How to add value to your home in five easy steps

If you’re keen to work your way up the property ladder, you’ll need to know how you can best maximise the value of where you live currently. From transforming your garden with Ashridge Nurseries to adding extra living space, below are five ways to add value to your home:

Transform your garage
If you don’t use your garage for your car, turn it into another living space. According to the Daily Mail, a study by RAC Home Insurance concludes that nearly half of Britain’s garages are no longer being used for their original purpose. Instead, they’re being used for gardening equipment, clutter, or the better option, a converted living space. Adding an extra living space within your home or extending your kitchen space further will add much more value.

Make the kitchen your priority
If you are going to focus on one space within your home, make it the kitchen. This is the central hub of the home and therefore the one you should add the most value to. For small budgets, changing the design and colour can help, or even just adding new cupboards. For bigger budgets, revamping it completely with modern fittings and surfaces will definitely add to the value. Just make sure the cost of the kitchen suits the cost of the house. For example, there is no point putting a kitchen worth £25,000 in a £250,000 house, and a £10,000 kitchen in a £1 million house.

Convert the loft
Adding an extra bedroom in the loft can add around 9 to 10 per cent to the value of your home, especially if you can add a bathroom in too. An extra bedroom or even space for an office is highly desirable to many buyers. It is important to make sure there is easy access to the loft and that the conversion suits the rest of the property.

Concentrate on the garden
A garden that has been taken care of, and even landscaped, can really add the wow factor to your home and real value. According to The Telegraph, figures from Homebase show that Brits have invested more than £80bn in their gardens. Two fifths of Britons say they wouldn’t even consider buying a home if it didn’t have a big enough garden, while one in seven says the garden has added to its value. Spend time investing in your garden and it will pay off.

Spruce up the front
Even though you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, when it comes to house buying, we all do. Before they even reach the front door buyers decide whether they like a property so it’s vital to pay attention to the exterior. An attractive front door is a must, while regular maintenance such as cleaning drains, wood repairs and making sure paintwork is in top condition will save you money in the long run. If you have a front garden, ensure it is vibrant, weed free and the grass is cut nicely.

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