11 Ways To Increase Your Home’s Value & Desirability

Investing in the right home improvements can have a significant impact on the value of a home. The improvements could also help you sell your home quicker, make it more of a home for you, and also help you save money in heating costs. Below are 11 ways to improve your home:
.

1. Build a conservatory – Expanding your living space is a good idea. But make sure a conservatory matches the rest of the design of the house. Don’t automatically assume additional living space means an increase in value. People will want to ensure it looks good and fits with a property.Typically a conservatory, priced £5,000 to £30,000 could add around 7 per cent to the value of a home. A conservatory makes a great place to get away from it all and creates a perfect place for relaxation. Many people would never allow a TV ever to be placed in a conservatory. 
   .
2. Add an Extension – As above, ensuring it fits with the property is important. An extension, where typically costs £10,000 to £30,000 can add 11% to the value of a property. 
   .
3. Removing the Garage – Between 80 and 90% of homes in the UK, which have a garage do not house a car. So if this is you, then use the garage and convert it to have more living space. To calculate the value added, multiply the square/foot gained by the local price per square foot. 
   .
4. Swap Your Inefficient Gas Fire/Stove – Not only can you save with heating costs, which also have a positive impact on the environment, removing your outdated gas fire or stove, can have an impact on its resale value and desirability. Many “on the market” house particulars will list if a property has a branded fire or stove. Being a focal point it can have a real impact when it comes to selling. While it will not have the same impact as an extension or conservatory, it will certainly help. During your ownership it will also provide a greener, more sustainable way to heat a home too. Having a wood burning stove is also said to help reduce stress! A high quality, attractive electric fire will also help make a home more desirable. 
   .
5. Windows  – Windows are a visual point of a home, and have a big impact in terms of heating efficiency. Upgrading to quality replacement windows will not only increase a homes value, it will help towards lower heating costs and could help  towards a quicker sale when the time comes. Until then, you will be enjoying lower heating costs. 
   .
6. Refurbish The Front Door – Like with windows, a front door is a visual (and security) point too. A front door can cost between £200 – £700+. Although negligible in increasing the value of the property, it will certainly create a good first impression, and increase the levels of insulation and security, when compared to older less secure doors. 
   .
7. The Kitchen – The kitchen is probably the most important room in the home for increasing it’s value. But ensure it’s in keeping with the home to provide a return, when it comes to selling. A £30,000 kitchen in a home worth £150,000 will not provide a return on the initial outlay. While a £5,000 kitchen in a £750,000 home could very well devalue it. Typically a kitchen will add up to 5% to the value of a home.
   .
8. The Bathroom – The bathroom is a close second runner to the kitchen. A new bathroom can add 2 – 3 % to the value of a home. The key to a new bathroom is subtle changes such as a glass door as opposed to a shower curtain, a big new shower head, a heated chrome towel rail, a power shower etc, along with a nice suite. 
   .
9. Space Not Rooms – People tend to be more interested in space as opposed to rooms – especially downstairs. Where the walls are non-load bearing, consider knocking them through for increased, usable space.  
   .
10. Paint – This can be the outside of a home if the walls are painted externally, and also the inside walls. Painting gives a refreshing appearance to a home, whether that is outside or inside. It’s cheap to do, and creates a maximum impact for minimum outlay. 
    .
11. Garden – Basic things like weeding and cutting the grass is a quick and easy way to make your house more desirable if you are looking to sell. Considering things such as landscaping will help increase it’s value – the degree of this will greatly vary according to the size of the property, and size and design of the garden. 
    .
    These pointers can help you save money, make money, make your house more desirable. To what degree someone would want to take these suggestions further will vary based on budget, current state of decor and of course, and if they are looking to sell anytime soon.