Moving to a brand new home is an exciting prospect for many of us. However, raising enough cash to do so can be a daunting challenge. Your home is your biggest investment and making a few well-placed improvements can seriously bolster its market value. Just think, if you’re smart about this, you could raise enough money to buy your new home, with a little pocket change left over to spend on any future projects.
Want to know how to do this? Then, you’re in luck! We’ve curated a list of our top 10 value-boosting projects that can help you tap into your property’s hidden potential.
Resolve Any Structural Issues
If you put your home up for sale with unresolved structural issues, it’s unlikely that it’ll command the optimal selling price. Before you put your home on the market, make sure that the following issues have been addressed:
First and foremost, you should ensure that the roof is in a satisfactory condition. Even minor cosmetic concerns such as a loose tile here and there can affect how would-be buyers perceive the property.
Other issues you should address include wall and ceiling cracks, mold and damp, leaning chimneys and exterior wall cracks. Nipping these problems in the bud can have a far greater impact on your home’s value and saleability than other more superficial changes.
Even if these issues aren’t visually apparent, most prospective buyers will arrange a property survey, which will uncover the full extent of any structural issues that are present. If the survey reveals unexpected issues, the buyer may lower their offer, or worst yet, withdraw it entirely.
Replace Your Windows
Now, take a look at your home’s windows. Are they starting to look tired and worn out? Perhaps it’s time to have them replaced. Dull, dated windows can add many years to the perceived age of any property.
New windows come in a whole host of designs and configurations, such as flush-fit, reversible and tilt-and-turn. And, no matter whether you have a contemporary, traditional or rural aesthetic in mind, you’re bound to find something that suits your requirements. Not only that, modern windows provide superior energy efficiency compared to their older counterparts.
Consider this from a homebuyers’ perspective: a property with brand new windows is always desirable, as they won’t need to be replaced for many years to come.
Upgrade Your Bathroom
When it comes to giving your bathroom a makeover, you don’t necessarily need to break the bank and invest in an all-new suite. If you only have a modest budget to play with, making just a few clever enhancements can do the trick. Try repainting it in a more contemporary colour scheme, replacing the taps and scouring away the dirt and grime.
Oh, and one more thing … if your bathroom is home to any relics such as shag carpeting and avocado basins – they need to go!
Repaint the Walls
A drab, outmoded colour scheme can bring any home down in visitors’ estimation. Fortunately, this can easily be fixed. You can easily change up your home’s colour scheme without spending too much.
Aside from bringing the look of your property up to date, a fresh colour scheme can also make it appear lighter. Opt for colour schemes incorporating pale blues, greys or shades such as Light Terracotta and Sunny Yellow and make dreary decor a thing of the past.
Apply for Planning Permission
Even if the renovation projects you have planned require no special permissions, it’s still worth obtaining planning permission from your local council if you can.
Planning permission is a great selling point. Just think, prospective buyers will have the assurance that they have the green light to make structural changes to the property. Planning permission can usually be arranged quickly and easily – and could be a factor in securing the sale of your home!
Re-tile Your Driveway
Take a look at your driveway. Is it cracked, dilapidated and overrun with weeds? If so, it will leave prospective buyers with a negative impression before they even reach the front door.
The simple act of reaching for the pressure washer and giving the tiles a thorough blast can sometimes leave driveways looking like new.
However, if you’re still left staring at the ruins of a once-great driveway, then there’s no other option than to have it professionally re-tiled. And, while this represents a significant cash investment, we think you’ll agree that the difference in how your home is perceived is well worth it.
Sort Out the Garden
Gardens always place highly homebuyers’ wishlists. Gardens that are properly maintained place higher still! Think about it – few homebuyers want to inherit a project. If the garden’s already in great shape, then that’s a major plus point.
So, prior to arranging any viewings, don your garden gloves, tackle the weeds, tend to the flowerbeds – and give that weary shed a new coat of paint. Your garden provides a golden opportunity to impress viewers, so make sure it doesn’t disappoint.
Add Under-stair Storage
Under-stair storage solutions can make it so much easier to keep your home neat and tidy. If your home features a staircase, this space can be utilised for storage closets, sideboards, shelves or bookcases. You can even convert the stairs themselves into drawers for storage.
With just a few clever under-stair storage compartments in place, toys, umbrellas, books, shoes – and just about anything else that usually clutters up homes can be stored away quickly and easily.
Build a Home Office
Last year, most of us spent more time at home and many businesses deemed remote working a success. As such, garden offices are now highly prized by many modern professionals.
While the decision to build a garden office should never be taken lightly (this project may set you back £5,000-£20,000) if you invest wisely, you can create a comfortable office space that meets most professionals’ requirements.
A brand new home office is sure to be a major draw for any home-working professionals in need of a space to escape the chaos of a busy family home!
Declutter
The last project on our list requires minimal investment and yet can make a huge difference when it comes to your home’s perceived value and saleability. All you need is bin bags, rubber gloves and a good amount of elbow grease. Now, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get ready for a good old-fashioned clearout.
Bag up and bin anything that’s no longer of value or use to you. Who knows, you may unearth a hidden treasure or two that you can sell on for a profit! If you’ve amassed lots of clutter over the years, it may be worth hiring a skip to make it easier to get rid of it all.
Once you’re finished, we think you’ll agree it was well worth the effort. A clutter-free home can look so much more clean and spacious – and this could well be the deciding factor for the future buyer of your home.
Thank You for Reading and Happy Selling
We hope you found our article useful and now have oodles of inspiration for how to bolster your home’s market value. No matter what projects you ultimately decide on, we wish you the very best of luck with the sale of your home!
