House prices are on the rise again. It doesn’t matter where you live, the market is on the climb and that means it is the perfect time for you to capitalize. How? By investing in your home and increasing its value. Whatever you do, chances are it will make you a seriously lovely dollop of cash. But knowing where the best investments can be made – those improvements that will offer you the highest return on your investment – can be hard to find.
Let There Be Light
Those days of big houses with lots of rooms are gone. We now live in an age where natural light is all the rage. So have a look at your house and determine where a new boost of light would have the most powerful effect. It could be in the kitchen where a set of bifold doors would be dreamy. Or maybe your bathroom is a bit dark and a floor to ceiling window would be so relaxing. Perhaps you want a Juliet balcony in your bedroom, or a skylight in the hallway, or a sun tube above the shower, or a set of velux windows in your living room. Whatever it is, going down the natural light route is a trend we can’t see disappearing any time soon.
Space, The Final Frontier
This will require a professional, but knocking out any walls that aren’t weight bearing or structural will give your house that open plan vibe that people want to live with. Why not make your kitchen the ultimate hub by including it in your living room or dining area. It will give your home a sense of flow that is associated with wide open spaces. Two small rooms compared to one big space is not a competition. But it isn’t just about knocking down walls to create space; it is about space-saving too. Maybe it is time to install a kitchen island for additional storage space, or maybe you live in a compact apartment and want to have a bed that hides in the wall. What people are doing with small spaces these days is astonishing.
Maintenance Is Crucial
Buyers will employ a property surveyor before buying, so don’t think you’ll get away with not maintaining your home. When you think How to improve your home value in 2017, think roofing, think plumbing and electrics, think damp and insulation. It is a chore, but a good surveyors report will work in your favor and won’t see a reduced offer slip in at the last minute. Addressing the basics – cold attic space, leaking taps, blocked gutters, hazardous log burner – should be your first port of call before doing anything else. Buying a new kitchen is all good, but it won’t add a penny to your property if there are obvious faults. To a potential buyer, small problems will insinuate bigger ones and it will be hard to convince them otherwise. Trust us.
