How to increase your home value
If you are looking to work your way up the property ladder and be able to buy that dream home on the market, or if you would simply like to get the highest amount possible for the sale of your home, there are a number of things that you can do.
Firstly, I would recommend that you find/work with a proven Estate Agent who has had success within your village, town or city. There is nothing more damaging than bad advice and poor care when it comes to managing and selling a property. Your Estate Agent should know the market, be able to think outside the box, show real enthusiasm and be on hand 7 days a week.
Ask yourself this, would you rather have an agent who is managing 30-100 properties at any one time, or would you prefer an agent who is equally skilled (if not better) and only manages a select few properties at any one time? Who do you think is going to be able to offer you a better service and have your needs closer to their heart?
So, rule number one: Don't use an agent that won't put in the time, care and attention that your home and prized asset deserves. Make sure you have someone who will fight your corner and ensure your home is sold for what it is worth.
Now that I have explained the importance of working with the right agent, on to my Tips to How to Increase Your Home Value.
Increasing Your Home ValuE
Dealing with Structural Issues
Structural issues such as subsidence will massively impact the value of any house, so anyone wondering how to add value to their home needs to make structural issues a priority.
It makes no sense to carry out cosmetic improvements or internal work, such as installing a new kitchen or bathroom, or any decoration work without doing this first.
Structural issues such as subsidence can, in some cases, involve underpinning costs and so are likely to be amongst the most expensive work required in a renovation project but, in terms of adding value, they are absolutely essential.
Other examples of structural defects include:
A sagging or leaking roof
rising damp
structural cracks to walls
bowing walls
rotten joists or roof timbers
insect infestation
missing or broken roof tiles
an unstable chimney stack
a collapsed floor/slab
Calling in a builder, surveyor or structural engineer is to be advised in the case of structural defects.
A New Heating System Will Add Value
If you are wondering how to add value to your home, look no further than the existing central heating system. Many old houses had either no central heating at all or else old-fashioned systems in need of updating.
Adding or updating the central heating system will always add more to the value of a property than it costs and should to be done in conjunction with improving the general energy efficiency of the building.
Improving efficiency will include:
Sealing any drafts around doors and windows (but not airbricks)
replacing windows that are beyond repair with double glazing
adding insulation into the loft space
If the existing boiler is in reasonable working order and has adequate output for the heat requirement of the building, always try to make use of it with the exception of boilers that draw their air intake from inside the house.
If the boiler has sufficient capacity, you could add new radiators and a heated towel rail, or underfloor heating to the existing system.
Rewiring Old Houses
Updating services, such as wiring and plumbing, is a disruptive job and will involve lifting floors and chasing out plaster walls, so it’s essential to complete the work before making any cosmetic improvements when looking at ways to add value to your home.
Updating the Electrics:
Updating the electrics may be essential if the house has not been rewired for some years. You should be able to tell by looking by the meter if there is an old fuse box, you probably need to rewire the house and install a modern consumer unit with an RCD (residual circuit device) for safety.
Adding extra sockets will also add value to your home and in some cases, it might be worth opting for attractive faceplates for sockets and switches
If rewiring, use the opportunity to update lighting and to add extractor fans in the bathrooms
A New Plumbing System:
Old pipework can get very furred up, leading to poor hot and cold flow, knocking or rattling sounds and other noises at worst, it can lead to burst pipes. Consider a pressurised plumbing system, rather than gravity fed, as it eliminates the need for a header tank, thus freeing up space, and ensures good pressure on both the hot and cold supplies.
If you have room for a cylinder, you can still have stored hot water for filling a bath quickly. If not, consider a combination boiler that provides hot water on demand but make sure you choose one with a good flow rate you need at least 10 litres a minute for a decent power shower.
Add Value by Decorating
Decorating is perhaps the most obvious task when thinking about how to add value to your home. Whilst small, superficial defects won’t directly affect the value of a property, they could put off potential buyers and therefore prevent it from selling at the optimum price.
These typical defects will put many buyers off, but are easily resolved by any competent DIYer:
Peeling paint
squeaking or sticking doors and windows
door latches that don’t work
Mouldy sealants in the kitchen and bathroom
dripping taps
loose tiles
sewer smells
broken or damaged windows
squeaky floors and stairs
cracks to ceilings and plaster-work
lifting flooring
Replace doors
First impressions count. Make sure the outside of the house is welcoming. The front door of your home can say a lot about the rest of the house to viewers seeing it for the first time. If you cannot afford to replace the door, make sure it looks new by giving it a power wash or a fresh lick of paint. Even a new doorknob, house number or name sign can help.
Try to make your front door look smarter than your neighbours.
Adding or updating a bathroom
In the bathroom, re-grouting, eliminating all limescale and replacing taps are a good option. Bathrooms need to be fresh and hygienic looking, so paint the walls a neutral shade, and ideally replace a shower curtain with a new one or a simple glass screen. 29% of homes sold in 2019 had a new bathroom fitted, so a full update might be the key to selling fast and earning more.
Garden appeal
An attractive, tidy, well-designed garden can add a great deal of value to a property. It is essential to trim borders, clear pathways and cut back any overgrown trees or bushes.
