We all love those home improvement shows where someone buys a wreck of a house for next to nothing, makes some clever renovations and then sells it for a fortune. When it comes to our own homes though we can be blind to their faults, and it can be hard to know what sort of improvements are worth doing to sell your home, and which are not worth the money.
Decluttering
The first and most effective home improvement is the one which costs the least money. If your home is crammed with ornaments, pictures and family photos, it can be hard for prospective buyers to imagine what it might be like with their stuff in it instead. Be ruthless with your de-cluttering, only keeping those things you absolutely cannot do without and put everything else into self-storage. Prices vary depending on where you are in the UK and are highest within the M25, but expect to pay around £50 to £100 per month for a garden shed sized unit.
Double Glazing
Double glazing is at the other end of the scale when it comes to expense, but is an investment worth making if you are trying to sell your property. New double glazing can cost around £10,000 but estate agents reckon that it can add at least 10% onto the value of your property. If you live in a period house, use wooden double glazed units rather than uPVC; studies have shown that modern style windows in an old house can actually lower its value.
Broadband
Fast, reliable internet is now so important for buyers that they are considering it along with schools and parking when it comes to decisions about houses. If you have fibre-optic or cable broadband in the house already mention this on the particulars, if not, consider getting it installed. If it is not available in your area, look into satellite broadband as an alternative.
Paint the Front Door
When was the last time you painted the front door? First impressions really do count, and if your wooden front door has seen better days, a few coats of paint will work wonders. Stick to classic black or white or muted shades and not every buyer will be attracted by a bright pink or orange front door.
Outdoor paint, sandpaper and brushes will only cost around £50, and if the whole door needs replacing, this can be done for around £500. Putting pots with flowers by the door or having hanging baskets on the porch will also enhance first impressions. Also consider painting or re-rendering the whole outside of the house.
Add A Bathroom
New build houses are now built with at least one bathroom to every two bedrooms, and usually have a downstairs loo as well. If you are trying to sell an older, larger property with only one bathroom, adding an additional loo, or even better a shower room, will add up to 10% to the home’s value. If you have large bedrooms, consider re-configuring the space to allow you to add another bathroom or ensuite, turn a cupboard into a small wet room, or split an existing large bathroom in half. This is not a cheap home improvement at around £10,000 for the building and plumbing work required, but if you are selling a larger family home it is an investment well worth making.
Install a Woodburner
Woodburning or solid fuel stoves are hugely popular at the moment. They’re environmentally friendly and attractive to look at, and installing one can add 5% onto the value of your house. Even better, there are government grants and finance schemes to help you spread the cost of a solid fuel stove. A top of the range woodburner costs around £2500 to buy and install although there are lots of cheaper variations on the market, and this has to be done by a qualified professional. If you have chimneys at home, have them swept and set a fire to let buyers see that they have the option for a real fire if they wish.
