Top Ten Home Improvements

2 New kitchen and bathroom

Creating parking space

For many buyers, space for a car is a must-have. Off road parking or a garage can be especially advantageous in areas where parked cars line both sides on the street. Again, you need to think about your market. If you're selling a five-bed suburban home, it's likely your buyers will need to store one or two vehicles. A flat in the middle of the city is a different matter.
Nationwide's figures show that adding a garage, which can cost anything between £8,000 and £25,000, can increase the value of your property by 11%.

Putting in a new bathroom

Bathrooms can quickly look shabby and dated. A new one could set you back thousands, but it's possible to get a decent suite for £500. Don't feel you have to stick to the tried and tested combination of toilet, bath and shower. En-suite shower rooms and wet rooms are increasingly popular.
If you're competing with newer properties then consider adding or re-arranging rooms to increase the bathroom-to-bedroom ratio. These days, even small properties tend to be built with an en-suite leading from the master bedroom in addition to a main bathroom.

Making over the garden

Don't neglect outdoor space during a property spruce-up. Gardens can be a room, or several rooms, in themselves. Remember, first impressions count, so cast a critical eye over the approach to your home. A mere £50 will cover a few pots or hanging baskets and a tin of paint for the front door.
In the back garden, consider your potential buyers. Busy professionals might be tempted by low-maintenance paving, but families benefit from a patch of grass to frolic on. Barbeques, outdoor furniture and subtle lighting suggest a laid-back al-fresco lifestyle. Simple but attractive planting won't scare off amateurs and will give expert gardeners room to make their mark.

Painting and decorating

Even without dramatic structural changes, good presentation can have a real impact on the amount buyers are prepared to pay. Painting and decorating was ranked an equal second (alongside a new kitchen) in the Halifax valuers list of improvements likely to add value.
It may be tricky, but getting your property ready for sale means depersonalising it. Clutter can distract viewers and kitchens and bathrooms should be spotlessly clean. A splash of paint can do wonders; neutral tones are the safest bet. Keep it simple, fresh and inviting. Wafting around the aroma of baking bread every time someone steps in the door might give the impression you're trying a bit too hard.

Re-fitting the kitchen

Kitchens suffer serious wear and tear during their lifetime, and a new one can add real wow factor to a property. Valuers in the Halifax survey placed a modern fitted kitchen second (after a loft conversion) in their list of home improvements most likely to add value.
Again it's important to think things through and weigh up the cost of improvement against the overall value of your home. You can easily spend tens of thousands on a top-of-the-range kitchen, but somewhere between £10,000 and £20,000 is more usual. Everyone has a limited amount to spend, but quality really counts in a kitchen so it's advisable to economise in other areas.

Things to consider

From sweeping the front path to building a major extension, there are buyer-friendly home improvements to suit every pocket. It can be difficult to let go of personal tastes and reign in eagerness to get started, but careful planning is an essential ingredient for success. Even if you're not looking to sell straight away, it makes sense to consider future occupants and avoid doing anything you'll regret.
Get that calculator out. Are you simply looking to recoup what you spend? Or are you after big bucks? Remember that the value of property in your area tends to dictate the maximum value your home can achieve, and therefore affects your potential profit.
When it comes to any structural changes, expert advice from an architect or planner is vital. Check that your plans are safe and legal, and that you have the necessary planning permission (the need for this depends on the age, location and dimensions of your property). Make sure any professionals you bring in have a good reputation for completing work to a high standard. If it's worth doing, it's worth doing properly.