Your home is one of your most important capital assets. The more valuable it becomes, the more lucrative a financial prospect it will turn out to be. Real-estate agents have a lot of respect for ‘curb appeal’ that woo potential buyers. From an extensive overhaul to a lick of paint, there are many ways to increase home value. Transform the exterior and the interior of your property with upgrades for an improved outlook and interior that helps potential buyers to visualise their dream home.
Structural Integrity
It goes without saying that rising damp or sagging roofs are deal-breakers. Despite the size and style of your home, a structurally sound and intact house always wins over one with defects. Structural issues can considerably reduce your asking price, and you will end up having to accept a lower price or pay for the repairs. It is the first thing to consider when you want to sell your home. Start with the roof by fixing leaks, damaged or missing tiles, replacing rotten joists or roof timbers, and re-constructing unstable chimney stacks. Inspect for insect infestation, rebuild bowing walls, and relay collapsing floors, and fix loose floorboards.
Updating the wiring and plumbing of the house is a plus. Consider replacing your old fuse box with an up-to-date consumer unit that has fixed RCD protection. Add extra sockets and modern switches. Old plumbing systems can be noisy and have poor performance in producing hot and cold water. A pressurised plumbing system is more advanced than a gravity-fed one. It does not take up space for a header tank and ensures consistent hot and cold water pressures. You can still have the option for stored hot water if you have space for a cylinder. You can also opt for a combination boiler that offers hot water on demand. However, you need at least 10 litres a minute flow rate for a decent power shower.
Refurbish Interior
The simplest way to freshen up an interior is to paint. Although it is the simplest, the wrong colour palette can spoil an otherwise pleasant space. Using neutral tones enhances the appearance of the rooms. Extend the paint treatment to tired-looking kitchen cabinets to spruce them up. Add new fixtures. Swap your old and unappealing doorknobs, handles, and lighting for new and improved ones. Modern kitchen and bathroom fittings add a touch of elegance. Decorative chandeliers and mood lighting can become eye candy. A new quartz or granite kitchen countertop, sanded wooden flooring, reopened fireplaces, and replacing or modifying windows can contribute to a higher property value when selling your house.
Home Extensions and Conversions
House extensions can add up to 20% to the value of your home. An extra bedroom, storage space, or an open-plan kitchen draws in buyers. A loft conversion is retro-build friendly and a good home improvement for houses with large attics. House extensions, garage conversions, and basement conversions increase living space and let you incorporate contemporary styles and comfort to a home. Buyers prefer properties with the enhanced square footage as it saves them the trouble of planning permission details and construction work. The ready-to-live-in appeal is a selling point.
Enhance curb appeal
Your garden, if you have one, makes first of the first impressions. Landscaping is the most cost-effective method to create instant curb appeal. Pull out the pesky weeds, trim your shrubs, and introduce eye-catching potted plants for a pop of colour. Ditch plastic pots and use ceramic or terra cotta.
Your front door is a big player in the first impression department. Give it a new shine with a fresh coat of paint and polished handle. Attach a sophisticated door knocker for the extra oomph.
Add a Garden Office
Anyone self-employed, working remotely, or has a lot of take-home work will appreciate this addition. You can design a stunning garden office that complements your property and make it a unique and creative highlight that sits hidden or flauntingly in a remote corner of your garden.
Upgrade heating and cooling systems
An outdated heating system can put off buyers. Central heating is a pull factor – it shows up on the Home Report. More people want energy-efficient performance in heating and cooling systems for their homes. However, spend only in conjunction with the house value.
Add a Conservatory
Nothing spells out stylish extra space than a sunlit conservatory. It can add up to 10% to the house value. The cost of building one far outweighs the value it adds. However, make sure to use thermal efficiency and durable material in construction. A low-quality conservatory or garden room with a haphazard design can have the opposite effect of impressing house-hunters.
Energy-efficient
It is the term that defines the future. From double-glazing to LED lighting, there are numerous ways to fill the energy-efficiency gaps of a home. Installing boilers, heaters, solar panels, and appliances with energy-efficiency certificates is worth the effort.
Home improvements are not just about aesthetics or making your home life comfortable. They all add to the value of your home, which is why you should get serious about each one, so they will have a professional finish you can show off. Contact GS Brown Construction for renovations and extensions that enhance your home’s value and appeal in one.
