If you are a house flipper, or if you have simply realised that you are not currently living in your ‘forever’ home, there are plenty of ways to add to the worth of your London home before you start selling it.
Read on to find out all about them and start adding some significant value to your property today.
Update The Kitchen
Modernising your kitchen is one of – if not the – best way to add some extra thousands to your home’s sale value. The kitchen is the heart of the home, they say, and property buyers certainly seem to think so. As a result, if your kitchen hasn’t been updated in the last decade, or if it’s looking past its best, then you may want to consider investing in some renovations.
The extent to which you upgrade your kitchen will depend on your budget. While installing some glossy new appliances and swapping out your old countertops for quartz or creamy marble are sure-fire ways to up your kitchen’s wow factor, there’s no getting around the fact that these changes can set you back a significant amount. If you don’t have several thousand to spend on an entirely new kitchen, don’t worry – you can institute some much cheaper changes that will still make a difference to the look, feel, and function of the room.
Sometimes all your kitchen needs is a fresh coat of paint to brighten up the cabinets, or perhaps a new tile splashback which you can buy and apply yourself; adhesive tiles are cost-effective and easy to use.
Modernise Your Bathroom
If you have seen some of the images that our favourite celebrities have snapped of their own bathrooms, then you will understand the impact that a thoughtfully designed and ultra-stylish bathroom can have.
Of course, the majority of us don’t have the benefit of an A-lister’s salary, but that doesn’t mean we can’t make some appealing alterations to our bathrooms that will bump up the sale price of our homes. While a whole new bathroom undoubtedly makes a big impact, some smaller DIY changes can be well worth your while. These could include retiling the shower or upgrading the showerhead itself, swapping out your current taps for some stylish new brass fittings, or replacing your toilet with a newer and more elegant model.
Switch Up Your Lights
You may not realise it, but the way you light your home can help to add value to the price of your property, for the most part, by improving its energy efficiency. You can achieve this in several ways, including swapping your bulbs for LED models that provide a bright white light that illuminates perfectly and also happens to be energy efficient. You may also want to invest in smart lighting, which you can control with a device such as Alexa, adding extra convenience – not to mention the wow factor.
You can also play around with lighting; for example, by layering lights using lamps, sconces and pendant lights on various different levels around a room to create a warm glow. This creative use of light can make your rooms look and feel bigger and more welcoming, which can make a positive impression on potential buyers.
Finally, you may want to introduce more natural light into the home, which can be achieved with the help of a strategically placed skylight or perhaps some French windows opening onto your back garden.
While you’re in the process of upgrading your lighting, don’t forget about the finishing touches, such as your light switches or sockets, as even these often overlooked items can be made more stylish and appealing. To help ensure a beautiful home, clear light switches and sockets such as those provided by Corston’s allow you to easily control your lighting without disguising the paint or wallpaper behind them.
Give Your Garden A Makeover
With more people realising the value of the great outdoors for their mental health, particularly since the onset of the pandemic, these days, a pretty garden can help to increase the value of any property, particularly if it is well maintained.
But how can you make the most of your garden? Some of the best modifications to make include the addition of a garden shed, garden office, or conservatory. However, these can be costly, so if you don’t have too much money to invest, simply focus on taking good care of your garden by weeding, watering, feeding, and pruning. You can also add some lighting, and if you have the know-how, create a little patio or outdoor dining area so you and future buyers can enjoy spending quality time in your outdoor space.
Convert Your Loft
Did you know that converting your loft or attic into an extra room could potentially add up to 20% to the value of your property? Unfortunately, this kind of renovation can be both costly and time-consuming, not to mention inconvenient, so it’s important that you do your homework and get some quotes before deciding whether it will be worth your while.
On the plus side, even if you are not planning to sell your home in the near future, you will benefit from the extra space, particularly if you have a large family or are in need of a home office for remote working.
Add Some Solar Panels
Solar panels are an investment to consider when it comes to adding value to your home. Not only can they bump up the price of your property, but they can also help you pay your energy bills, which is of increasing importance to buyers these days.
However, a major downside of solar panels is the cost of installing them to begin with, which means it can take several years to recoup your investment. You also need to make sure that your roof offers the best conditions for panels to be installed. At the end of the day, it’s worth doing some research and working out whether or not solar panels are a feasible option for your home – and your bank balance.
Tackle Damp Head On
A serious problem that many homeowners face is damp, and the issues that it can cause – not only to the home itself but also to the health of its occupants. If your property has problems with damp then it’s vital that you rectify them as soon as possible, because not only can it prevent your home from finding a buyer, but it can also affect your family’s well-being.
Fortunately, in many cases, rising damp and its attendant mould and mildew can be easily and cheaply sorted. Even something as simple as keeping the windows open for part of the day can improve ventilation and help to keep damp and mould at bay. You can also keep items of furniture away from exterior walls to prevent a build-up of moisture, and keep the number of pot plants you have indoors to a minimum, as they can contribute to the levels of damp inside your home.
In Conclusion
As you can see, there are a variety of options you can explore when it comes to bumping up the sale value of your London home – ranging from the cheap and cheerful to the lavish and pricey.
Whatever changes you choose to make will depend on your budget and circumstances. Even a few small alterations here and there can bring you extra money when it comes to selling your property, making them worth your while.
