Simple renovations that will increase your property value dramatically

If you want to build or move into your dream home you need to know how to maximise the value of your current property. It’s not just about cosmetic enhancements such as updating living areas or fitting a new kitchen — you need to consider basic structural renovations too.

Upgrade your furniture

Renovating your property can be an expensive project, and it can be a struggle to build up a big budget for your home. Upgrading your furniture is often the healthiest option for your wallet to appeal to buyers and update your living spaces.

New furniture can liven up any living area – even if it’s a small piece. Switching out a dull armchair for a bold solid or stunning print accent chair can make a huge difference. The difference can turn a boring piece of furniture into a great statement piece. New furniture can be expensive so unless you’re comfortable making a big investment stick with something smaller like a tub chair or side table as opposed to a new bed.

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Convert your loft

A loft conversion is typically cheaper than the option of an extension. In terms of adding value, it is likely to be a very good investment providing it adds more accommodation than it takes away. Remember you need to make room for a full staircase that complies with health and safety laws as this will take up existing space on your landing.

You should check first of all that the roof space can be converted, and most importantly cost effectively. There needs to be plenty of headroom, especially if your potential buyer is tall, and the roof structure needs to be built sufficiently using cut roof timbers or attic trusses.

All loft conversions must comply with the latest building regulations and this means adding a lot of insulation between the roof timbers, and also underneath the trusses. Good natural light can be brought into your conversion using either roof lights or dormer windows. A loft conversion does not require planning permission as it uses existing volume.

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Clean your house now for profits later

A deep clean around the home can make a huge difference to the overall appeal and value. Consider cleaning every nook and cranny you can find as any potential buyer will no doubt by inspecting every inch of your home for issues, so don’t give them a reason! Start from the top and work your way down is sound advice you should follow, as there’s no point vacuuming before you dust surfaces!

Move your furniture around or consider moving all of your furniture outside of the home (if your doorways allow it) so you can have ease of access while cleaning, especially the floors. If you have carpet running through your home consider consulting a professional carpet cleaner to freshen up your flooring so it looks brand new. Hygienic flooring can make or break a sale.

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Buy a better kitchen

An attractive, hygienic looking kitchen is essential both to buyers and valuations. Before replacing a kitchen, consider the fundamentals such as the room shape and decide if you are going to make any structural changes to the kitchen space.

Many existing kitchens can be given a new lease of life with a small investment. An attractive range style cooker is also a feature that will attract many buyers. Flooring should look hygienic, be easy to clean and well fitted, as should splash back tiles and the rest of the decor. Replacing kitchen cupboard doors and work surfaces is a very cost-effective way to update a kitchen ready for potential buyers. Or if you’d rather start fresh with your kitchen space consult a range of kitchen suppliers. Many offer a design service for free so make good use of it.

Make sure there is always room for a washing machine, tumble dryer and fridge. Ideally go for integrated white goods, as they look much neater. A new kitchen can be bought for as little as $3000 plus fitting for a smaller space. Of course, with any size property it is worth investing more in better quality units and appliances to increase the property value.

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Add value with a bathroom

Bathrooms need to be fresh and hygienic looking, so make sure there is adequate light and paint the walls a nice neutral light shade ideally a white. If there is not enough light, replace a single pendant with a triple LED spotlight unit, available for as little as $10.

The bathroom is the ideal place to add a touch of luxury and a real wow factor that will add a lot of value. Make sure that one bathroom has a shower – it is an essential for almost all buyers.

Flooring should be clean and hygienic, carpet is a massive no and is not really suitable for bathrooms. Go for a vinyl or floor tiles and If you need to replace wall tiles, you could tile over the old ones as removing them can be a difficult and very time-consuming job.

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Add a conservatory

A conservatory can add far more to the value of a property than it costs, providing it is designed, built and integrated into the layout of the house well. Subsequently, a poorly constructed conservatory can subtract from the value of a property. The additional floor area needs to add functionality to the existing layout of the house, and above all else, it must feel like a part of the rest of the home and not a random add-on.

A basic conservatory can cost around $6 – 15,000 to build. In most instances, it will not require planning permission, although it will need to comply with the Building Regulations. The conservatory needs to be oriented so it faces south to ensure it gains the most heat. A conservatory should be never be built north facing. Space must be heated so that it is usable all year round which is an attractive quality. Equally importantly, your space must be well ventilated to prevent it from suffering from condensation or overheating.

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Make your property eco–friendly

1. Replace your old light bulbs. Incandescent light bulbs waste up to 90% of energy as heat. New types of light bulbs, such as LED bulbs, can dramatically slash your house’s energy consumption for light. In most cases, you don’t have to do a thing to your existing light fixtures. Just buy different bulbs and swap them out!
2. Insulate lofts and basements. A lot of energy can slip out through your loft and basement. Insulating these spaces can reduce your home’s energy consumption for a more Eco-friendly home. It can also cut your heating bills by making it easier to maintain a steady temperature inside.
3. Install a thermostat. A programmable thermostat can cleverly monitor house temperature, keeping it warmer or colder when you’re not at home. For example, if you’re at work during the day, a programmable thermostat can keep the house colder during the day and turn on the heating when you get home.

