UPGRADING TO SELL: 5 HOME IMPROVEMENTS WITH BIG PAY-OFFS

UPGRADING TO SELL: 5 HOME IMPROVEMENTS WITH BIG PAY-OFFS

If you want to boost your sale price and increase your buying power for your next move, finding ways to add value to your home is a super smart idea.

From a purely financial perspective, upgrading to sell means focusing on improvements that turn your home into a magnet for your target buyer – it’s all about meeting a demand.

With that in mind, we’ve put together a hotlist of popular choices from some of the best homes in Cheshire we’ve sold, so let’s explore the ins and outs of:

• Remodelling your kitchen

• Converting your loft

• Adding an extension

• Installing a garden room

• Exterior upgrades

There’s truth in the saying that “money makes money”, and by investing in the right upgrades, you can elevate your living experience now and turn a greater profit whenever you decide to sell.

 

REMODELLING YOUR KITCHEN

Kitchens are the modern hub of the home, evolving from mere cooking duties to entertaining, working, and hanging out. Buyers love sociable kitchens, and they make a beeline for ones that are a joy to eat in.

So, how do you do this? Well, you have options!

• Knocking together the kitchen and an adjoining room, extending into a side return if you have one, or adding extra length to provide a spacious open-plan environment.

• A glass wall of bifolding doors spilling out onto your patio or garden is one of today’s aspirational design statements, as are skylights in the roof line to shower everything in light.

 

• Ensure your plans include plenty of cupboard space, full-size appliances including a side-by-side fridge/freezer, and a sizeable dining table that comfortably fits the space.

Finally, it’s essential that the finished look and your investment reflect your target market. Going cheap can devalue your home, while overspending can be tough to recoup. Call us for tips on what works.

 

CONVERTING YOUR LOFT 

Loft conversions are one of the most popular home improvements that can add significant space and value by optimising your home’s existing footprint without a lengthy planning process.

 

• You’ll get the best return from a luxury bedroom with an en-suite bathroom and a rear dormer window. Other simpler options include a playroom, den, wellness space, or office.

• A proper staircase will add more value than a ladder or paddle stairs, as will having a door into the room for privacy rather than leaving it open to the house below.

• When choosing where to install skylights in the roof, think about whether their location would interfere with a potential future spot for solar panels.

 

Most loft conversions are treated as permitted development and only require building regulations sign-off, but check with your local authority first for any conditions specific to your home and street.

 

ADDING AN EXTENSION

More floor space and more rooms not only increase the value of your home; they’re also an opportunity to redefine its functionality, flow and design to give it a whole new character.

• Unused or underutilised space at the side of your home can be a fantastic opportunity to expand with a new living area, home office, bedroom, or even a rentable annexe with its own door.

• The space over a garage is prime real estate for building on to create extra bedrooms or bathrooms, boosting your home’s capacity without sacrificing any outdoor space.

• If you have a large rear garden, a two-storey extension could provide a substantial and perfectly balanced increase in living and bedroom space, or separate sections for multi-generational living.

Remember that larger extensions require planning permission, which includes satisfying considerations like the right to light of neighbours, and how your plans will affect the appearance of the street.

 

INSTALLING A GARDEN ROOM

For a completely different take on adding more space, a well-thought-out garden room can be a truly valuable addition. And with no stairs to reach it, a highly accessible one as well.

 

• Consider long-term flexibility – even if you only need an office or studio now, you or a buyer might want a teenage den, an annexe for elderly relatives, or even a holiday let in the future.

• This means insulation, heat, light and power as a minimum. If you don’t require a kitchen or bathroom yet, it’s smart to lay the groundwork by connecting the water supply.

• Be mindful of sacrificing too much of your garden if you don’t have sprawling lawns – outside space remains at a premium, so choose a size-appropriate design.

Ultimately, for the best return on your investment, a garden cabin needs to be a flexible and future-proof addition that’s comfortable, convenient, and offers multiple possibilities for buyers.

 

EXTERIOR RENOVATIONS

Despite exterior works being the least disruptive to carry out, the idea of them often turns buyers off. They can be the difference between selling and sticking, and these are the areas to look at:

 

• If you’re one of the last 10% of homes in the UK that isn’t double-glazed, you’re falling behind the expectations of buyers. Frames made of wood or metal are a better sell than UPVC.

• Repainting the existing outside paintwork like the front door, window frames and render, repointing damaged brickwork, and repairing cracked masonry.

 

• Check your roof covering for repairs or even replacement, and examine rainwater goods for any worn-out, broken, or unattached parts.

• Is parking difficult in your street? Creating an off-street parking space in your front garden can be very profitable, and including an EV charging point is a smart, future-proofing measure.

 

As with every home on the market, kerb appeal matters a great deal. From photos to drive-bys to viewings, creating an arresting first impression is always an investment worth making.

 

Are you thinking about upgrading to sell?

There’s a lot to think about, and we’d love to help with expert guidance on what truly resonates with buyers looking for homes in Cheshire.

Call us on 01565 318 622 or email us at enquiries@lordandporter.com for a no-strings chat, and let’s unlock your home’s untapped potential together.