Best way to add value to a home

pearson27

hi all

if you wanted to do up your house with the aim of adding value (if such a thing is possible in this day and age) would you:

Decorate

or

do up the garden - this would involve turning a car port at the rear of the house into a garden type area using fake gress, decking or paving etc

thanks in advance

Dan-Dan

I dont think either will add value , just help to `keep` the value , i.e help it sell ahead of others at the time

also , are you sure removing car parking (assuming its a used carport) wouldnt devaule the property

Ninnut85

It would depend on the current state of the home.
When I bought my house it hadn't been decorated since the 1970's and the price I paid reflected that.
I have since installed a new kitchen, bathroom, had a rewire, had all new DG fitted, new carpets and redecorated throughout.
I had it revalued and it was indeed worth more than what I paid for it 3 years ago.
If your house is currently already in a pretty modern condition then there is less you can do to add value.

pearson27

thanks for a quick reply

we arent looking to sell - more maintain value/add where we can if we remortgage

the carport isnt really used at the moment and this is a bit of a forever home so no real need to be concerned on that front

pearson27

the current decor is fine but a bit plain/blank canvas

Dan-Dan

Really , adding value in any meaningful way , as opposed to maintaining value , is going to be by way of an extension , or alterations that add space , or the illusion of space at least , that better your competitons offerings , probably a good conservatory as well , or go up in the loft ?

macman

Install mains gas CH, if not already present.

I_have_spoken

OP, not sure of your motives, i.e. remortgaging on a 'forever' house.

Usua value adds -

D/G all around
Gas C/H with decent controller
New kitchen and bathroom
Conservatory
En-suite/extra bedroom
Loft conversion
Landscape garden

pearson27

Hi, remortgage as in borrow more against the house

phoebe1989seb

We did the following to our last property, which was a detached, previously extended Tudor house that hadn't been touched since the 1980s -

Re-wired
New hand painted timber kitchen with granite w/tops & £2k range
New shower room
Addition of en suite bathroom (with free-standing bath)
Garden re-landscaped
Removal of manky carpets to expose original oak flooring throughout
Redecoration throughout inside & out

This didn't add a penny to the value.....although it did increase saleability as we accepted an offer within a fortnight.....

cattie

Personally unless the decorating is very dated, say pre 80's, with fake wall cladding, polystyrene tiles etc. I can't see either actually adding any value. Decoration is a personal thing anyway & somebody's ideal of beautifully decorated can be somebody elses absolute nightmare.