Property experts believe the overall market is set to rise by small amounts for the foreseeable – most likely by 2% to 3% per year. This means that owning a home in itself won’t earn you sufficient equity to move on to the next rung of the property ladder.

Homeowners will need to be proactive if they want to create some extra value in their property and there are several ways of doing this:

 

1. Bifold doors

Bifold doors are the designers’ choice – you only have to watch any home makeover programme to see how popular they are. They let the maximum amount of light into the property, while providing privacy when required. They can turn your garden into an extension of your room, creating a feeling of greater space. Their slim profile is less noticeable than traditional French or patio doors, so they enable maximum visibility, without compromising on strength and security.

 

They require minimum maintenance, so they will look great for years with very little effort. They fold away neatly to allow free movement from one room to the next or out into the garden. A low threshold choice can be ideal for less able-bodied people who can’t manage a high step. Weatherproof and thermally efficient, despite their slim-profile they are also secure, thanks to today’s contemporary locks.

 

2. Loft conversion

Add an extra bedroom and bathroom by converting your loft, which doesn’t have to be disruptive, as much of the work can be carried out by gaining access from outside. The key is making sure the conversion is in keeping with the rest of the house and doesn’t look like it’s been grafted on as an afterthought. The floor joists will need strengthening and this raises the floor level, so ensure you check first that there will be sufficient height for you to stand up afterwards. A survey by mortgage lender GE Money stated that a loft conversion could add an average of 12.5% to a property’s selling price.

 

3. Revamp your kitchen

The kitchen is the heart of the home and as such, it needs to be the showpiece area if you’re looking to impress potential buyers. It’s not only a place where we cook, it’s also somewhere to watch television, do homework, hold dinner parties or have a coffee with friends. A priority should be creating an aesthetically-pleasing and efficient work surface, where there’s easy access to crucial equipment such as the cooker, fridge and sink.

 

If your kitchen is stuck in the 20th century, install modern equipment (fridge and cooker) so it doesn’t look dated. Make sure the décor is bright and welcoming. A tatty kitchen can actually drag down your house’s value, so it’s well worth your while investing in a refurbishment.

 

4. Spruce up the exterior

When you’re looking at a house built in the 1950s, ’60s or ’70s, the last thing you want to see is old, weather-beaten brickwork. A simple and effective improvement is to render the brickwork, giving the property a more modern feel. Also, replace old roof tiles and make sure the drainpipes, gutter and exterior paintwork doesn’t look unkempt. Paint the front door or replace it if it’s beyond redemption. Make sure your fence is crisp and clean and keep the garden in a tidy state. Don’t have overgrown grass, weeds in the flowerbeds and an untidy hedge. These may seem like relatively small enhancements but they create a good overall impression.

 

5. En-suite bathrooms

Most of today’s new-build houses routinely fit en-suite bathrooms to a couple of the bedrooms but if you live in an older house, you may have only one bathroom serving four bedrooms. Add another bathroom, such as an en-suite to the master bedroom. If there’s enough room, add a downstairs bathroom as well. Older houses, particularly larger ones, often have space you can utilise under the staircase that may be just a cupboard used as a dumping ground for coats. This can be transformed into a small bathroom, even if it’s only big enough for a hand-wash basin and a WC.

 

Fit a heated towel rail, new taps and a power-shower in your existing bathroom. If you have a shower curtain, this can look dated and is prone to mildew, so add a glass shower screen instead.

 

There’s no need to spend a fortune to add extra value to your home. A good rule of thumb is to imagine what you would like to see if you were viewing a property. You don’t need to go crazy – such as installing a swimming pool in the garden! Stick to the essentials that will make everyday life more pleasant and work your way through the house, one job at a time.

 

Slide or Fold manufactures and installs aluminium bifold doors – we can also provide aluminium windows as an accompanying product. With more than 30 years’ experience in the industry, our meticulously-crafted bespoke products will enhance any home. Please contact us to find out how we can improve the value of your property.