If you’re thinking about selling your home within the next year or so, there are a few home improvements you can make which will really help add value to your property. From major structural changes to simple design techniques, here are some top tips for all budgets.

Build an extension

As Bow estate agent Peach Properties points out, “It’s a well- known fact than house hunters list plenty of space as one of their biggest requirements, so if your home is on the small side, an extension is a great way to make it more appealing.” There are major cost implications (the average extension costs around £1,200 per square metre) and it’s a disruptive experience that can be hard to live with. But with an added value of around 11%, it’s an investment worth considering.

Build a loft conversion

In terms of major renovations, loft conversions are generally seen as the best way to add value to your home. At around £30,000 to £40,000 for a good loft conversion this isn’t a move that should be taken lightly, but once it’s complete it can add a whopping 21% to the value of your home.

Convert a room into a new bedroom

Lots of houses have unused rooms like utilities and studies which do little more than gather dust and house junk. Battersea estate agent Eden Harper says, “Converting one of these into an extra bedroom can add up to 11% to your home’s value, and without major structural changes this is an appealing option.”

Create an open plan living space

Open plan living is a trend that has become increasingly popular over recent years. Natural light and plenty of space are two of the main things that house hunters look for, and kitchen-diners have seemed a real revival over the past decade. Zoned areas work best to keep a flow throughout the property, and decent storage is a must if you want to keep things looking neat and tidy. Knocking down walls is never a job you should do without a professional, and you’ll be looking at a few hundred pounds to open up your living space.

Add a parking space

Not having a proper place to park the car can be a major bug bear for home buyers, so if you have the space, adding a parking space can increase your property’s value by around 11%. You can expect to pay anything between £8,000 and £25,000 to have a professional parking bay or garage built so it’s far from a minor investment- but when you consider the fact that it can make or break your sale it’s well worth thinking about.

Revamp the bathroom

A 1970s olive green bathroom suite is a sure fire way to put off your buyers, so investing in a good quality white suite can instantly boost your home’s saleability. If you want to invest in a really luxurious suite you’ll be looking at thousands, but you can easily pick up a decent one for around £500. At an added value of around 6%, this is one of the most popular options with sellers.

Tidy up the garden

It’s great if your house looks like a show home on the inside, but if the garden is shabby chances are your potential buyers will have already made their minds up before taking a step indoors. First impressions are really important, so make sure your garden is tidy, inviting and well thought out. Space for entertaining is a real bonus, and you can easily revamp your front garden for less than £50 with a few hanging baskets and a splash of fresh paint.

Decorate

Presentation is everything, so if your paintwork is old and tired it can really put off potential buyers. For less than £200 you should be able to buy enough paint and equipment to spruce up the whole house- remember neutral tones are always best when it comes to universal appeal and reflecting natural light.

Add new kitchen units

A refitted kitchen isn’t one of the cheapest home improvements you can make (you can usually expect to spend between £10,000 ad £20,000 for a brand new kitchen) but it can instantly add value of around 7%. Williams Lynch advises, “Keep it fresh, neutral and don’t go for anything too out there in terms of design- buyers are usually looking for a blank canvas they can add their own personal stamp to.”

Author

  1. avatar
    Michael McFadyen