell up but potential buyers will be reassured there’s space for these desirable items.
If you plan to redo the entire kitchen, keep your price bracket in line with your house value. There’s no use spending £30,000 on a £250,000 house – you’ll never get the money back!
5.Garden
The outdoor space of a house is a room in itself. A well-designed garden with space for cooking, dining and relaxing can make a property much more sellable, particularly for families.
You could splash out and add a deck or a new terrace to really add some value to your house. Or, just do the basics. Get weeding, feed the lawn, cut back bushes and trees and add some colour in your borders.
6.Central Heating
If you don’t have central heating, install it. It will cost between £1,000 – £3,000 but will add at least £5,000 to the value of your house. Many people won’t even consider buying a home without central heating, so this one’s a no-brainer.
7.Bathroom
Like the kitchen, an attractive bathroom is important to a lot of people when buying a property. It may seem costly, but you can really keep it simple here.
Install a heated towel rail and a new set of taps. Invest in a power shower if you don’t have one, with a nice big shower head and glass door – no shower curtains allowed! Add in some nice accessories and you’re good to go. Again, the buyer isn’t buying your accessories, but they will add to the overall feel of the room.
8.Hang Mirrors
Mirrors are magical things! Adding a few mirrors throughout your home will make it seem lighter, brighter, and much more spacious – and it’s easy too.
9.De-Clutter
Another simple trick to attract buyers is to declutter your house. Tidy everything up, get rid of all the unnecessary junk and give everything a thorough clean. You’ll be surprised at how much smarter it looks for a relatively small amount of effort!
Need help getting started? Architects Cheshire can help.
