Selling your property can feel like a big undertaking. So, it makes sense you want to make changes that offer the best return.
In this article, we will share how to increase your property value by advising you on what adds value and what doesn’t.
1. Enhance Your Home’s Curb Appeal
The outward appearance of your home matters. In fact, when it comes to people viewing your property, the outward appearance is the very first thing they will see. And if they’re not impressed, they won’t even bother to book a viewing. So, while your home may look beautifully renovated on the inside, if it’s not appealing on the outside you are thwarting your chances of getting more property views.
Doing everything you can to enhance your home’s curb appeal is a great place to start. Prioritising a well-maintained front garden is a good first step. You might also consider repainting your house, fixing broken fence posts or windows, and enhancing the space with professional landscaping, a new front door, and outdoor lighting. How your home looks to passersby will have a significant impact on its final selling price.
2. Refresh Your Home with a New Coat of Paint
What adds value when it comes to increasing property prices? A fresh coat of paint. Repainting your property, inside and out, will go a long way towards increasing its marketability and value.
Painting your home predominantly in neutral colours is a great option as it makes your home look brighter and more inviting. It also creates a blank canvas that lets prospective buyers focus on the space itself, rather than becoming distracted by bright colours or old, peeling paint.
Refreshing your home with a new coat of paint is a great way to showcase its full potential and as an added benefit it can also increase your property’s value by 25%.
3. Install Window Shutters
Shutters are a versatile addition to your home. Not only do they offer a timeless aesthetic, but they can also benefit your home in the following ways:
- Giving you control over the light levels.
- Providing privacy without blocking natural light.
- Protecting your home and windows from the elements.
- Increasing the security of your home.
- Boosting the visual appeal of your home.
If you’re looking to increase property value, installing window shutters is an effective and affordable option that could make all the difference in attracting potential buyers.
4. Improve Your Garden Appeal
If your property has a garden, it’s important to dedicate time to improving its appeal. That might involve tidying up the space yourself and making small aesthetic improvements or it might look like investing in a professional landscaping service that can take your garden to the next level.
People are increasingly spending time outside. So, having a garden is especially attractive to prospective homeowners. In fact, according to Ecoscape, “around 40% of buyers in the UK state they wouldn’t consider making an offer on a house if it didn’t have a garden.”
A garden that has been thoughtfully designed can add real value. It doesn’t just provide great space for kids to play, it also offers somewhere that’s perfect for relaxing and entertaining in the summer. So, if you’re looking to make home improvements that increase property value, making proactive changes to your outdoor space is a great option.
5. Build a Driveway
The provision of off-road parking is a must for many prospective buyers. In fact, according to The Intermediary, “buying a property with a garden has been named as the number one desire from potential home buyers when moving house […] more than a third (38%) said they are looking for a home with off-street parking.”
In some areas around the UK, particularly those in built-up areas like cities, the provision of off-street parking comes at a premium, drastically increasing the value of your property. As such, if you have the option to introduce off-street parking in either the form of a driveway, a garage, or both, you will considerably increase your property’s value.
6. Make Improvements to Superficial Property Defects
Making improvements to superficial property defects can make a big impression on potential buyers; showing them that your home has been well cared for and properly looked after.
If you want to give your property the best possible chance of selling for a good price, making general improvements is something you should consider. Here are some of the things to be aware of:
- Dirty or marked walls (especially around light switches, above stair handrails, and around door frames).
- Peeling paint inside and out
- Dripping or loose taps
- Mouldy, unkept sealant around tiles in kitchens and bathrooms
- Limescale build-up on bathroom and kitchen fittings
While making the changes listed above is important, these are things that can be done once you’ve made larger, more important changes to your home. So, pop these tips at the bottom of your priority list and get to them if you have the time later on.
7. Invest in Professional Staging
Professional staging ensures your property is showcased in the best possible light. This is something that should be done once all other changes have been made to your property.
The purpose of professional staging is to highlight your property’s best features, demonstrating how various rooms can be used, what spaces could look like etc, so that potential buyers can see themselves living there and imagine how the space could work for them.
Professional staging helps potential buyers connect with the space. This connection increases the desirability of your home and the property’s value as a result. As Investopedia explains: “home staging has become a “must-do” for many sellers, and 81% of buyer’s agents say this makes it easier for prospective buyers to visualise the property as a future home. Staged homes also have historically sold faster and for more money than those that aren’t staged.” So, it’s definitely a worthwhile investment.
Home Improvements that Do Not Add Value
When you’re looking to increase your property value, it’s important to make changes that actually make a difference. Unfortunately, there are a number of home improvements that do not add value to UK properties. Take a look:
Swimming Pools
Many people assume that swimming pools are a desirable home feature that automatically increases property value. However, swimming pools aren’t typically considered a desirable addition to UK properties.
There are many reasons for this, such as: they are expensive to maintain, the UK weather isn’t typically suitable for outdoor swimming, and they take up a lot of space (something many UK properties don’t have). So, if you want to increase your property’s value we recommend steering clear of swimming pools.
Updating the Flooring
If you’re looking to upgrade your property’s flooring, it’s important to do so because you want to and you’ll get to enjoy the benefits before you move. Otherwise, it’s a job that can easily cost a few hundred pounds only to become absorbed in the final selling price of the property. While it might improve your property’s overall aesthetic, it won’t change its value.
Wine Cellar
If you’re into your wine, you might consider adding a wine cellar to your property. However, this particular property change won’t add value to your home. This is because a wine cellar is seen as a fancy extra as opposed to an addition that is highly sought after.
According to Ideal Home, “The cost of fitting one can easily reach the £70,000 mark, and while it may seem like a unique selling point, relying on a buyer who can match this love of wine is a big risk to take.” Therefore, rather than digging out your basement to create a wine cellar, you might consider where you could add another bathroom, study, or bedroom.
Final Words
As you can see, there are many ways you can add value to your property and sell it for more than you hoped. We are confident these tips will help you make valuable changes that boost your property’s curb appeal and attract a high number of potential buyers who are genuinely interested in making a purchase.
