We all love thinking our homes have increased in value. Even if we’re in our forever homes, if we see a ‘For Sale’ board go up on our neighbour’s house, we have a sneaky look on the estate agent’s website to see how much it’s going for as a guide to how much our own homes are worth. (Of course, we also have a sneaky look just to nose at their decor.)
If your house is in a more rural environment where the houses in your road are all different, you might not get a true comparison, but if you’re in a more urban area where the houses all look the same, and you’re looking at a website for an estate agent in Hammersmith, for example, you can get a good guide of what your house is worth.
If you’re thinking of selling in the future though, there are improvements you can make to your house to not only increase its value but to make it a nicer environment for you while you’re still living there.
Let’s have a look at some of the most popular ways to increase the value of your home.
Cellar conversion
If you’ve got a cellar, lucky you. Are you making the most of it though, or do you just use it for storage?
A cellar makes a perfect home gym – after all, you’re not at risk of your treadmill crashing through the ceiling just as you’re about to get a 5K PB.
If the gym isn’t your thing, you could convert your cellar into a wine cellar or simply use it as an extra bedroom.
The great thing about converting a cellar is that unless it’s a listed building, you won’t need planning permission.
Whatever you do with it, renovating it to be a useful, functioning room will only increase the value of your home and make it more attractive to potential buyers.
Attic conversion
If you haven’t got a cellar, you probably have an attic (unless you live in a flat with neighbours above you, of course).
Attic conversions have long been a popular way for homeowners to increase the value of their property.
Attic conversions are perfect for a home office, study, den, playroom, hobby room, or another bedroom or two with en-suite bathroom.
Unlike cellars, you may need planning permission for an attic conversion but this will depend on the type of conversion you go for.
Conservatory
A conservatory is always a plus point to potential buyers and will definitely increase the value of your home.
Conservatories let in a lot of light and bring a bit of the outdoors indoors.
They come in all sizes to suit all budgets but always add value to your home in more ways than one.
Garden building
With many more people working remotely, garden offices have become hugely popular. As with conservatories, garden buildings come in all sizes to suit all budgets. Of course, you don’t have to use a garden building as a home office – they can be used as a home gym (again, as with a gym in a cellar, you haven’t got any danger of heavy equipment falling through the ceiling), craft room, writing shed or as a treatment room for a beauty business.
A garden building is so much more than a posh shed. They can be insulated, wired up to electricity and used in just the same way as you would use a room inside your house.
We’re not going to lie, these additions to your home aren’t cheap. But you will not only enjoy these home improvements while you’re still living in your property but you’ll get your money back and more when or if you sell in the future.
