When you are looking to sell your home the little things can make all of the difference. Any prospective buyer will want to take a close look at your home especially when hundreds of thousands of pounds are involved.
Of course any repairs that need doing in the house should be done before you put your house on the market. Attention to detail is also just as important when your home is on the market and some of these things don't cost a penny.
LeicesterLive are reporting that things like Decluttering your home, giving it a deep clean, revamping your garden, repainting window sills and installing a planter with some nice looking flowers could up the price of your house. More ideas include things like installing new double glazing or upgrading your broadband could also be worth the investment and make all the difference.
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No matter if you have just bought a home or looking to sell your home a small amount of investment can go a long way. Getting value for your money is important and choosing the right improvements are important as some can actually take value away from your house.
More often than not, a few small upgrades will be all that's required to make your house stand out. According to the Office for National Statistics, the number of residential properties sold in England last year increased by 10 percent as a result of some simple game-changing improvements.
Here are a few home features that property experts say will pay the most dividends.
Double glazing
Your home will instantly become more sellable if double-glazing is installed, according to estate agents. Alex Harvey, from Henry Adams estate agency in Sussex, said: "Buyers of period homes want wooden window frames.
"Don't put plastic in or they'll start discounting the price. We've sold an Edwardian terrace cottage for £40,000 more than predicted two years ago."
He added: "All the owners did was replace single-glazed windows with wooden framed double-glazed windows costing £18,000."
Faster broadband
Properties with slugging broadband tend to be avoided by potential buyers. That's the finding of a study conducted by Rightmove at least. Dubbed 'the fourth utility - after electricity, gas and water - a fast broadband that allows a home's occupants to easily stream TV and music without any problems is a must.
The advice to anyone who lives in an area with poor reception is to look at installing satellite broadband, which involves fitting a dish to the house. "Broadband has become ingrained in people's lives and is a hugely important factor when choosing a home - its appeal should not be underestimated," says Rightmove's Bernard Phillips.
Kerb appeal
Possibly the most straightforward and value for money way of increasing the value of your home is to give its exterior some TLC. Making sure that the front of your property is clean and tidy is a must, as many prospective buyers like to have a drive-past, or several, before investigating further.
Kate Hardwick, from Smiths Gore, said that just a few "simple improvements" can make a huge difference. "More people are looking at houses from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s," she said.
"Simple improvements like rendering unattractive brick and replacing concrete roof tiles with slate increase curb appeal and value." It's an opinion shared by Jonathan Handford, a property expert with Fine & Country. "Hanging baskets, flower pots, freshly painting the front door, ensuring the fence is crisp and clean, plus trimming hedges and lawns can create a welcoming impression," he said.
En-suite bathrooms
Many new build homes come fitted with en-suite bathrooms and it's a feature that is becoming increasingly commonplace and sought after. An en-suite can boost the value of your home and can cost as little as £2,500, according to The House Buyer Bureau website .
Having the space to create an extra bathroom adjoining a master bedroom is obviously a prerequisite. It means that costs can vary considerably, depending on the space available.
Carole Ann Evans, from estate agents Morris Dibben, said: "If you have a four-bedroom house with just one bathroom, add another - an en-suite to the master bedroom, ideally." Other bathroom upgrade ideas include a heated towel rail, new taps or a glass shower screen instead of a fitted curtain.
A warning
The House Buyer Bureau warns that homeowners should be wary of spending too much on big budget home improvements. And there is an important reason why. Their advice is to make a few key improvements rather than a raft of expensive work such as a loft conversion, purpose-built home office and extra bathroom.
Even if they will add value to your home, the expense of major projects like these may not be very good value for money. The website states: "Remember, there will always be a ceiling price for properties in your area or road. No matter how many jaw-dropping home improvements you invest in, your home will never exceed this."
