5 Tips for Adding Value to your Home
1. Loft Conversion
If you have the option to extend upwards - don’t hold back, as extensions can add a substantial amount of value to your house. The majority of lofts can be converted, though it’s always best to get a builder’s opinion and investigate planning requirements before you buy a house with plans to add an additional bedroom. Adding an extra bedroom enables your home to be more flexible as your family grows, more so if you can squeeze in an en-suite bathroom at the same time.
2. Convert your Garage
In today’s society, very few people use their garage to keep a car in and if you’ve got an integral garage, it might be worth thinking about turning the space into a room instead. With this building already being a part of the land you own, you may not need planning permission, however, you should always check first, and any conversion will have to comply with building regulations.
3. Expand
They say that kitchens and bathrooms make the most impact when selling a home, so if you’re looking to make your home as desirable as possible, you might want to think about extending your kitchen.
This may include knocking through a wall to create an open-plan kitchen-diner or extending your existing kitchen with a single storey extension – even better if you have a walkway down one side of your house that isn’t needed. This often counts as 'permitted development', so doesn't often need planning permission, but you should always check with your local authority.
An additional way to create some more space is to add a conservatory, this can massively increase the value of your house.
4. Efficient Energy
This is an easy win, especially for older homes, as you might be eligible for a Government grant to make improvements. Typical ways to boost energy efficiency are to install double glazing, add cavity wall insulation, or fit solar panels and generate your own power.
5. Update the windows and doors
Bathrooms can make or break a sale, so if yours are in need of a tidy, it may be worth doing. You don’t have to rip everything out – simply replacing dated suites with clean, white modern pieces can give outdated bathrooms a real boost. Whatever you do try to keep in mind the type of person who will be buying your house in the future and how you can get the best value out of your home.