How to Add Value To Your Home: Three Simple Steps

Do you want to add value to your home without the stress, mess or costs that come with building an extension? Well, fear not, because although adding an extension is often the first thing that comes to mind, it is not the only way.

There are actually other quicker, simpler and more cost-effective ways of adding value to your property. These won’t only add to the value, but they will also make your house a nicer place to live for the duration you are there – you may even find yourself putting off the move!

So, here are three simple steps to add value to your home.

Step 1: The interior

You don’t need to make any huge changes to your interior to add value to your home – it could be as simple as giving it a refresh.

Your carpets, for example, have probably become worn and faded over the years, especially in the hallway and stairs, which you walk over the most and any stains can make your property look dated and create odours, if not removed.

Getting your carpets cleaned or changing them completely, will give your home a fresh, clean look and feel. Plus, there’s a good chance that you will see a 50% return on your investment as a result – bonus!

Likewise, give the walls a lick of paint, but keep colours neutral – you aren’t decorating to your taste, you are creating a space that someone else will be able to picture themselves living in.

Step 2: The exterior

When decorating or renovating a property it’s easy to focus mostly on the interior of your house but it’s important not to neglect the exterior. Curb appeal can not only enhance the value of the property but also attract potential buyers if it’s on the market.

After all, the outside is the first thing visitors will see, so update everything you can from fence panels to walls, garage and front doors. However, be sure to use specialist paint for these tasks – shop at Rawlins Paints to find exactly the right product for outdoor projects.

Don’t forget about the garden because this is a major part of that first impression. If it is messy and overgrown, then this is how house hunters may view your home.

Start by simply giving it a tidy – mow the lawn, cut back the bushes and throw out any rubbish. Then start planting and add in a few garden ornaments, like the quirky ones you can buy from notonthehighstreet.com. Create a space that is modern and welcoming because, with an 88% return on investment, this is actually the second best thing you can do to increase the value.

Step 3: Focus on the kitchen and bathroom

The kitchen is the heart of the home – we don’t just cook and eat in it anymore, it is the place where the family gather for a cup of tea to discuss their day, or friends sit to gossip over a bottle of wine.

Therefore it is probably one of the first places a buyer would look to update – so, if you are only going to update one room – make sure it is this one! This could be a complete renovation, or simply an update of cupboards (try painting wooden cupboards while for a fresh new look) and counters or installing modern appliances. Research by HSBC has found that a new kitchen can add at least £5,000 to a property’s price.

Next, move on to the bathroom – again this doesn’t have to be a complete renovation – it is actually the little things that will make a big difference! Add in a larger showerhead, swap the shower curtain for a glass screen or door, and update the taps – how about this wall mounted waterfall bath filler – for something stylish, but a bit different! These changes won’t cost you much time or money, but it will add 2.88% onto the house value!

So, put away that planning application form and start shopping for taps, paint and garden ornaments – you will be surprised how quickly and easily it will add a significant amount of value to your house!

(Images courtesy of Pixabay, via Midascode, Giovannaorlando and ErikaWittlieb)

(Disclosure: This is a collaborative post)

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