Ask a homeowner to name the biggest obstacles preventing them from moving up the property ladder – and there’s a good chance they’ll cite a lack of capital. Indeed, raising enough cash to buy a brand new home is no mean feat.
If you’re struggling to save enough to buy your dream house, you’re not alone. But, have you considered that the key to bolstering your finances may lie within your current property? It’s true, by making a few well-placed improvements, you can quickly ramp up your home’s value.
But, where should you focus your efforts to best optimise your home’s value? To help you decide, we’ve put together a list of 10 value-enriching projects to help your property stand out! Let’s get started, shall we?
Spruce Up Your Driveway
When it comes to impressing prospective buyers, making a positive first impression is key. With this in mind, it’s important to consider what they will see before they step inside the property:
Prior to examining the house and its decor, they’ll have to walk across the driveway, so make sure it’s looking great to ensure things get off to a favourable start. To achieve a pristine driveway, you should invest in a supply of good quality block pave sealer.
A powerful pave sealer can help to prevent unwanted contaminants such as dirt, grease, oil and water from getting into your paving. It can also add a pleasing glossy finish to your paving and enhance its colour!
You should also pressure wash your driveway on a regular basis to keep stubborn dirt and grime at bay.
Attend to Any Structural Issues
Now, it’s time to turn your attention to the building itself. Before you think about putting your home on the market, you should examine its condition and structural integrity, as these factors will almost certainly affect the potential asking price.
Prior to committing to a sale, most potential buyers will arrange a property survey, which will highlight any current or developing structural issues. Some structural problems may cause buyers to lower (or worse yet, rescind) their offer, so it’s important that everything is in order.
First and foremost, make sure that the roof is in a reasonable condition. Purely cosmetic concerns such as loose titles can adversely affect buyers’ perceptions. You should also tackle issues such as damp, mold and cracks on the walls and ceilings.
This is one of the most important items on our list. Attending to structural problems should be a higher priority than making superficial changes, as this will have a much bigger impact on your home’s value.
Replace your Windows
Take a good look at your home’s windows. If they are damaged, or simply starting to show their age, it’s worth thinking about replacing them. Tired windows can add years to the appearance of just about any property.
Besides looking great, modern windows considerably outperform their predecessors in the energy efficiency stakes. So, you’ll be able to enjoy savings on the cost of running your home – and so will the next owner!
Neutralise the Colour Scheme
A loud or dated colour scheme can easily put off some buyers. If you want to avoid this, it’s worth considering redecorating to achieve a more toned-down, neutral look. This can help you appeal to the broadest range of tastes possible.
The benefits don’t end there, either. A light, neutral colour scheme can make rooms appear lighter and more spacious. So, you see – the simple act of applying a fresh coat of paint to your wall can be transformative!
Fix any Minor Issues and Imperfections
When you’ve been living in a property for a number of years, you may come to accept many imperfections. Perhaps you have a leaking tap, chipped paintwork, or a creaky gate. You may view these as endearing quirks that make your property unique. However, bear in mind that somebody visiting for the first time may not have the same view.
In fact, just a few of these minor issues could be enough to deter some buyers. Don’t let this happen! Take the time to address them, so that visitors have no reason to unfairly dismiss your home.
Arrange Planning Permission
It doesn’t matter whether or not any of your plans require special permission – you should obtain planning permission from your local council if you haven’t already. This will provide any future buyers with the assurance that they have the green light for any changes and alterations they may wish to make, which is an attractive selling point.
Utilise Under-stair Storage
Keeping your home neat and tidy can be so much easier when you have an under-stair storage feature. These can be added to any property with a staircase. The space underneath can be utilised for shelves, storage closets or bookcases. With a little know-how, the steps themselves can also be modified to double up as storage drawers.
Just think, under-stair storage could provide a convenient place for you to store your shoes, books, coats, toys – and just about anything else that can clutter up your living space!
Consider a Loft Conversion
If you’re lucky enough to own a property with a loft, make sure you’re utilising this space to its fullest potential. We’re often saddened to see lofts used for storing trinkets and Christmas decorations when they can be so much more!
Converting your loft into a bedroom, recreation room, home gym or music studio could provide a serious boost to your home’s value and kerb appeal. When it comes to the decor, remember to stick to neutral, lighter colours – and you’re all set.
Get Your Garden in Order
Gardens also rank highly on homebuyers’ wishlists, so if you have one, count yourself lucky. But, also think about how sought-after a well-maintained garden must be …
Well, with a little hard work and dedication, a pristine garden can be yours. It’s time to dust off your gardening gloves, pull up those weeds, tend to your plants and while you’re at it, tend to that ailing shed.
And of course, before you invite any viewers, make sure your lawn is immaculate. After all, a well-kept garden can add as much as £2,000 to a home’s value!
Add a Garden Office
In 2022, many professionals are working for home, as businesses have seen the benefit of operating fully or partially remotely. As such, garden offices are now sought after among those working from the comfort of their abodes.
With that said, building a garden office should be a considered decision (build costs typically range between £5,000-£20,000). With that said, if you spend your budget wisely, you can create a modern, comfortable workspace that can also increase the value of your home.
Thank you for Reading!
We hope you found our latest article helpful and informative. You should now have plenty of inspiration for how to optimise your home’s value. No matter what you ultimately decide on, we wish you the best of luck with the sale of your home – and your all-important move!
