The Home 'Improvements' To Avoid When Selling

Have you been thinking of making improvements to your home to increase its value? The current property market is proving to be more resilient than experts thought. Despite the current economic turmoil, house prices aren’t dropping at the projected rate, leaving homeowners looking to secure a top price for their homes.

Some homeowners choose to complete major home improvements before placing their house on the market, while many of these improvements will add value but not all will actually increase the home’s value.

To give you some guidance as to which improvements add value and which don’t here’s our advice…

Home Cinema

We could be showing our age here, but if you’ve ever watched the MTV show Cribs you’ll appreciate the appeal of a home cinema room. Once only seen in the homes of the rich and famous, cinema rooms have become a popular addition to larger properties however the costs to install a home cinema in today’s current market can potentially reduce your sale income.

Shower Install

Research has shown that the majority of people prefer a shower to a bath, however replacing a bath with a standalone shower in the family bathroom costs on average £2,765 and can actually reduce the value of your home by 2%.

Attic & Basement Conversion

Attic conversions are extremely popular, particularly in densely populated areas but they come with a huge expense of around £37,000. This means that even though it can add up to 10.8% value it still results in a £5,410 loss in sale profit. Basement conversions or wine cellars also tell the same story so unless you’re adding this conversion for your lifestyle steer clear.

Solar Panels

Solar panels are a great addition to your property if you’re staying for a long time, if you’re planning on moving home in the near future, they will add little value to your property. Our advice is to consider your long-term plans before making this home improvement.

Landscaped Gardens

Rather than paying to improve your garden through landscaping, we suggest that you take some time to tidy your outdoor space leaving it looking as appealing as possible to potential buyers.

For those of you who want to ensure that your home improvements actually add value, we recommend that you stick to these proven upgrades.

Garage Conversions

Converting your garage into a functional space is a very profitable way to increase your home’s value and return. Whether it’s an office, gym, or additional bedroom when home staging for sale, give the room a function to appeal to potential buyers.

Garden Room

During the pandemic, garden rooms became extremely popular. In addition to adding space to your home, it can also boost your profit by £12,693. Garden rooms can be marketed as office space for those working from home, a gym, a workshop or simply a man cave/bar for those who love to entertain!

Open-plan Living

Closed-plan homes can inhibit interaction, whereas open-plan spaces combine the most important rooms in the home to create a large space to connect and socialise. Open-plan living is here to stay and is extremely popular with potential buyers.

Before you take on any large home improvement with the aim to increase your home’s value it’s always a good idea to get a current market-led valuation and discuss your ideas with a professional. Our sales team are on hand to offer advice and support even before you’ve decided to sell! To book a valuation call our team on 01633 870 777.