Eight fantastic ways to add value to your home...

Whether you are selling now or maintaining your home to sell in the future, there are many small home improvements you can address to keep your home in best shape for when the time comes to sell-up.

Updating and improving your home can seem a daunting task for many, and while a new kitchen or fully fitted bathroom can add considerable value to a home, a lot of home owners simply don’t have a lump sum to spend – nor feel that it’s necessary.

The National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) say that in the absence of any pressing structural repairs, there’s a huge variety of more manageable home improvements that home owners can carry out to increase the value of their home.

Here's their top tips:

1) The illusion of space

Spend some time re-organising your rooms to make the best possible use of the space. This can involve re-organising the furniture or building shelves to help tidy away clutter. Also be ruthless and do throw clutter away.

2) Be your own gardener

You don’t need to employ a gardener or landscaper to spruce up your garden. Simply mowing the lawn, tidying up the patio or planting some flowers brightens up your garden, and this is always a draw for buyers.

3) Be energy efficient

Fitting your home with energy efficient appliances can add value to your home by promising to knock the costs of bills. With a huge variety of new products on the market for this, it’s increasingly becoming a key feature for new homes

4) Deep clean

Fixtures and fittings that look tired and in need of replacing can be brought to life again with a deep clean. Even the tidiest of home owners face inevitable wear and tear over the years so it is important to address this.

5) Letting in the light

Fitting windows in dark rooms is an easy and cost-efficient way to expand the space in your home without spending a fortune.

6) Small kitchen improvements

Fully refurbishing your kitchen is pricey and can take time. But small things can make a big difference. Pick out the most notable places to improve your kitchen, whether it is a new floor, cooker or cupboard doors, and replace these, rather than the full unit.

7) Take on your own handy-work

There is a huge amount of DIY advice online or in guide-books. Don’t be afraid to pick up the tools yourself to fix small damages around the house – but be careful, anything too heavy or difficult should require a professional.

8) Lick of paint

Painting the walls in your home really does give a fresh and clean feeling and will reduce the appearance of wear and tear. A tired home gives the impression that a new buyer is likely to spend a lot of their own time and money bringing it up to scratch so may encourage them to lower their offer.

Scotland's property experts

If you are looking to buy, sell or lease property, Aberdein Considine can offer you the support of some of the most experienced property professionals in the country.

We are also an independent broker of buy-to-let mortgages and can offer home loans without any hidden fees.

If you would like to speak to a member of our team, call 0333 0066 333 or click here. 

* Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.