Looking for ways to add value to your home? Here are the top tips from our Brentwood estate agents.
1. Redecorate your home
Redecorating your home is one of the easiest ways to add to its value. It’s amazing how much of a difference a fresh coat of paint can make, and it is one of the cheapest ways you can add value to your home. Wondering which colours to go for? Light, neutral shades are most appealing to buyers, as they will be able to move straight in and then put their own stamp on the property. They also make it look light, airy, and more inviting, further boosting its appeal.
2. Convert your garage, loft or basement
Do you have areas in your home that aren’t living up to their full potential? Then it could be time to convert them. Converting a loft, garage or basement is a sure-fire way to add value to a property, as it gives buyers the one thing that they will always want in a home – more space! What should you use the converted space as? Buyers really value an extra bedroom with an en-suite bathroom, but home offices and additional living areas are also a big draw. Make it clear that the space is versatile during a viewing, allowing them to visualise what they could do with it.
3. Boost the kerb appeal
We all know about kerb appeal, but it’s important not to underestimate its importance. After all, if a property doesn’t look inviting from the outside, you are not going to want to explore it further. So what can you do to make your home appear more enticing from the street? Make sure that your front garden is neat and well-maintained, give your front door a power wash or fresh coat of paint and ensure that your guttering is in good condition. It’s also a good idea to add off-street parking if possible, as this is a huge draw for buyers.
4. Tackle odd jobs
If there are a few odd jobs that you have been putting off, now is the time to tackle them! Taking care of the following will really make a difference to potential buyers viewing your home, helping you to achieve or exceed your asking price:
- Peeling paint and/or wallpaper
- Dirty marks on the wall, especially close to door frames or light switches
- Dripping taps
- Squeaky floorboards, doors or stairs
- Mouldy sealant
- Limescale build-up in your kitchen or bathroom
- Badly fitted carpets or flooring
- Broken lightbulbs or light fittings that don’t work
5. Extend your home
Last but not least: extend! This is a big investment, so it isn’t going to be an option for every single property owner. However, if you are a position to do so, it can be a great way of driving the value of your property up. A double-level extension could add as much as 11% to the value of your home, and a single storey addition will still give you a great return. So, if you were planning to extend anyway, it will help you to achieve a much better price when you put your property on the market.
Contact us today
Want to find out more about maximising the value of your home? Talk to our team of estate agents today!