Home renovation ideas are normally reserved for ease-of-use improvements. People renovate their houses to make the experience of living there better. However, this leads to a dilemma: if you intend to switch residences sometime in the future, is it still worth it to do renovations?
The simple answer is yes; it is still very much worth it.
Renovations not only make your experience living there better, but it also increases your house’s potential resale value. Here are some renovation ideas that increase that can do just that.
Renovate Your Kitchen and Bathroom
If you are thinking about renovating your place with the intent of increasing its value, the kitchen and bathroom can really give you that boost in value. Consider changing the kitchen flooring, maybe do up the splashback, and change the cupboard handles too for a more modern touch. Interior design trends come and go, and if you want to stay up to date with what’s popular, think more long-term, or choose timeless designs. This also applies to your bathroom. Maybe change the tiles and the bath itself, and install a thermostatic shower system if you don’t already have it.
Upgrade Your HVAC System
One of the things many people look for in a property is a good HVAC system. If your house’s HVAC system is outdated, then your first order of business is upgrading it. Older houses without modern conveniences like a central air conditioning system can be difficult to sell (or it will outright decrease the value of your property). While an HVAC upgrade won’t exactly multiply your property value by ten-fold, it will, however, make it more appealing to potential buyers and prevent any decrease in value.
Turn Your Attic into a Loft
Converting your attic into a loft is one of the most valuable upgrades you can do to your property. It adds usable square footage to your house, and it offers more options for home design. You could be using your attic as a storage room, but if what you store up there doesn’t prove to be useful for you, consider unloading and converting it to a functional loft. If you aren’t selling your house yet, you can utilize this loft for several things. It can be a gym, a guest room, or a personal lounge. It adds not just to the monetary value of your property but also your experience in it.
Go with Energy-efficient Improvements
Many modern appliances already offer energy-efficient lines that it’s no longer wise to hold on to vintage ones. However, if your house still uses older technology that consumes a lot of energy for basic functions, consider upgrading it with energy-efficient alternatives. This type of renovation not only aims to help you save money but make it more modern and appealing to younger homebuyers looking for their first property.
Making the switch to LED lights, for example, is a good start. For a longer-term investment, consider installing solar panels in your home. Though it may be a bit costly, it will definitely add more value to your home, and in addition, green energy sources are more sustainable in the long run.
Insulation and Draught-proofing
As with your HVAC system, you also have to consider updating your insulation and draughtproofing to ensure comfortable living conditions in your home. This is especially useful to prevent heat loss during colder months. You can upgrade to double glazed doors and windows and make sure you have draught-proofing strips around them. If you decide to convert your attic into a loft, really consider the insulation’s recommended R-value.
Make Your Basement a Usable Space
We’ve already discussed how converting your attic into a loft can increase your property’s resale value. Another way to increase it is by turning your basement into a usable space. If, like many, your basement is used as a storage room of sorts, consider cleaning it out and turning it into a functional space.
This also increases its square footage, which will add to your property’s overall value, increasing the potential price while appealing to those looking for a sizable house. Making your basement usable can be costly, but the benefits you gain from it- the increase in square space, the increase in resale value all make up for it.
Owning a home is a great accomplishment on its own. If you plan on increasing its value for any reason, remember to set a budget and plan it well. Be careful not to go over budget, but don’t settle for subpar quality renovations either.
