16 Top Tips – How to Add Value to Your Home
Whether you’re carrying out a home renovation project, or you want to simply give your abode a bit of a makeover, there are various things that you can do which can add value to your property. Even if you aren’t planning to sell your home in the immediate future, increasing the value of your home can only be a good thing. Some projects are not only guaranteed to enhance the curb appeal of your home, they don’t need to cost the earth either, nor be a massive disruption.
If you would like to go further up the property ladder, knowing what can add value to your home is crucial. For those who are ready to move on, making changes to the exterior and interior of your home is a must. First impressions count, so doing your research and spending time on giving your home the TLC it needs can make all the difference. With that in mind, here are 16 top tips to consider that will add value to your home.
Solve Structural Problems
One of the best ways to add value to your property is by sorting out structural problems. Examples of structural problems include rising damp, a leaking roof, rotten roof timbers or joists, a collapsed floor, and an insect infestation. While there are plenty of cosmetic improvements you can make, such as installing a brand-new bathroom, it’s important that you tackle structural issues first. If you’re unsure on how to differentiate between structural defects and cosmetic faults, you may want to consider hiring a structural engineer, surveyor, or builder who can provide you with more information.
Update Your Heating System
Another way to add value to your home is by updating your heating system. Although it can be costly, updating your heating system will always outweigh the cons, and will make a huge difference to your property. There are various things that you can do, such as adding insulation in the attic, sealing any drafts, as well as replacing windows. If your boiler is functioning correctly, it’s best to leave it alone. Instead, you could benefit from adding underfloor heating, new radiators, or a heated towel rail to keep your home warm.
Consider Rewiring
Whether it be plumbing or wiring, these tasks can be disruptive, especially as they involve chasing out plaster walls and lifting up floors, so it’s crucial that you complete any work before starting on cosmetic improvements. If your home hasn’t been rewired for many years, updating the electrics is essential. You can also add extra sockets which will increase the value of your home. During the rewiring project, you should take this opportunity to add an extractor fan in the bathroom or update your lighting.
Decorating
Although it may seem like an obvious task, the way you decorate your home could be damaging the value of your property. While small but subtle defects won’t be too much of an issue when factoring in how much your home is worth, they could put off potential buyers. Make sure to have a look around your home for any defects that need sorting out, such as peeling paint, loose tiles, door latches that do not work, or squeaky windows and doors. Nipping any of these problems in the bud before they get any worse can only be a good thing, helping to make your property stand out and be eye-catching to viewers. If you’ve made the decision to move, try and decorate your home in a way that will impress potential buyers, rather than your personal taste. Although buyers can make changes to the property once they’ve moved in, it doesn’t hurt to stick to neutral colors such as beige to make your home more attractive.
Replace Windows
With double-glazing now being considered a necessity by many buyers, it may be time to replace your windows, especially if you want to increase your home’s value. Understandably, there are several factors to consider before replacing windows, such as the style of your home, where you could be doing more harm than good. Make sure that your replacement windows have equal sight lines and are well balanced. You should also ensure they have proportions that are taller than they are in width. Additionally, keeping your home well insulated and warm with energy efficient windows is a must, especially if you are planning to sell your property in the near future.
Remodel
Before you consider extending your property, why not look into remodeling? Improving the existing layout may be all it takes to maximize the value of your home so you may want to check out these tips to help save you money on your home remodel. Whether you want to make changes to living spaces like the dining room or the kitchen area, drawing up a simple floor plan can help you identify what work needs to be done. The possibilities are endless when it comes to remodeling, so whether you remove walls to create more space, or move furniture around to create a more open feel, the decision is totally up to you.
Add a Bedroom
It goes without saying, the more bedrooms your property has, the more chance you have of increasing the value of the property. There are various things that you can do to create extra bedrooms, such as dividing up your existing space by adding and removing walls, or by converting your attic or cellar. You may even want to consider extending your property where you can add a couple more rooms, however, if you’re on a strict budget, it’s more cost-effective to re-use your existing space. Also, ensure that you create a balance between the number of bedrooms and bathrooms you have. The golden rule is to have one bathroom for every three bedrooms.
Kitchen Makeover
They say that the kitchen is the heart of the home. No matter who walks through your door, potential buyers are drawn to the size of the kitchen. Creating an area that’s clean, attractive, and sociable can be another great way to add value to your home. Before you replace your kitchen, there are various fundamentals that you should consider, such as the shape and size of your kitchen. In many cases, kitchen renovations can be done for a modest investment. Even small changes like replacing unit doors or repainting the walls can have a big impact.