The garden should feel like an extra space for entertaining or relaxing, rather than an expanse of grass. An area of decking gives buyers a sense of having a bigger usable living space and 3% of homes sold in 2019 were even found to have had a summer garden, giving owners more space to relax and entertain in sunnier weather.
Opening up space
Opening up living space is becoming more and more popular, particularly for the kitchen and dining room. Combining the two into one large room creates a sociable space, great for the whole family to enjoy. Remember the practicalities with this though, as many consumers still like the ‘front room philosophy’ that can be used for special occasions or to be used for privacy by the adults.
Look smart and be energy efficient
Smart home technologies are increasingly important to buyers - just advertising the presence of fibre optic cables in your area could be enough to encourage buyers. Statement systems like multi-room music platforms can also make a difference.
Smart technology such as Hive, which gives mobile control overheating systems, is a feature worth considering. If it moves your EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) up a band, it could add thousands to the sale price. Only 2% of homes sold in 2019 had smart technology installed, so by being ahead of the game, you'll be offering a unique selling-point and future-proofing for any potential buyers.
Create a driveway
In some areas of the country, the ability to park close to your front door comes at a huge premium and therefore, if you have the room to add off-street parking, you are sure to increase value.
Convert your garage to living space
If your garage isn’t being used to house a car, it could make sense to convert it into a living space – especially if you have parking space outside.
Your first step should be to check that your garage is suitable for conversion and whether you need planning permission. In many cases, the work involved in converting a garage will be classed as permitted development, so you won’t need planning permission, but always check with your local planning authority.
A garage conversion is always subject to building regulations to ensure it’s structurally sound. You can use your local council’s building control service or an approved independent inspector, who will make several visits during the conversion to check that key areas (such as drainage, electrics, walls and the roof) comply with regulations.
Split your home into flats
Converting a house into flats is popular in London, where flats are in high demand and often easier to rent out. Splitting a property into separate units can, therefore, maximise rental income in the short term and profit on sale in the long term.
But before you begin a project, do some research to check that there’s a demand for flats in your area. If three-bedroom properties aren’t shifting but smaller flats are, the conversion could be a good option.
Extend the kitchen with a side-return extension
A side return is a narrow alley that runs adjacent to the kitchen in a typical terraced or semi-detached house. Extending the kitchen into the side return and to the full width of the rest of the house means you gain valuable space and can also improve the layout.
A single-storey side-return extension will usually be classed as permitted development, provided you meet certain limits and conditions. For example, it must be no more than 4m high and no wider than half the width of the original house.
You’ll still have to comply with building regulations and work will be inspected at key stages of the build, either by the local authority building department or by an approved independent inspector. Once your extension is finished and presuming it’s deemed to comply with the regulations, you’ll be given a completion certificate.
If you’re thinking about a side-return extension, remember that you could lose windows and the light they’d bring in. Roof lights over the extension will fix this, or you could install a partially or fully glazed roof to keep the space light and airy.
Loft conversion to add a bedroom
An extra bedroom can add up to 15 per cent to the value of your home, especially if it’s a loft conversion with an en suite bathroom. Most lofts can be converted, but it’s worth getting an architect or builder to double-check before you start.
Once you start planning, you’ll need to get to grips with the types of conversions available. Options range from a roof light conversion, which needs the least amount of structural work and so is the most cost-effective, to a more expensive mansard conversion. Here, one or both slopes of the roof are replaced with a new structure with steeper sides and an almost flat roof.
Mansard conversions generally need planning permission, but the majority of loft conversions are considered a permitted development. Check with your local planning authority as there are some complex rules: for example, you need to apply for planning permission if you want to extend your roof space by more than 50m3 (40m3 for terraced housing).
Increase living space with a conservatory
If you want to feel closer to nature, a fully glazed conservatory will merge indoors with outdoors. To get started, think about how you want to use the space and whether a modern or traditional style will be best for your home and lifestyle.
The biggest part of your conservatory will be the glass, so explore your options carefully. While double glazing is the minimum standard permitted by building regulations, there is a whole host of glazing options available, including solar control glass and self-cleaning glass. Again, think about which will suit your lifestyle and your home.
There are also options to consider when it comes to the frame. The material you choose will directly affect the performance of the conservatory – uPVC, timber and aluminium frames all have different qualities, so do your research and ask experts for advice.
Adding a conservatory to your house is considered to be permitted development provided you meet various limits and conditions, but don’t forget that building regulations are a separate matter. The majority of conservatories are exempt, but there are circumstances when you will need to make an application. For example, if you want to remove the doors or wall linking the conservatory to your house, you’ll have to prove that your conservatory is as energy efficient as the rest of the house.
As you can see, there are always lots to do around your home to help improve its value. These are just a number of ways in which to consider.
As always, do not hesitate to contact me should you have any questions about your property, I am always happy to help.
Gary Lintorn - Let Me Get You Moving...
Who is Gary Lintorn?
Gary is your proven and trusted property expert with a huge heart. Not only does Gary take care of his clients and the sale & rental of their homes, he also works with the local community of Dartford and the surrounding areas too. Find Gary Lintorn on his Youtube channel here.
