If you’re wanting to invest in your property, whether to sell soon or later down the line, you’re in the right place! This could be because you’ve got extra cash from a side hustle or freelance work, or you’ve just been saving and want to make positive improvements. We’re here with four ways that you can maximise the value of your property, with some more affordable and other more substantial options, depending on your budget. Invest in your home now and you’ll reap the rewards in the future!
Improve The Energy Efficiency
Firstly, one of the best things you can do is improve the energy efficiency of your home. Not only will you be saving money whilst you’re still in the property, but when you do get to selling, properties with a focus on being energy efficient are generally worth more. There are so many different things you can do here, however we’re going to cover a few of the main ones:
Consider replacing windows and doors with double or triple glazing options
Improve insulation, including exterior wall, floor, loft and conservatory insulation
Replace appliances with more efficient choices, including your boiler
Draught proof your home, including resealing windows and doors if you aren’t replacing
Upgrade to LED lighting
Get a smart metre so you know which appliances are using the most energy
Consider solar panels as a fantastic investment
Modernise Your Kitchen
One of the main things that people look at when they're purchasing a property is the kitchen. If it’s really old and drab, then many people will be put off, as they know how significant a kitchen renovation can be in terms of cost. However, you can invest a small amount in refreshing the space to transform it without replacing everything, to drive up the value without spending much. Here are a few ways you can do it:
Remove kitchen cupboards, sand them and paint them a neutral colour
Replace hardware with more modern versions
Paint the space a nice light colour, like an off-white or other neutral shade
Replace worktops (you can get good quality, cheap options from places like Ikea)
Remove old tiles and either re-tile or sand, plaster and paint
Add floating shelves, this is cheap but looks highly effective
Potentially change your sink, especially if the tap is a bit faulty or ruins the aesthetic
Consider integrating the appliances by adding more cupboard doors to cover the dishwasher, washing machine etc.
Add A Loft Conversion
A great way to add value to your property is to add an extra room, and if you want to do this without doing a full extension, then you could look at a loft conversion. They can add up to 20% to the value of your home which is extremely significant. You could create an additional bedroom with an ensuite if your plumbing will work okay, or you could just create a bedroom with nice built-in wardrobes, then you could turn another small bedroom into an additional bathroom.
Many loft conversions look stunning when there is a wall between a bedroom and bathroom to provide some separation but no full wall and door, so it’s quite open plan, often with a nice freestanding bath to go with it, too. If you’re not wanting to move for a while but need extra space, this will make such a great improvement to your life without the pressure and stress of a full extension or moving. Depending how much you’re wanting to spend, you could also add a large window to the space that overlooks the garden and adds a real luxury feel to the space.
Rectify Any Structural Issues
One of the major stress points when it comes to selling your house is if structural issues are identified when the surveys are being done on the house. This can cause large disputes and result in offers being significantly lower than you’d expect, as the work would need to be carried out when the new owners move in. So, the best thing you can do is to resolve them now, to maximise the value of your home and ensure the issues don’t get any worse. Here are the main things to look at in terms of structural issues:
Any leaky or sagging roofs, whether it’s adding a tile roof for conservatory or repairing the main roof
Identify and resolve any rising damp
Repair structural cracks anywhere in the house
Repair bowing walls
Ensure there are no rotten roof timbers or joists
Any condensation, damp and black mould throughout the house
Exposed gaps between walls
Subsidence in the structure
Foundation cracks
Final Thoughts
If you’ve got some money to invest, and want to improve the conditions of your home whilst you’re living in it whilst also bearing in mind improved value for the future, then implement some of these changes! You’ll thank yourself for it in the future and you’ll also enjoy your home to its full potential whilst you’re still in it.