Whether you are looking to put your home on the market in the near future or you simply want to choose to make improvements to your property that will be worth the investment, there are many ways that you can add value to your home.
From utilizing the latest smart technology to making your property more energy-efficient to upgrading the most important rooms, keep reading to discover five foolproof ways that you can increase the value of your home in 2021 and beyond.
Plus, discover which home upgrades you should avoid if you don’t want to be left out of pocket.
Ways to Add Value to Your New Home
Install Double Glazing
If your property does not already have double glazed windows or your existing double glazing is looking a little worse for wear, this should be one of the first home improvements that you look to make.
Not only will brand new double glazed windows increase your property’s overall kerb appeal, but they will also make your home more energy-efficient and significantly reduce your annual energy bill.
The cost of double glazing can range anywhere from £500 to £3,000 per window, depending on the window in question’s size, style, and the material you choose. That being said, if your home improvement budget is already looking a little stretched, you will be happy to hear that there is help available from Double Glazing Funding. Enabling you to save up to 30% on your annual energy bills and covering the cost of the windows themselves and their installation, you can find out if you are eligible for funding via the website with no obligations and no upfront fees.
Add Smart Features
Smart homes are becoming increasingly popular in the UK, offering households the opportunity to streamline household tasks such as turning on the lights, locking the doors, and turning on the heating.
In terms of which smart features to add to your home for maximum return on investment, a good place to start is with smaller devices that are inexpensive to purchase, such as smart plugs, smart light bulbs, and smart thermostats.
Another area of smart technology which is proving to be popular with home buyers is the market of smart security systems. Wi-fi security cameras may not seem like a huge selling point, but they can be highly useful when it comes to creating automated routines designed to deter burglars.
Don’t forget to also invest in a smart speaker which will help to connect all your home’s smart devices together.
Focus on the Kitchen and Bathroom
If you do not have enough money to completely renovate your home, then you should focus your efforts on the two most important rooms in your property: the kitchen and the main bathroom.
In terms of what potential buyers look for in a new home, studies have shown time and time again that the kitchen is the most important factor when it comes to first impressions of a property. Therefore, if your kitchen is looking a little outdated or in need of some TLC, then you need to inject some cash into it ASAP.
For those that cant’ afford a new kitchen refurbish, there are many tried and tested techniques to brighten up a kitchen that will not break the bank. These include replacing the cabinet doors, painting the walls in a fresh color, and purchasing matching appliances.
Once your kitchen is looking its best again, now is the time to turn your focus to the main bathroom. Again, you don’t need to spend a fortune to update the bathroom in your home. Instead, focus on painting the walls, updating the flooring if needed, and investing in clever storage solutions.
Replace your Front Door
As mentioned briefly above, kerb appeal is vital when it comes to selling your home, with one of the most important factors in your property’s exterior appearance being its front door. In fact, replacing your front door is one of the most cost-effective ways to add value to your home.
As well as having the ability to make your home look more aesthetically pleasing, a new front door offers so many more benefits, including enhanced security and improved energy efficiency.
If you are not sure if your front door needs replacing or not, the below signs indicate that it is time for an upgrade:
- There is space under or around your door
- Your door is damaged
- The lock is not working as it should
- The door is hard to open
- Your energy bills are rising
Create an Open Plan Living Space
According to Which?, adding a new open plan kitchen to your property could add up to 6% to the value of your property at a cost of around £8,000. Furthermore, for homes where space is an issue, an open plan layout can create the illusion of a bigger and lighter living space, something which most home buyers are looking for.
To make any structural changes to make your home, you will need to enlist the services of a structural engineer to avoid any costly mistakes. Plus, you will need a certificate of compliance for any work done if you sell your home.
Home improvements to avoid
There are certain home improvements that are costly to make, but that won’t add much value to your property. These include:
- An overly large bathroom – you are better off adding an extra bedroom.
- A loft conversion – surveyors often find problems with loft conversions that can delay a sale.
- Hobby rooms such as a home gym or home theatre – although you may have always wanted to tailor a room to your own bespoke needs, not everyone will see the benefits. Again, it is a better idea to add an additional bedroom.
- A conservatory – expensive to install and often underused, a conservatory can suffer from a lack of purpose for many potential buyers.
- Ambiguous landscaping – although a well-maintained garden is a must, elaborate landscaping will not add value to your home and could put off buyers that want low maintenance outside space.
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