Posted on Monday, 2nd August 2021
The valuation of a property is a key moment for people putting their house on the market, so it’s only natural for owners to explore different ways of increasing the asking price when putting their home up for sale.
Below, we’ve listed ten things a homeowner can do on a variety of budgets to increase the value of their property and make it more appealing to prospective buyers.
An open plan living area can create a lot more space and light in a property than enclosed rooms and it is also much more practical for day to day living.
Remember to ensure that you make a thorough assessment before knocking anything down to ensure that you are not removing a supporting wall. Knocking down a supporting wall can be disastrous for the house and could result in thousands of pounds worth of damage. If in doubt, turn to an expert to complete the job.
Coverting your loft into useable space is a great way of maximising the value of a house. One of the main perks of a loft conversion is that it carries the same benefits of a full extension, but at a lower cost, and in many cases, it does not require planning permission.
Converting your loft will allow you to increase the number of bedrooms or add an office or games room without removing any, which can significantly impact the value of a house.
Converting a basement can also add significant value onto a property without having to increase the building’s footprint.
In some cases, a basement will not be suitable for a bedroom, but converting it will still allow you to increase liveable space or storage in the home, making the property more desirable and adding value.
When converting a loft or basement, some people may find that they temporarily lose storage space. Whilst you’re working on the conversion you can easily rent storage, whilst in the long term you can look to include cupboards units or hidden spaces so you’re not losing useful storage space.
Like bedrooms, the number of bathrooms in a property can also impact a property’s value.
En-suite bathrooms are incredibly desirable, especially for a master bedroom. Many older houses do not contain an en-suite, and they may also be without a downstairs toilet.
You can look to add an en-suite by slightly reducing the size of a bedroom and installing a small bathroom. This should only be done if the bedroom is fairly large, as making the master bedroom too small will have a negative impact on a property’s valuation.
For a downstairs loo, you can make the most of under-stairs cupboards which would otherwise be wasted space.
Owning an older home is not without its charms, but in many cases, people desire modern amenities to ensure that the house requires less maintenance and uses less energy.
Consider installing modern, double glazed windows and insulating the walls to create a more energy efficient property. You could also look to install modern electrical wiring and plumbing so that they require less maintenance.
Kitchens and bathrooms are vitally important to the desirability of a property, and if they look dated, they can make the home less appealing for prospective buyers.
Consider adding a lick of paint to freshen up the room and bring it up to date. You could also replace components, such as toilet seats or kitchen unit cupboards, if your budget does not extend to a full remodel. This will allow you to freshen up these key rooms and make the entire home more attractive.
It’s worth looking at your flooring and replacing any that looks damaged or dated.
Carpets especially can age badly and should be replaced if they are showing signs of wear and tear or discolouring.
Updating the flooring to create a new and modern look can give a room a new style, as well as being more appealing to prospective buyers.
If you have a larger budget and are looking to increase the size of a property, an extension could be a good option.
A conservatory or orangery is a good option if you’re looking to increase the amount of available living space, which could in turn allow you to convert other existing rooms into additional bedrooms.
Remember that you will likely need to apply for planning permission for any extension. It’s also a good idea to ask an estate agent for an estimate of how much value an extension would add to your property, which will help you gauge whether the project is worth the investment.
A simple, but important, point is to ensure that any outstanding issues in the home are fixed before the property is put on the market.
Problems like damp, mould or peeling paintwork will all detract from the overall value of the property and will also put off buyers who are not willing to undertake the required maintenance work.
You can get creative to increase the amount of storage in your home, even if you don’t have a suitable room to convert.
Look for areas of the house which are currently wasted space. These nooks and alcoves can be fitted with shelving or storage units to add character to your home, as well as making it more practical by increasing usable space.
For more information on how you can create storage solutions for your home, visit here.
