What are the 5 Best Improvements to make to your home to add value to it? Whether you might be thinking of selling this year, next year, or in a few years’ time; there are improvements you can make which will add value and saleability. Here’s what we recommend.

Check and Improve Insulation

This can be a game-changer for any homeowner, especially if you have an older property. For starters, you can take advantage of the benefits of good insulation for yourself. Then when it comes to selling, you’ll appeal to today’s homebuyers who are looking for well-insulated homes.

Data shows that in 2021, only 49.3% of homes in England had cavity or solid wall insulation. And only 39% of homes had 200mm or more of loft insulation.
If you haven’t already been in your loft and checked your insulation, we recommend you do. A quarter of the heat in your home could be escaping through your roof without the right level loft insulation. Today’s recommended level of loft insulation is 27cm. Many homes still have insulation dating back to 1976 levels, which was much lower. The cost to improve loft insulation will pay for itself many times over; keeping your home warmer and energy bills a little lower. If you do need to improve your loft insulation, we always recommend contacting a professional for advice and installation.

If your home was built before 1990, chances are it doesn’t have any wall insulation. Walls with uninsulated cavities can lose 33% or more of the heat that’s generated from within the home. By insulating cavity walls, you can save even more energy and help reduce your energy bills.

Not all homes can have cavity wall insulation, so it is imperative you get an expert to check and advise accordingly. But if your property was built after 1930 then it should have cavity walls which may need insulating. Cavity wall insulation can only be carried out by experienced installers. There is support available from the Government for insulating homes, however you must meet the eligibility criteria.

Invest in green technology

If you have the budget to do so, green home solutions are some of the best improvements worth investing in. The difference they make to home sales is significant from both a value and speed of sale perspective. And this will only increase in years to come, especially while energy prices remain high. Energy-efficient homes are very sought after right now. And even if you are not looking to sell immediately, just think of the benefits they can bring you.

An obvious option is solar energy, although it is still very expensive. Larger solar systems especially, which provide electricity for the whole home are likely to be too costly. But there are smaller systems available. These can still make your home more energy efficient and help to reduce your energy bills.
You can also take a look at the lighting in your home and make the change to far more energy efficient LED bulbs. It’s a fact that LEDs are the most environmentally friendly light source available today. They consume less power, have better switching stability, and last longer. Even if you have halogen downlights in a reasonably new ceiling or extension, you can swap these for LED versions.

We find homes with an electric vehicle charging point also sell well. If you are thinking of getting an electric vehicle, it could be an additional investment worth considering.

Make space for a home office

Although many workers have returned to the office, hybrid working is a reality for a lot of families and professionals. To have space in the home that’s suitable for working in, is vital these days. If homebuyers can see the potential for a home office, even if there is not one currently, it can add value to your property.
You might have a spare room that you currently only use for storage. If that’s the case, make sure to declutter it before getting your house on the market. You want to showcase its size and scope as a working from home space.

A more radical change could be that you transform an area of your home. You might be keen to do this is if you are looking for somewhere quiet and private for yourself to work in until such time as you do sell. The best improvements which are popular with homebuyers include loft conversions, garage conversions, or the addition of new garden buildings. By investing in these changes, you will add value to your property for the long term.

Revamp your bathroom

The two rooms which need to look fabulous when it comes to home sales, are the bathroom and kitchen. We are not suggesting in any way that you rush out and spend a fortune on new bathroom or kitchen suites. But, if your bathroom is looking a little used, worn, and tired, there are some improvements you can make to spruce it up. You can easily breathe new life into your bathroom with a few simple changes. And you and your family can enjoy these while your house is still your home.

New flooring can make a big difference. From affordable sheet vinyl up to stone tiles, there are also good laminates suitable for bathrooms these days. LVT floors are costlier, but they give a realistic appearance of wood or stone while being warmer and waterproof. Underfloor heating is a sought after home feature, which you might want to look at if you are having a new floor done.

You don’t need to be too radical, however. A new bit of tiling around the shower or sink area can really make a difference. Even replacing your showerhead to a newer and more sparkly one can change the way your bathroom looks.

Show off your garden

Believe it or not, the size and position of gardens remain strong selling points when it comes to home sales. If your garden hasn’t had much TLC lately, take the time to give it some extra attention. By removing large unsightly weeds, mowing the lawn, and planting some bulbs for a pop of colour, you can make a big difference.

The sort of features homebuyers like are, a good space for outdoor dining and socialising, areas for growing flowers, fruits, and vegetables, and environmental solutions such as water harvesting.

We always recommend fences and perimeters are secure and tidy, so replace or fix anything that is damaged. The key thing is to let buyers see your garden’s potential. After all, on a warm, sunny day, it is an extension of your home.

Do you have questions about selling your home? Maybe you need some advice on its value and the best improvements to make before you get it on the market. As local property experts, knowledgeable about property in this area, we can help you with our impartial, professional advice. Contact us today