Updating the Bathroom
Understandably, bathrooms need to look fresh, inviting, and hygienic. Making your bathroom stand out and creating a touch of luxury can make a huge difference and increase your home’s value. To start with, ensure that there is adequate lighting, as well as making sure that the walls are painted in a nice and neutral light shade. If there isn’t enough lighting, consider replacing a single pendant with a triple one. If your bathroom doesn’t have a window, you may want to consider adding a light pipe or roof light.
Garden Makeover
Many homeowners love nothing more than to get outdoors and soak up the fresh air, therefore, your outdoor space can be just as important as what’s on the inside. A garden makeover can not only be appealing to buyers, but also add value to your home. There are a few things that you should consider first, such as creating a space that’s private so homeowners can feel more relaxed. To do this, you could add fences or mature trees around the property. Even if a garden makeover isn’t on your to do list, there are basic tasks that you can complete, such as cleaning and tidying up dead plants and litter, getting rid of weeds, as well as feeding and repairing the lawn.
Increase Curb Appeal
First impressions count, so if you want potential buyers to be hooked from the moment that they see your property, it’s important that you increase your curb appeal. Most buyers will know within a matter of seconds whether they like your property or not, so giving your home an exterior makeover is the way forward. Consider repainting any brickwork, repainting exterior windows and doors, repairing broken or cracked cladding, as well as adding a porch. There are lots of different things you can do, so to get viewings off to a good start, be sure to spend time figuring out what you need to do to increase your curb appeal.
Add Some Wow Factor
Thinking outside of the box and adding some interesting features into your property can be another great way to add value to your home. Adding some wow factor can help it stand out from other homes for sale in your area. There are several features to consider, such as adding a fireplace, a feature window, a new staircase, or even a designer front door. What’s more, many simple features don’t have to cost a fortune, as long as you plan carefully. Make sure not to overlook any of your existing features either. It’s best to stick with colors that match your home’s interior, rather than adding something that stands out for all the wrong reasons.
Enhance Original Features
If you don’t want to replace what you already have, why not restore some original features? Updating old-fashioned or damaged staircases with a lick of paint will transform your hallway from gloom and doom to a place that’s inviting and welcoming. Restoring paneled doors, original fireplaces, and decorative moldings can be a good place to start.
Create More Space
The amount of storage space you have in your home should be one of your main priorities, especially if you plan on selling up. To lure potential buyers in, try and make use of every bit of space you have in the home, as well as building shelves or fitting doors to create some cupboards. There are various areas in the home that can be transformed into storage spaces, such as concealed nooks in corridors, under stairs space, as well as space in the attic which can be upgraded.
Add Solar Panels
If you live in a warmer state such as California, you may want to consider adding solar panels to your home. Semper Solaris provide solar installations in the bay area, which can be placed on your roof to reduce electricity bills, and overall household energy use. If you’re looking for the best solar companies in the bay area, you should consider checking out Semper Solaris. With San Francisco taking all the steps possible to be completely dependent on renewable energy, doing your bit and installing solar panels can not only be good for the environment, but increase the value of your home, making it more appealing to potential buyers.
Style It Up
You may not realize it, but a simple declutter or a lick of paint can potentially add 5-10% onto the value of your home. There are so many simple ideas that you can take onboard that can make a huge difference, such as adding wooden floors, repainting your home with neutral shades, decluttering to free up space, sanding down floorboards, cleaning your windows, or styling your furniture and adding flowers, lamps, and accessories around the property. There are lots of quick and easy jobs that you can do too, such as painting exterior woodwork, repairing windows and doors, as well as updating existing fixtures and furniture.
If you’re looking to move in the foreseeable future, getting started on home renovation work is a must. The size and overall condition of your home will play a major part when it comes to how long the project will take, but if you’re dead set on increasing the value of your home, there are various things that you will need to do.
Creating more space, updating existing furniture, remodeling rooms, replacing windows and doors, or even extending your property are just a few ways on how you can increase the value of your property. For viewers to be impressed from the get-go, it’s important that you pull out all the stops. If you aren’t the biggest fan of DIY, you may want to consider hiring outside help to get the job done. However you go about it, making small but subtle changes may be all it takes to improve the look and feel of your property, as well as increasing its value.
