Adding Value to your Home

March 17, 2014

Many factors can influence the value of your home, for example if you have a leak in the plumbing system and spend money fixing it you won’t see a return on this investment, as a fully functioning plumbing system is something people expect to see in any home. However, if you spend money remodelling and updating your kitchen you are almost guaranteed a return on the money you put into this. Below are some areas that can greatly add to the value of your home.

Attic

If more space is what you are after then converting your attic into an extra bedroom is a good option to take. This type of conversion is one of the least disruptive and most of the work required can be done outside your home. The first thing you must do is strengthen the floor joists, which will as a result raise the floor level so you must ensure there is still enough comfortable ceiling height. Once you have created the new space make sure that access to this extra room is safe and easy and that it looks and fits in with the design of the rest of the house.

Paint

If you don’t want to spend a small fortune renovating your home one of the quickest and most cost effective ways to add value to your home is to paint it! From painting the outside of the house to freshening up the kitchen cupboards a lick of paint will work wonders in making your house seem brighter and more aesthetically pleasing. While you are painting why not clean your floors, clear the gutters and make your windows shine, these small jobs all make a positive impression on potential buyers.

Kitchen

If you only had the option to focus on one room to add value to your home the kitchen should be it. The kitchen is the heart of any home and one of the easiest room to tell the condition of the rest of the house from. If you remodel your kitchen correctly you could be looking at a potential 100% return on your investment. What most people look for in a kitchen is space, especially counter top work space. Another instant way to add value to your kitchen is stainless-steel appliances, you must ensure that all of your appliances co-ordinate as it adds to the cohesiveness of the room. One addition that has become increasingly popular in recent years are island counters. These standalone counters in the middle of the room are not only a great way to add space but also become an interesting focal point in the kitchen.

Windows

Change the windows if they don’t match the style of the rest of the property or if they require replacing as they are not operating efficiently. A new window installation will see a real improvement on the value of your home as it reduces noise levels, regulates indoor temperatures and enhances home security.

Bathroom

Adding extra bathrooms to your property instantly adds extra value. Even if you are not adding another bathroom(s) updating your current ones will be beneficial.  Adding extras such as heated floors, bathtubs, his and her sinks and steam showers will all drastically increase value. You should also consider what finishes you include in the bathroom, for example opt for ceramic tile floors instead of linoleum or wooden as they don’t last as long in water.