Ways To Add Value To Your Property

For property owners wanting to add some kind of value to their properties, extending and renovating are pretty much the best ways forward.

But what if you’re a homeowner without the time and/or budget to invest in a full-blown extension?

We often have people in the property industry asking us this very question: " Can I add value to my property with little effort and a restricted budget?"

So we have put our heads together with our extensive knowledge and come up with five easy ways to do just that in today's local market.

Here’s how to increase your property value without breaking the bank or investing too much time.

 

1. Focus on the "heart" of the house

The kitchen is known as the ‘heart of the home’ for a reason. It’s the room we all like to host in, have meals and spend quality family time in.

This is the main reason some potential buyers may value it so much and will base their decision on the kitchen alone most of the time.

If your budget can only accommodate one improvement, make sure it's going to be the kitchen.

A great kitchen can add as much as 4% to the value of your home, and an outdated kitchen can easily turn buyers off before they've seen the rest of the home.

Here are the easiest kitchen improvement ideas that we suggest:

• Invest in the most modern worktop surfaces within your budget - websites such as Instagram and Pinterest for some inspiration.

• New kitchen tiles – be more out there and go for the more striking and outlandish patterned tiles to create a statement backsplash that people will love to show off.

• Paint your cupboard doors to create a statement that draws the eye.

• Swap the boring old cupboard door knobs for fun quirky ones

Yes, these are all small changes. But together, they can help to give a new lease of life to any old kitchen.

 

2. Adding more storage space wherever you can

Never underestimate the power of lots of storage space for potential home buyers.

This is the one thing that we notice time and time again – buyers can easily be turned off a property if they discover that there just isn’t enough storage space.

So, how do you deal with this issue if you simply haven’t got the space?

Here’s how to add extra storage to your home when space (and budget) is limited:

 

• Make use of all that space on blank walls by building shelves. Shelves are much easier to put up than you might think!

• Work out what you can do with any unused nooks and crannies. For instance, the dead space underneath your stairs. Could you add a cupboard there?

• No idea where you can add extra storage and exhaust all your options? Study the layout of your property layout, and you may just discover dead space you didn’t even realize existed.

   

3. Any estate agent will tell you to make your home more energy efficient

Being eco-conscious today is more important during the property search than ever before, more and more home buyers are interested in finding out how energy efficient a property is before they invest in it.

This doesn’t just stem out of concern for the environment. An energy-efficient home can also save you a considerable amount on energy bills.

Landlords, make your home more energy-efficient, and you’ll instantly make your property more appealing to many buyers and give your estate agent an extra selling point. Here’s how:

• Make sure all windows and doors are double-glazed for effective insulation

• Invest in a heating system with easily adjustable settings so that comfortable temperatures won’t mean racking up bills

• Choose an eco-friendly paint brand for any decorating jobs

• Invest in LED lights and solar panel heating

These improvements come at a cost, but they’ll benefit your wallet, and our planet, in the long term.

 

4. Creating a more open-plan home will help in the long run

Working with a smaller property? Create the illusion of more space by knocking down a few walls.

Do this effectively, and you could boost the value of your property without any extensions.

Any estate agent will tell you that modern buyers are attracted to open-plan layouts. Which can make a smaller flat or house look more spacious and make it easier for them to move around.

Don’t attempt this yourself, though. We recommend consulting a local residential architect who can show you how to do this to maximize the space in your property and may even offer a free valuation if you take this option.

 

5. Find out what home movers are looking for

Have any more property related enquiries?

Have a chat with our experienced team at Horts Estate Agents.

We have a good residential sales team with a vast range of local knowledge of what home movers in your neighbourhood are interested in.

We also offer a fully comprehensive property management service and property valuation, which will give you and your residential property the peace of mind you need when the time comes to selling.

 

For support in Northampton, Rugby and the surrounding areas 

Give our estate agency branches a call 01604 639933 for the Northampton branch or 01788 550044 for the Rugby branch.

A member of our friendly and experienced estate agent team will be happy to speak with you further.

Alternatively, you can visit our site at www.horts.co.uk.