Add to the Value of Your House with These Home Improvements

Whether you are just thinking about remodeling your house or you are thinking about selling your property, you can add to the value of your house with these home improvements.

If you are remodeling your home, or you are planning on selling your property in the near future, then you have several options for increasing the value of your home. There are some home improvements that look good at first glance, but that are expensive and that are not particularly desirable to prospective buyers. The following home improvements are practical, useful, and good for adding value to your home.

Remodel the Kitchen But Pay Attention to the Design

The kitchen is the busiest room in the house, which makes it a great candidate for remodeling. One of the reasons that this home improvement is so valuable is that you can get back between 60 and 80 percent of the investment. You will also save a lot of money on your energy bills, so if you plan on staying in the property for a while after the remodeling is done you should make your money back quickly.

Try to make sure that the design you opt for matches the rest of your home. If your kitchen design clashes with the rest of the house this could drive away prospective buyers. Built-in appliances are a good choice if you are not sure what to invest in. In addition, it is a good idea to talk to an interior designer for ideas.

Find Some Unused Space in Your Home and Think About Adding a Bathroom

Installing a second bathroom is another good investment, one that could increase the value of your home by 80 percent of the investment, or alternatively if you are able to do some of the work yourself even as much as 100 percent of the investment.

If you plan on doing this, then you will need to look for a space that you can turn into the second bathroom. An unused bedroom is a good option, or possibly even the space under your stairs. You need 18 square feet for a bathtub, as a minimum, but the more space you have the better.

Reinventing an Existing Room Can Be a Great Idea if Done Right

Taking an existing room and re-inventing this is an affordable way to add value to your property. It can also be much more practical than expanding your home if you don’t have a lot of money. However, if you plan on doing this you should think carefully about current fashions and the kinds of things that people want to use a room for. Adding space could price your home out of the market, making an open plan room or repurposing a spare room is far less likely to do this.

Consider turning a garage into a habitable room, or converting the attic or the basement into a bedroom or a small guest area. Even if you are not planning on moving out of your house at the moment this is a good option because it will give you the option to rent out that room, allowing you to recoup the investment relatively quickly.

If you are not sure whether you are making a good investment, talk to an estate agent before you start tearing down walls or making massive changes to the layout of your home. They will be able to offer some insight into the sorts of things that most buyers are interested in.