Whether your property is your first investment or your family home, making your investment pays dividends when you come to sell is vital. There are so many home improvements you can make to a property to increase its value before selling. Some alterations, such as fitting a new kitchen, add less value than you might think. However, there are several additions that will not only increase the selling price of your property, but also make life more comfortable for your family.
Double glazing – a home improvement must?
The installation of double glazed units is associated with a whole host of advantages. Not only are PVC-U replacement windows easier to maintain, the UV protection and increased energy efficiency are invaluable. The increased security of new windows makes replacing them an important investment, as explained in this excerpt from Porch:
“Quality windows and doors are available with glass options that can increase the safety and security of your home. Tempered glass is less likely to cause injury when accidentally broken, as it is designed to break into small granular chunks instead of splintering into jagged shards. Laminated glass has a polymer interlayer that holds the glass together if shattered – offering added protection from potential intruders.”
Although window replacement offers numerous benefits, is the cost installing new windows a price worth paying?
Fitting double glazing was named one of six essential improvements homeowners can make to add value to their property in an article by This Is Money. Selecting the right replacement windows for your home is the key. Fitting secondary glazing was found to add value to period homes whose style or status doesn’t favour new windows. The article found that fitting double glazed units that are in keeping with the property adds up to 10% to the value of the average home.
Want to increase your home’s value further?
You might have caught the home improvement bug after your recent window replacement project. But what property changes add the most value in the UK?
According to a recent survey by property finding portal Rightmove, improving your property’s broadband is essential. Buyers have gone as far as cancelling a purchase after discovering sluggish broadband speeds. Installing superfast broadband can add between 5% and 10% to a listing price.
Curb Appeal
Improving your home’s curb appeal is a common path to a higher selling price. As the saying goes: ‘you only get one chance to make a great first impression’, so make sure your buyers are suitably impressed as soon as they lay eyes on your property. Exterior painting and front garden maintenance can go a long way and can add 10% to your property value as a result.
Maintaining your garden (both front and back) is another great way to enhance your offering. Whether you are completing the work yourself or hiring a professional to take care of things, improving the appearance and design of your garden can up your property sale price by 5 to 10%.
Conservatories can also add 7% to the value of a property, with buyers appreciating the increased living space available. Unsure about which conservatory design will suit your home? Read our conservatory style guide for advice.