Invest in home improvements to add value to your property

Home owners are always looking for ways to add value to their property. The least expensive way is to decorate regularly and do all those little maintenance jobs that keep the gutters clear and the windows wind and water-tight.

But if you really want to add thousands to a potential sale price, you need to think big and consider more radical improvements.

10 great ways to improve your home and impress viewers

Here are the 10 top things you can do to improve your property and impress potential buyers:

Put on an extension. Depending on how much space you have, an extension can add extra rooms or extend living or kitchen space in inventive ways. However you imagine that new space, make sure you get planning permission in place.

Replace your kitchen. A brand-new kitchen no longer has to cost the earth thanks to the likes of those Swedish flatpack heroes. But you can also transform this room by simply replacing kitchen unit doors, leaving the carcasses in place. Or have the doors re-laminated to create a fresh, new look.

Landscape the garden. According to personal finance lender Zopa, spending time and money on your garden will bring a return of 88 percent on your investment. If you have a front garden, it’s the first thing a buyer will see when they come to view your place. Flourishing flower beds, a well-maintained lawn and neat surroundings will create the right impression.

Fix the roof. It’s likely to be an expensive outlay, but if your property is an older one, there’s a good chance some roof tiles have gone awol. Missing slates will allow in water that will in turn rot the wooden roof trusses. Regular maintenance of your roof will tell potential buyers this is a property that will stand the test of time.

Replace old carpets. That Axminster that was laid three decades ago might still have a pile to die for. But unfortunately it’s carrying 30 years’ worth of odours, too. New carpeting, hardwood flooring or tiling can transform a home from a faded relic into a modern classic.

Add a conservatory. The old image of a glass room at the back of the house that was too hot in summer and too cold in winter have been banished by the smart construction used in conservatories now. Yes, you will have to sacrifice some garden space, but in return, you get an extra room for dining, entertaining and relaxing. And with the likes of solar-control glazing, this is a room you can use all year round. Not every conservatory requires planning permission, but check what the local rules are for your area before you start.

Take care of the exterior. Whether that’s applying a fresh coat of paint, cleaning up window frames or putting on a new front door, the outside of your property should look its Sunday best every day of the week.

Think about a loft conversion. That dead space above your head can be put to good use for a reasonable outlay. Again, check with the planning authorities for what you can and cannot do, but you could be sitting underneath a potential goldmine.

Change the bathroom. Yes, avocado suites were once the height of fashion. But. That was then and this is now. Today buyers want a blank canvas on to which they can project their own tastes. So a plain white suite with neutral tiling is the way to go.

Create an open-plan kitchen/dining/living area. Bright, airy living spaces are hugely attractive to buyers, so if it’s possible, think about how you can achieve that in your property. Don’t go knocking down walls willy-nilly – that way lies madness and collapsed ceilings. Get advice from the professionals who will know exactly what’s required.