Home Improvements To Increase Your Homes Market Value Read more

Home improvements are still a great national hobby, if not an obsession. With so many home owners in the UK, there’s not surprisingly plenty of pride and interest in upgrading and updating our properties.

Whether it’s to live in ourselves or buy, do up and sell on at a profit, home improvements can undoubtedly add value to a property.

But what are the best things you can do to your property to boost its asking price and encourage buyers through the door?

Easy Ways to Improve Your Kitchen

As the way we live has changed, the kitchen has become the most important room in the home. But even if your kitchen doesn’t quite have top-range appeal there are still things you can do to add value without going to the expense of installing a new kitchen.

One of the easiest things you can do is to update your appliances. Going for new models with designer features and finishes and incorporating the latest technology will help give your kitchen more of a high-end feel. Stainless steel or professional quality appliances are worth considering if you are going for a really good finish.

You can dramatically change the look of your kitchen by updating the cabinets. If the doors are tired then replace them, or even just paint them. Upgrade laminate doors to real wooden ones to add quality. Something as simple as changing the handles on your doors and drawers can also make a difference.

Your work surface can really lift – or let down – your kitchen. If you have laminate then consider swapping it for real wood, or for real glamour go for granite, concrete or corian. Composite worktops that are a mix of granite and resin are also a good option.

With your countertops, don’t stop at the kitchen. If you have these surfaces in any bathrooms or utility rooms then consider upgrading there too.

Old taps can quickly date a kitchen or bathroom so change them for taps in a higher-end material and look for features such as a sink sprayer. You can even install a tap that provides instant boiling water.

When it comes to flooring, you’ll find wood, natural stone, concrete and tiles in the most stylish homes. They’re expensive but instantly give your property a more luxurious feel. Top-quality carpet is fine but a cheap carpet will quickly look shabby and vinyl is also to be avoided.

Improving Other Rooms in Your Home

The master bedroom of any home is also a very important room. In our increasingly busy lives, we all want somewhere to retreat to at the end of the day. Expansive fitted wardrobes or a walk-in wardrobe if possible are vital. Use lighting to create the right ambiance and style.

If you have an en-suite bathroom then go for an all-out upgrade to really give it the wow factor. If you have the room then install a separate shower and bath, both to a high specification. The flooring and tiling should also be top-end to help create that home spa feel.

With the emphasis today on home entertainment, it’s well worth considering adding a sound system. You can install it in every room in the house if required and it’s easily managed using a remote control. Home theatres are also increasingly sought after.

A garage is an asset for any home. Make sure yours is usable and not filled with junk. Install lighting and add shelving to capitalise on its storage benefits.

Storage space is important inside too. Everyone needs plenty of space to properly store their belongings. Maximise cupboard space and if you have a loft, floor it and provide easy access with a pull-down ladder. Fitted wardrobes in bedrooms are also very desirable.

A home with environmentally friendly credentials – and therefore cheaper running costs – can help to secure a sale. Solar panels, double or triple glazing, an efficient central heating system and even underfloor heating will all appeal to buyers.

Looking Good from the Outside

If you are replacing and improving your windows go for a style that fits in with the age of your home. In older properties, wood is preferable using to UPVC and it looks far more appealing too.

Presenting a well-maintained home is important when selling so make sure your property is in tip-top condition.

It’s absolutely vital that the roof is sound – most buyers will be put off if there is any hint of a problem due to the potential expense of fixing it. Before you put your home on the market, get the roof inspected to avoid any nasty surprises when a potential buyer gets their survey done.

Get a guarantee for any repairs that are carried out and consider replacing your roof if it is old or in bad condition.

Of course, all of these improvements may not count for very much if your home looks shabby and untidy from the street. Instant kerb appeal is vital so make sure the grounds and drive are clean and well kept.

Remember, when carrying out work on your property, it is vital that you inform your insurer before, during and after the work has been done.

Depending on what work has been done this may affect your buildings insurance premium.

Article by Chris Rowlands