There are four main types of home improvements available. It’s important to establish whether the upgrade home improvements that you are about to make will be worth the hassle and expense.
Each of the following improvements will add value to your home, create extra living space or improve the overall feel and aesthetic of your house. Some of these fundamental home improvements could be quite expensive, but there are many finance your home improvements options available.
They are considered the best ways to add value to a house meaning you will make the money that you had spent on home improvements back and much more!
The Basics
The basics are what buyers will expect as standard when they are looking to buy a house. Some of these basics include, a fully functional, high quality roof that doesn’t leak, working gutters, a dry basement or cellar, solid floors, walls that do their jobs and are in good condition.
Many home-seekers will also expect the property to have functional plumbing systems in place. The next level of ‘basic’ requirements may include a particular number of bedroom or bathrooms with working facilities and other features which are promised within that area.
There are many basics to consider but you will not need to upgrade your entire home to cover them all. Unless you have found a way to finance your home improvements, you may choose to focus on smaller, more affordable upgrade home improvements and repairs to ensure everything is working properly.
Please note that adding or repairing the basics amenities within a home will not increase the value of your property, it will merely share the standard of the other houses within the area.
Keep in mind that although you wish to improve your home and stay ahead of the competition, it isn’t the best idea to excel your property way ahead of the others in the same area.
You could possibly scare off the potential buyers in the area. There are many ways to finance your home improvements, but before you begin to invest all of your money in one particular property, it is important to evaluate what the other properties in your area have to offer.
Do some research and find out what the other homes in your neighbourhood have to offer and then make your home improvements based on your specific market place.
Room Conversions
One of the most popular types of home improvements is of course room conversions as there are so many possibilities. Kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and room conversions are all incredibly popular amongst homeowners.
A bathroom renovation is particularly popular as this is a room that is consistently used, therefore very important to the homeowner. Bathroom upgrade home improvements are one of the best ways to add value to a house, as is can increase it by 5%.
The Curb Appeal
These are improvements which help to create a fantastic first impression when a buyer first visits your home. While they don’t necessarily increase the value of your property, they will definitely help to sell your home quicker.
Curb appeal improvements are one of the best ways to add value to a house. They will help to improve the aesthetic and modernize your home. A neat and tidy garden, landscaping, and new exterior and interior painting – these are all example of curb appeal home improvements.
These are all changes that you can make yourself to save money and time. When designing your home, you need to try and appeal to the largest audience possible. This isn’t the time for bold or unique designs; instead choose a neutral colour or theme which will match all tastes. Choose from subtle, contemporary home features and classic tones to increase your homes appeal.
Another element to increase your home’s aesthetic is lighting, but it’s essential to find a way to finance your home improvements because can be expensive. The home should look bright and attractive, but you don’t want to cause any damage to the circuitry in the property.
Why not stand out from the crown and consider LED lights, as this is one of the modern, inviting upgrade home improvements. Fixing lighting and getting it right can be a hassle, so you may wish to contact an interior design professional. Try to choose the most affordable options available.
Value-Adding
Some of the best ways to add value to a house is through replacing appliances or adding new fixtures and fittings.
Bathroom and kitchen renovations, new window and door replacements, refurbished decking and energy saving improvements all increase the value of a home.
Did you know that home improvements like these often recoup 80% or more of their costs during re-sale.
Personal Preference
Personal preference home improvements are often luxury items that the homeowner may or may not like. These are features such as swimming pools, a Jacuzzi or even a wine cellar.
These are bespoke amenities that allow your home to appear more premium but they aren’t one of the best ways to add value to your house. This is because of the costs the homeowner will acquire to achieve these ‘personal preference’ items.
First of all it usually costs a lot of have even a small pool installed, and new home buyers may consider a swimming pool as a safety hazard, or even recognise that it may require a lot of maintenance and upkeep.
Make sure that you don’t swap traditional features for a modern, luxurious one just because it suits you better.
For example if the rest of the homes in your area have a garage, think before you transform yours into a gym! Some conversions can take the traditional, functional aspects away from your home. There are many other tricky conversions which include,
- Changing a bedroom into a music studio
- Removing walls to create an open place space
- Removing a bedroom to extend another room
- Renovating the basement
Regardless of the project that you are thinking of doing, it’s important to remember that your property isn’t just a house, it’s a home.
You may plan on living there for many years to come, if that’s the case then add the upgrade home improvements that you want to without consider the value that it will add to your home and enjoy the advantages that they bring.
If you are thinking of selling your home but don’t wish to spend too much time or money, either look for suitable ways to finance your home improvements, or make upgrade home improvements that will bring your home up to the standard of the other homes within your area, rather than trying to outdo them.