Adding value to your home is always a sensible way to spend your time.
House prices are still considerably higher than they were before the Covid-19 pandemic started, with monthly rises still surprising market experts. In such a hot market, increasing the value of your home could help you preserve your asset.
But part of the future-proofing process involves adding innovative technologies and contemporary features within your interior.
Amid sky-high interest rates, giving your house more appeal – and extending that appeal to a wider audience – could help it resist plummeting home sales.
Giving your home a new lease of life doesn’t need to involve extensive renovations, either.
Whether you’re planning to sell this year, or you’ve got some spare time on your hands, it’s always worth knowing some of the most lucrative features to add to your property.
Which features add the most value to a property?
Eco-friendly features
Sustainable home décor is not only trendy but encourages prospective buyers to make higher offers too. From natural fibres to sustainable heating technologies, there are several ways to improve the eco-credentials of your property.
Energy efficiency is a brilliant area to focus on. With the help of government incentives like the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, you can even make your improvements more cost-effective now and profit from them in the future.
According to a recent survey by fitted furniture experts Hammonds, the average buyer would be willing to spend an extra £3,555 on their new property if it already had solar panels installed.
Storage space
Many couples and young families move house purely to live somewhere with more storage space. And Brits are willing to pay for this added convenience too, with the average house hunter willing to spend an additional £3,597 on a house with lots of storage space.
Additionally, survey respondents would fork out another £3,408 on average for a property with built-in storage included.
From walk-in wardrobes to clever bay window storage solutions, it’s worth exploring the different types of fitted furniture that could boost your property’s overall value.
Gardens and kerb appeal
According to the exclusive findings from Hammonds’ survey, one in ten Brits said that they would be willing to offer £15,000 over the asking price to secure a home that has a garden.
There are so many ways to make the outside of your property appeal more to prospective buyers. Here are a few of our top tips for ensuring foolproof kerb appeal:
- Keep your lawn healthy by mowing it regularly and keeping it free of weeds, clutter, and children’s play equipment.
- Grow potted plants and arrange them carefully, choosing varieties that complement your garden or patio area and keeping them maintained.
- Paint the front door to make every first impression count, giving your home an instantly warm and welcoming aura.
An outdoor home office
A new feature rising in popularity is also a garden office. Remote workers not only crave sunlight while they work, but part of the attraction is being able to create some physical distance between areas for work and relaxation.
If you’re designing an outbuilding to be used as a home office in the future, you should try to let your creativity guide your choices.
Natural materials like timber give an effortless rustic cabin effect, while paying homage to local bricks or slate could help to enhance the overall character of your property. Make the space practical, roomy, and fully connected too.
A smooth, tidy driveway
Lastly, never underestimate the value of a private parking space – especially if your property is in an urban environment or on the outskirts of town.
Respondents to Hammonds’ survey confessed that they’d be willing to spend at least £4,000 extra for a driveway, although it’s reasonable to believe that this figure could increase in commuter towns.
If you’re building a new driveway, try to make it smooth, clean and attractive, tucking it closely to the front of the house while still leaving valuable space for some greenery.
Overview
In this economy, you need to make your home as appealing as possible if you’re planning to sell it at asking price.
Focus on the features that real buyers look for, paying close attention to the demands of the modern family and remote working parents too.
