Everyone who has ever bought a home, or is looking at getting onto the housing market knows the importance of property value. Even if you buy a home that is ‘ready made’ – i.e. something you don’t need to renovate at all once you’ve moved in – chances are you still want to make sure that it’s worth more than you paid for it when you decide to leave. Of course, the rising cost of the housing market as a whole tends to mean that the price of properties is constantly rising regardless. But as most people tend to move house at least a few times in their lives, anything extra we can do to help bring our home’s value up can only be a good thing, right?
Converting unused space
The amount of rooms your property has is what makes it very attractive to prospective buyers. A family of four isn’t going to look twice at a three bedroom house, as there will come a time where their children stop sharing a bedroom (that is if they haven’t done so already). Take a look at the space you currently have in your home and consider what you could do with it.
The attic is an obvious choice for a renovation, as loft space tends to lend itself pretty well to creating a good bedroom. But don’t bypass other rooms as well. The basement, for example, can serve as a great games room, private sitting room or even an extra bedroom, if the lack of natural light down there isn’t an issue for you. The process of conversion can be complex and expensive, so it’s certainly not a quick fix. But it can hugely raise the value of your property so it some cases it is worth doing.
Make it more ‘livable’
There’s no use in a property looking nice if it doesn’t actually do the job it’s supposed to: keeping you, or prospective buyers, safe and comfortable. After all, if you don’t have the basics right, you are going to struggle to garner any interest in your place. Check that all your electrics are working – the last thing a new owner will want to do is spend ages getting new lights and wires installed. Heating and cooling systems are very important too, so keep an eye out for home air conditioning installation. Finally, make sure the home is safe, with secure doors and windows that all lock correctly – no missing window keys!
Increase the curb appeal
First impressions count, and most people will decide whether or not they are interested in your property simply by looking at it from the outside. Crumbling brickwork and a messy front garden is going to put people off from the outset, so spend some time clearing up your house from the outside in. Repairing brickwork and giving it a lick of paint (if needed) can make the world of difference, and consider hiring a professional gardener to help make the most of your front yard.
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