Increasing the value of your property doesn’t mean overhauling your home. There's plenty of truth to the old adage that 'the devil is in the detail'. Here are a trio of seemingly simple decisions, each of which have the potential to improve home value.
Three simple decisions to improve home value
Traditional or modern?
Among the many decorative decisions you'll make when living in a property, there is one that is highly divisive: should you preserve the traditional or embrace the modern? For those living in a property, it's nothing more than a matter of opinion. For those preparing a home for the market, it can make a very concrete difference.
If you live in a period property brimming with original features, remember that you can only make the decision once; after the original floorboards have been replaced and the windows rebuilt, you can’t restore them. On the other hand, installing certain features may make the house more comfortable and easier to maintain.
For investors whose sole interest is the saleability of a property, period homes are often best left untouched, or at the very least lovingly restored. If a buyer wants to modernise, that's entirely their decision. In short, modernisation may not improve home value on a period property.
Verdant or minimalist?
As with internal modernisation, the decision of what to do with the garden is immaterial when you're living in a property. Whether you prefer to keep things minimal and sleek, or go for a fully landscaped English garden is entirely down to personal preference. For example a beautiful garden setting, can actually have a considerable impact on its value.
Shower or bath?
People often look to the bathroom as an opportunity to improve home value. While a quality suite and designer finishes can make a property more appealing, not all changes are guaranteed to push up the price. Anyone enlisting the help of an agent to value their house is bound to be asked whether they have a bath.
Removing the bath from your only bathroom could put off buyers, thus harming your valuation. But if you live in a large property with numerous bathrooms, swapping out a bathtub for a shower isn't going to be a problem.
If you're looking for someone to value your house, speak with our experienced marketing experts at Engel & Völkers for a free and non-binding valuation. Our procedure has its basis in decades of experience and a deep knowledge of local, national and international housing markets.