The Top 5 Renovation Projects That Will Add Value To Your House & Home.
The economic recovery is on according to the government, media and experts, that\’s unless you work in the property market or are looking to sell your house. With the market still in the doldrums and continuing that for a while yet, many property owners are turning to adding extensions or conversions onto their existing property than enter a half dead market. With such house improvements, value is being added and that value will increase significantly when the market finally picks up, it seems to be a case of improving and waiting for many house owners this year.
1 Refresh the Kitchen space:
The kitchen is probably the most used room in the house and the one room that brings a family together more than any other, no wonder Phil Spencer (From Channel 4\’s Location, Location, Location) believes the kitchen is \’the heart of the home\’. What might surprise you is the fact that the kitchen is the first room new owners will refurbish when the home is purchased, as it shows off more personal taste and style than any other room. As it\’s more difficult and expensive to change than any other room in the house, getting the kitchen right is important for any new owner, so if you\’re buying property for a quick flip, it would be worthless to have a new kitchen installed.
A better alternative is to spruce up the kitchen, a new coat of paint, replacing any damaged cupboard doors or surfaces. Another good trick is to add new (and cheap!) laminate wooden flooring as it can make floor space look larger than it really is and at the same time brighten a place up and giving it a modern and clean sheen.
2 Relay the flooring
Having the wrong carpet or worse, a worn out carpet can leave a room looking dull and dark, including well lived in and not fresh at all with various stains or dog hairs for example. Replacing carpet in well used areas, such as porches and stairways will make a house more inviting and again, fresher and brighter. Replacing a carpet can be an expensive proposition however, so consider cheaper options such as large rugs that cover large portions of the floor and make a room seem more homely.
A further alternative, as mentioned earlier, is to add laminate flooring. This is a perfect option for rooms or areas that experience a lot of usage, such as porches, hallways or living rooms, as they are so easy to clean. Being a much cheaper alternative to carpets, laminate flooring also stays looking newer for longer, guaranteeing you get the most of your money. It is also available in a multitude of styles, effects and colours so it is a flexible option for any room. Some people argue that laminate flooring can make a room look cold and almost sterile, so to minimize this effect, add a rug, or a runner. This will add a warmer and more inviting feel.
3 Renovate a garage:
This is perhaps a misleading title; as most property\’s that have room for a garage do in fact have one as standard. However, what is the point of having a garage that is unused? You\’d be surprised at how many homes use their garage simply to store odds and sods that they no longer need (that\’s what the loft is for!). So how about converting it into an additional room, perhaps an office or workplace? Say, for those who like a bit of DIY or for those who have jobs that require large workspace areas, such as artists and photographers. However, if your garage is actually causing the opposite problem and is too limited for your vehicle storage needs then consider extending it. There is a huge demand at the moment for houses with double garages due to an increased demand of owning a car. An extension could not only add value to your home, but it could attract some serious interest from prospective buyers.
4 Build a conservatory:
Tacking on a conservatory makes a surprising amount of difference to the sense of living space in a house. By their nature they are versatile and being light and airy also adds to the attraction of a conservatory, they are usually the centre of a house party especially in the summer. Styles vary quite wildly now, from uber sleek and modern to more traditional and through to a more cosy set up, best of all they are instant value adders to a property.
5 Eco Upgrades:
The overwhelming trend in property development at the moment is eco/green living and building practices, so adding improvements along these lines can lead to a value boost. New builds all have loft and cavity insulation and a solar panel installed, not to forget double glazing and under floor heating. While being eco friendly, they have the more desired effect of slashing utility bills, making the house green keeps it up to date, ergo attractive to buyers while also saving on the costs of running a house.
To add the maximum amount to your property as well as a gain a quick sale, then decoration that really sticks out is not the best way to go. Simple or \’neutral\’ colours that are deemed \’not offensive\’ or don\’t stand out and leave too much of an impression on potential buyers, if they can imagine in their mind improvements without being distracted by the leopard print wallpaper and disco ball on the ceiling, the better the chances of a sale. Many people forget the outside walls, especially when it comes to an extension, making sure the walls match, with good brickwork is just as important as how the interior looks. Having wood as a feature of the extension on a pebble dashed house for instance can turn people off quite violently, finally, always check planning permission regulations for your area and get quotes from several builders for the best deal.
Here\’s just a small taster of a few changes you could make to your home to add value, save money and make a good sale. While this list is by no means a definitive one, there are a few tips on there that are guaranteed to helping your property on the current tough housing market. Whether you are looking to make some big changes or just a few simple and affordable changes, make sure you cover every avenue to ensure you get the most out of your property.
James writes for Just Remortgages one of the UK\’s top sites for the latest remortgage rates and remortgage deals
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