Every home owner wants their house to worth as much as possible. Even if they do not plan on moving anytime soon there is still a common drive towards capital gain with property ownership. More and more people are relying on their property to provide a significant part of their retirement fund be it through rental income or selling and downsizing so it’s more important than ever to spend money on adding value to any property.
Getting It Wrong
While there are a number of things that can add value there are also a number of things that may even lower the overall price of a home. Making bold choices when it comes to the look of the house from outside can be very damaging. You may think pink windows are a great idea but for a buyer they may just be so off putting they drive right by instead of coming in to view the house. The same goes for planting trees and unusual plants in the garden; these things may have personal appeal but can put of others. While avoiding all signs of personal taste will make for a very bland life it is worth taking some time and asking friends before any big changes externally.
Loft or Attic Conversion
There is no doubt about it, creating more rooms in any home will add value. For smaller homes converting the attic or loft is a relatively cost effective and easy way to create more space. Many homes have an attic but most will be filled with old possessions that could probably be sorted through and reduce in size. The temptation to simply put old things in the attic means it is a space that gets filled up and wasted.
In many areas it is important to seek permission from the planning authorities when building an attic conversion; failing to do this could end up costing a lot of money. The costs involved vary hugely depending on the size of the house but this cost should add a sufficient amount to the overall value to cover itself.
Adding a bedroom is the most common application of an attic conversion. It is also very common to create an en-suite bathroom in the room. It can make for a perfect master bedroom at the top of the house with its own shower and toilet. This website shows a number of ideas and examples of attic conversions - https://www.houzz.co.uk/photos/query/attic-conversion/nqrwns
Wood Burning Stove
There is a lot of evidence to show that adding a wood burning stove to a home adds value. It may be because there is something deep in the psyche of humans that just love being close to fire. But, for many an open fire poses too many risks. The beauty of a stove is that it can be shut securely and so reducing the risk of sparks causing fires. It is far better to get a local company to source and install your fire rather than buying it online and attempting to DIY install. Companies like www.wakefordfireplaces.com can provide the actual units but also fit it too. On top of this it is important to get the right advice about the power of the stove in relation to the room size. Having a stove that produces too much heat can cause issues.
There are lots of choices from modern stylish stoves to much more traditional styles, choose something that fits with the home and do not opt for any extreme designs as this could have the opposite effect on house value.
New Windows
Often thoughts of as they “eyes of the home” windows have a huge effect on the value of any home, no matter the size. Any home with single glazed windows is going to be worth less than one with newer double glazed options. It is well documented that windows are worth considering when selling a home - https://www.windownation.com/blog/post/does-replacing-windows-add-value-to-your-home
There are a number of reasons why new windows can have a positive effect on the value of the home:
They can help heat efficiency, new windows keep the heat in and so reduce the fuel bills and the impact on the environment. No one wants to live in a cold house and no one wants to spend extra money on fuel keeping the house warm when it’s leaking hot air.
New windows look much better. Tatty old window frames, even if they are painted, can seriously damage the value of a home. As people view the house from the outside they may make a choice not to buy before they have even gone inside if the windows are in a poor state.
By replacing the windows the new owner will know they do not need to do it anytime soon. This means they will be happy to pay more for the house because it saves them money in the long run.
Other Factors
Of course, there are lots of smaller factors involved in selling a house like fixing little structural and internal problems, making sure everything is clean and even simply painting the interior. But these three big tips will add some real value to your home.
