Whether you are planning to sell your house now or want to invest for a potential future sale, it is good idea to make your house as valuable as possible. We all know of the most common ways to add value to your house, but what about the unusual tips and tricks that will help make you stand out on the market? Here are some strange but easy ways to add value to your property. But first, let’s take a few step backwards and look at the unusual things that make a house valuable to help you choose wisely before you buy.
What can add value to a property?
- Rights to fish
If a property is located next to a river, it’s very likely to be more valuable.
- Upmarket brands in the area
The “Waitrose effect” is a well-known phenomenon. Other upmarket brands will also help to add value to your property if it’s located nearby, such as Marks and Spencer or HOB salons.
- A good pub
According to a national survey, up to a third of buyers would check to see if their chosen property is near a good pub before making an offer. Therefore, this is something to consider when buying a property in future, as this can help to add value to your home in the long-run.
- A popular sports venues
Big sporting venues will inevitably make your property much more valuable. Whether it be the home of England rugby, Twickenham Stadium, popular tennis venue Wimbledon or even Tottenham Hotspur’s brand-new £1 billion football stadium, each can add interest to your home.
- Hill houses
Let’s be honest, who doesn’t like a hill view? Properties that have ‘hill’ in their name are worth almost twice as much as those who don’t, says a survey done by Zoopla.
- Close to farmers’ market
People love buying fresh produce, especially with the rise of Veganism in the UK. As a result, if there is a farmers’ market nearby, chances are properties will be more expensive – £87,000 in fact, according to research.
- Celebrity factor
If a celebrity has lived in a house – whether it’s a musician, politician, actor or singer – your home will adorn a prestigious blue plaque. This small sign has the potential to boost house prices significantly and make your property more valuable.
How improve your property and add value to your home
Now that we know what to look for before we buy, it’s time to do some research on how you can improve your property’s curb appeal to make it more attractive to potential buyers.
- Smart technology
Technology is constantly evolving, as a result your house should keep up with it as much as possible to make your home as appealing as possible. Installing new tech will not only make your life considerably easier, it also has the ability to add value to your property too. Consider installing voice activated lights, adding security cameras or being able to control your heating through an app on your phone.
- Trim your trees
One unusual way of making your property more valuable is to keep the trees on and surrounding your property tidy. This shows potential buyers that the street is well-kept and adds to the overall value of the property.
- Get rid of the carpet
Today carpets are becoming a thing of the past. Getting rid of the carpet is a quirky and easy modification that will add substantial value to your home – especially when replaced with stylish wooden floorboards.
- Add attic insulation
April Palomino, a Florida based realtor from Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate, says that you can see a 108% to 115% return on investment if you decide to add attic insulation. Nobody likes to feel a draught in their home whilst trying to relax or sleep. As a result, adding an attic insulation will save you the pain whilst adding substantial value to your house.
- Choose colours wisely
Colour plays an important role in the world we live in, so much so it can sway thinking, change actions, and cause reactions. Therefore, pay careful attention to your property’s colour scheme. Good colour schemes and patterns can make a place look more spacious which can help to add value to your home!
- Steel entry doors
Whilst looking clean and sleek from the outside, steel entry doors will help to increase the security of your home. This will make it more appealing to potential buyers and will add to the value of the property.
- Exterior lighting
Choosing the right kind of lighting for the exterior of your home can make your property increase in value. After all, a well-lit exterior not only invites buyers, it also discourages burglars – a win-win.
Recessed light fittings, such as spotlights, will also make your house look nicer, brighter and more expensive. In addition, add value to your home by replacing old light switches and plug sockets with subtle covers to suit your interior design. Remember, the devil is in the details.
Feature image credit: Rawpizel.com