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Improve Your Home’s Exterior

1. Windows. Windows look dreadful when they are dirty, so make sure yours are cleaned regularly and especially before viewings. Rotten window frames are also unacceptable and if you’re putting in new frames, make sure they match with the design of the rest of the house.
2. Painting. If your home has painted brickwork, it won’t stay looking good forever because the weather will take its toll. The easiest way to give the home’s exterior a new look is to paint it, using a high-quality masonry paint. Even if you’re happy with the existing colour on the walls, repainting it can work wonders and will give your house a fresh look.
3. Add a porch. Another good way to improve the exterior of your home, especially if it’s plain and lacking a little charm, is to add a front porch. The porch should, of course, be in keeping with the style of your home and needn’t be an elaborate change. A porch can add a great deal of character to the property.

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Add features

One or two real wow factor features can be really memorable to potential buyers and set your home apart from others for sale in the area. Adding a feature will add a significant increase to your sale price. Many simple features can be added easily and are affordable to carry out.

Adding a feature can be as simple as installing a wooden deck, a built-in wardrobe or a focal working fireplace. If you have a large master bedroom why not perhaps install exposed roof timbers. If your living area is quite traditional adding paneling to the walls can make a stunning feature. Better yet a built-in range cooker in the kitchen is a feature many buyers would like.

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Create an off street space for parking

No one likes parking their car on the street or road and having a drive or space for cars away from the road can make a big difference to the value of a property. This particularly important if your in a location where residential parking is restricted.

Creating one or two parking spaces close to the property can add significant value, and sacrificing a front garden space is very much worth it for many buyers. A low maintenance gravel drive is more lucrative than a garden they never use, especially if the house is located on a main road.

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Repair structural problems

Small superficial problems do not always affect the value of the property as many buyers are prepared to fix and change a few minor issues. However, small structural issues can prevent your home selling for its optimum price. The below are typical problems which can easily be fixed to prevent buyers being put off:

• Broken Roof Tiles
• Damp Areas
• Structural Cracks
• Bowing Walls
• Rotten joints or roof timbers
• Loose Tiles
• Collapsed Floor / Slab
• Plumbing
• Peeling paint
• Squeaking or sticking doors and windows
• Sewage smells
• Squeaky floors and stairs

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Ensure your home has adequate heating

Because many places often have unpredictable weather, having the right heating for your home is definitely a priority, as is essential for any buyer. Most of us have homes connected to mains gas, especially in towns and cities, and adding or updating the central heating system will always add more to the value of a property than it costs. It will be considered an essential by most buyers and property estimators.

Ways to add heating to your home:

• Underfloor heating
• Radiator heating
• Insulation
• Central heating

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Update services

Electricity:

• Updating the electrics may be essential if the house is somewhat old and has not been rewired for a fair few years. If you feel your home needs rewiring ready to put on the market consult a professional electrician to evaluate and carry out the work for you. Always put safety first.
• Adding extra plug sockets will also add value to your home and in useful and appropriate spaces, such as next to beds or near TV’s.

Plumbing:

• Old pipework can be very unpredictable, leading to poor hot and cold water flow, rattling sounds and often it can lead to burst pipes. Consider installing a pressurised plumbing system, rather than gravity fed.

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Renovate the garden

An attractive and well-designed garden space can add a great deal of value to your home as well as making it more attractive to buyers. Privacy is vital to many home buyers and improving the feeling of seclusion will add much more value, as no ones wants to feel on display in their own home!

Consider adding tall fences and even shrubs and trees. Create distinct areas for a certain function such as garden benches, grass area, and often or not space for storage like a shed. Wooden decking, though appealing, can sometimes limit a buyers perception of the amount of usable living space, so make sure your decking is cleverly designed.

Make sure you carry out a basic garden tidy up. Clean up any rubble and dead plants, tend to the grass and weed the pavement. Most importantly add some colour and interest with plants.

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Add more storage space

Storage space is a real selling point and a lack of storage can really put buyers off and hinder your properties value. Make use of every bit of spare living space you can find and create cupboards or fit storage shelving. Look for:

• Concealed nooks in rooms or hallways
• Dead space either side of chimney breasts
• Under stairs space
• Space in the loft or basement
• Good use of ottoman furniture
• Unused wall space for mounted cupboards

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Make your property stand out from the rest

Making your property more attractive even just cosmetically than the rest of neighboring houses can add more interest drastically. Of course, providing the house is structurally stable and in a good condition the sale price will be considerably higher. Just by styling the outside of your home and updating the inside can make a huge difference to your properties value.

More simple ideas that will increase your home’s value include:

• Add wooden flooring
• Repainting throughout in neutral shades – blank canvas!
• Restoring period features
• Decluttering & deep cleaning
• Upgrade the lighting
• Clean the exterior, windows, frames etc.
• A makeover to the kitchen and bathrooms
• Creating storage space
• Styling throughout with tasteful furniture, lighting and accessories

For more great renovation ideas, visit Sloane & Sons Stylish Chairs.

Story by: Anna Sharples