15 tips for adding value to your property

Selling your property may seem like a daunting task but it doesn’t have to be that way. If you’re looking to sell your home, the likelihood is that you want the biggest price as you can get for it, and who can blame you?

There are cheap and easy ways to add value to your property and if you really want to maximise your property’s assets, there are some changes that can be made that will bump up its price considerably. However, if you don’t have the time or money to make changes for your house sale, you are able to sell it for cash directly to Open Property Group who will buy any property.

1. One of the biggest value adding tips we can give you is to add or update the central heating system of your property as this will always add more to the value than it will cost to update or install. It’s considered an essential by most buyers and mortgage lenders. Hiring a plumber to install central heating to an average three-bedroom house will cost around £3,000-£4,000.
2. Another tip for adding value is to convert the roof space. The average loft conversion costs around £500-600/m², whilst an extension would cost around twice that amount. It’s a great investment as it adds more accommodation.
3. When you think of adding value to your property you may think of adding a touch of luxury. The ideal way to do so is to makeover existing bathrooms. Ensure that at least one bathroom has a shower, as this is often an essential for most buyers.
4. A makeover to the garden is also one of the biggest value adding features and it will also make your property more sellable, which will speed up your house sale. Attractive, tidy and well-designed gardens are of huge interest to potential buyers. Most people are big on privacy so adding fences and mature trees will also increase value. If you’re really looking to push the boat out, create little areas for each function, i.e. seating, storage, lawn, eating/barbecue.
5. Though it may seem surprising, scrapping your garage can add value to your home. Most of our garages are used as a dumping ground for old tools and bric-a-brac and 90% of British garages don’t even contain a car. A conversion into a living space costs around £10,000 but the selling value added will be far more than that. Calculate this by multiplying square footage added by the local price per square foot.
6. Storage space is a huge selling point and you’d be surprised by how much lack of storage space can decrease your property’s value. Add shelves and create cupboards, look for concealed nooks in corridors, under stairs space, space above sinks, space beneath the bath tub or alongside cisterns and unused wall space for mounted cupboards.
7. One of the cheapest ways to add value to your property is with a lick of paint. It’s so simple and freshly painted rooms will look clean and updated, both of which equate to value. Be sure to stick to a neutral palette as this will appeal to a wider audience and make it easier for potential buyers to envisage their own touch on the home.
8. Another cheap, yet very effective way to add value to your home is by installing a water filtration system in your kitchen. A small luxury that potential buyers will love.
9. An energy-efficient home will also be a more valuable and much more marketable asset, particularly in the long run. Many local utility companies will provide free energy audits to customer’s homes which will give you full knowledge of how to maximise the energy efficiency of your property.
10. First impressions really are everything and with a few cheap and cheerful changes, you can make sure the front of your house looks the part. A new doorknob, brass letterbox and stainless steel house number can be purchased for around £70 and will be well worth the extra cost. Take inspiration from other people’s front doors, you get some great ideas that way.
11. Inside the property, first impressions are still key and the hallway will be the first thing the buyer sees. Halls can often be confined so adding a mirror onto either side of the wall will make it seem way bigger than it is. It’s simple yet so effective.
12. One of the easiest tips we can give you is to simply ensure your house is sparkling clean during any viewings, as this is the best way to make you’re your interior shines through. You can do this yourself or hire a cleaning service, just make sure nothing is overlooked.
13. Decluttering is another easy method that will add value to your home. Getting rid of excess clutter will make your home seem more spacious thus adding value. It will also allow potential buyers to envisage their own touch on the place.
14. Something as easy as ensuring the maintenance of your property is up to date will also help to speed up the sale and add value. Sort out the likes of dripping taps and squeaky floorboards and buyers won’t be turned off.
15. Style your home with furniture and put accessories such as flowers and lamps in every room. This will help give buyers a better idea of what they can do with the property and give it a homely feel.

BONUS TIP: Estate agents often say that kitchens and bathrooms sell houses, but upgrading both can become very expensive.

One way to modernize your kitchen without breaking the bank is to sand down your existing kitchen cabinets and repaint them. You'll be surprised what a transformation it can make!

This tip, including many others, comes from Property Workshop's 31 Home Improvements that Add Value (and 7 that don't).