If you’re looking to sell your home soon, you’re probably already thinking about all the ways you can maximise your property’s value.
Unfortunately many renovations are both costly, and time consuming. And, if you undertake home improvements that cost hundreds of pounds, you have no guarantee that you’ll end up making that money back with your home sale.
However, there are some cheap (and easy) ways to improve your home, and boost your property’s value. In this article, we detail some of our favourite budget-friendly upgrades.
Updating kitchen cabinets
The kitchen is the traditional heart of the home, and it’s often the first place people think of when looking for ways to boost the value of their property. However, it’s also one of the most expensive places to upgrade.
In many cases it’s not practical to completely renovate your kitchen. It’s costly, and time consuming – and if you’re selling soon, there’s no guarantee that you’ll recoup the costs in full.
Giving your kitchen cabinets a refresh is a cheap way to make your kitchen look more modern. You can do this easily by repainting your cabinets, or by changing their handles.
Repainting works best on wooden cabinets, which can be sanded down for a smooth finish, but you may be able to achieve decent results on other materials too. Opt for satin, gloss, or semi-gloss paints for kitchen cabinets. These are more hard-wearing and easier to clean than matte finishes, so are more practical for such a heavily used space.
If repainting your cabinets is too large a job, start by just changing the handles. It may seem like a very small thing, but you can completely change the look of a kitchen this way.
If you’re looking for an innovative, playful vibe, try something like leather pull handles. For a more classic look, stainless steel or wooden handles remain interior design favourites.
Garden
Gardens are also key to a property’s value. Research by Rightmove found that access to a garden was a priority for over 60% of buyers searching for their new home. This demand is increasing too.
The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) spoke to property professionals throughout the UK, and 80% said that they expected demand for gardens to grow over the next two years. So, if you’re lucky enough to have a garden, maximising its appeal is an easy way to boost the value of your home.
Luckily this is super simple. Research has found that the most appealing gardens are: practical, secure, and low maintenance. Simple, well-kept gardens make it easy for potential buyers to project their own vision onto the space. Plus, most people aren’t actually that green-fingered, and can be put off my overly landscaped gardens.
Some of the best upgrades you can make include: basic tidying of the garden; ensuring your lawn is weeded, neatly bordered, and attractively mown; and make sure any decking or flagstones are clean and in good condition.
Garden shed
Once you have this solid foundation in place, those with slightly more space, or a larger budget, can give the value of their property an extra boost with the addition of a garden shed.
In RICS’ survey of estate agents, sheds were found to be the garden feature that adds the most value. This is because extra storage is always seen as incredibly valuable. This is particularly the case if it has the potential for use as a studio or office space.
Cleaning
Cleaning might not seem like an ‘upgrade’, but giving special attention to particular parts of your home can make a huge difference. Your focus should be on the places that don’t get cleaned regularly or thoroughly, such as:
Windows
Cleaning your windows is a quick task that will instantly make your room feel brighter and cleaner. Simply wipe with a mixture of diluted washing up liquid and warm water, and dry in a circular motion with a microfibre cloth, to get a professional quality, streak-free finish.
Mirrors
Freshly cleaned mirrors make a room look larger and brighter, by reflecting natural light throughout the space. Larger, lighter rooms are naturally more attractive to potential buyers, and can do a lot to boost the appeal (and therefore the value) of your home. You can clean mirrors in the same way as you would windows – but be careful to protect any flooring under them!
Grout
Your house might be beautifully presented, but your bathroom will reveal tell-tale signs about whether your home has been well looked after. For example, common problems like mould, damp, or discoloured grout can be signs that your bathroom isn’t very well ventilated . On the other hand, if your grout looks clean, it’ll make your whole bathroom look smarter and more hygienic.
Shower Curtains
Discoloured and mildewy shower curtains are one of the easiest buyer turn-offs to rectify. Many shower curtains can now simply be put in the washing machine with normal detergent, and hung to dry. However, if your shower curtain is particularly discoloured, it may be worth just replacing it. There are many affordable options available on the market.
