As a homeowner, it’s important to see your property as more than just a place to live. In fact, our houses and flats are the biggest investments most of us will ever make, and whether or not we recognise it, an awful lot of our funds will inevitably be tied up in them.
Because of this, it’s always a good idea to make the most of what you have. Just like any other financial venture you enter into, there will probably come a time when you want to profit from it, so with this in mind, you ought to add as much value as you can whilst it’s still in your keeping.
But how to do this when you’re working on a budget? It turns out there are actually lots of handy tips and tricks you can try…
Up the curb appeal
When it comes to selling a property, the first thing potential buyers take note of is its exterior. Initial impressions count for a lot, and if your home is rundown, shabby, and dilapidated, it’s going to knock some serious money off its price tag. The reverse of this, of course, is that maintaining its curb appeal will bolster the value of your house or flat. Keep your lawns mowed, your flowerbeds neat, and your windows and doors freshly painted, and you’ll add some easy zeros to your investment.
Add a lick of paint here and there
Another thing that instantly knocks value off a home is a dated colour scheme and unattractive décor, so try to keep your interior looking fresh and modern at all times. Even if you’re not planning on selling immediately, it’s always good to keep your house or flat in a saleable condition. This means that should any drastically unfortunate circumstances (such as redundancy or indebtedness) ever strike, your home could instantly be placed on the market and still fetch a fair price.
Take care of any minor repairs and refurbishments
It’s easy to get into a rut and let minor niggles develop, but don’t leave the small stuff unaddressed where your house is concerned. If you want to maintain the value of your property, stay on top of repairs, so that no one can ever use them to drive down the price. In lots of instances, you’ll be able to handle these yourself, with the simple assistance of Google and a few good books, which means you won’t have to shell out for professional help. Although you should only tackle these problems if you feel fully confident you can resolve them, you’d be surprised at how much you’re capable of if you fix issues before they worsen.
A note of caution, however: you must always look to your safety and invest in proper workwear and equipment before attempting such a project. A retailer like Engelbert Strauss will be best equipped to help, and should be able to outfit you with everything you need. Don’t hesitate to contact their professionals if you’re uncertain of your requirements, so that you’re properly protected at all times.
Expand your space
This last tip is probably the most effective in adding value to your house as opposed to simply maintaining its value, but it is also the costliest solution on our list. Despite this, expanding your space is one of the best ways to up the price tag of a property, so if you have the funds available, do consider enlargement, whether through a loft conversion, expanding down into your basement, or investing in a traditional extension. With this type of work typically adding around £59,000 to the asking price, it’s well worth considering if you’re financially comfortable enough to afford it.
Tell us, isn’t it time to improve your home?
