A new year heralds fresh starts. Out with the old and in with the new, from the car you’ve always wanted to a wardrobe overhaul and or even the property of your dreams. However, even in the new year, money is always a bit tight, and if your budget doesn’t permit you changing address, maybe you could consider carrying out some changes to your property. These, in turn, will add to its value and allow you to invest in a larger, more valuable property.

Depending on how much you want to spend, there are endless options how to do this. Some adjustments may be costly but ensure higher revenue in the future, while others may be quick and low-cost fixes to spruce up your house. The trick is to evaluate what will bring you the most profits, depending on the time, effort and money you want to spend.

If you have a tight budget, your best option is to highlight your property’s strengths and downplay its weaknesses. An effective way to do this is by home staging, which has lately become a popular trend. You can engage a professional home stager who can tweak and perfect your home to ensure that buyers make the best offer. These alterations usually cost next to nothing but make a world of difference just before selling your property.

You can also do some of the work yourself. The most important thing is to get rid of the clutter. In most homes, there is an accumulation of bits and bobs that can easily be thrown away or given to charity. The more tidy living areas, shelves, wardrobes and cupboards are, the more a potential buyer can imagine their own belongings in the property.

Repurposing rooms is also a good idea. If you have an odd spare room or an empty garage, you can actually transform these areas into a useful space. For instance, you could put some yoga mats, a mirror and some cushions to transform an empty space into a Pilates studio or meditation room. You could also put in an armchair, a lamp and a table to make a reading corner.

Freshen up the rooms. Paint them in neutral colours to brighten the rooms up and make them look less dated. Neutral shades go beyond magnolia – you can use pale pastels or warm honey tones. Light also gives a room added space and interest. Changing the lighting can enhance the ambience, making it feel warm and welcoming. You should be aiming for a total of 100 watts for each 50 square feet and opt for a warm yellow rather than the colder white.

The finishing touches really count. Place candles and vases of flowers in each room to make the place feel more polished. Your house also needs to welcome potential buyers with a homely smell such as freshly brewed coffee.

If you are prepared to invest slightly more time and money into your property without breaking the bank, there are various options. You could focus on creating a serene bedroom – by changing the soft furnishings in a bedroom, you can completely transform it into a tranquil area. Create a relaxing setting with matching bed linen and throw pillows, coordinated with sleek curtains and plush drapes. Choose your colour scheme before you embark on purchasing – you can get inspiration from hotel rooms online.

If there are odd jobs to do around the house, find the time and do them. Something that really puts off prospective buyers is seeing unfinished areas. It is more cost-effect­ive to get these things done as the buyer will knock off their offer for such incomplete jobs.

If your kitchen is looking a bit drab and tired, a great way to spruce it up and make it feel more modern is to replace the fronts of the cabinets without having to completely buy a new kitchen.

Finally, what is more important than first impressions? Go outside and have a good look at the exterior of your property. If the door is looking a bit shabby, paint it and replace the numbers or name with new ones. You could add a plant and mat near the door. Buyers will want to imagine themselves owning the property the moment they are standing outside.

Something that really puts off prospective buyers is seeing unfinished areas

There are also more costly ways of adding value to your property. These will either gradually increase the value of your property year by year or be a unique selling point for potential buyers. Luxurious bathrooms are a big hit – a professionally tiled bathroom with new fixtures and a big stand-alone bath will make the buyer crave to use it. You can also give it a spa feel with rolled up towels, salts and candles.

A swimming pool is also a great addition. The initial cost may be a bit prohibitive, but it has the kind of wow factor that makes your property more valuable.

In the last few years, we have become more conscious of our environmental responsibilities.

Making your property eco-friendly will give prospective buyers potential savings on their utility bills and will therefore be seen as an investment. There are a few basic changes that you could make to ensure your home is eco-friendly such as changing your old appliances to new energy efficient ones, installing a more efficient plumbing and irrigation system for your garden, and investing in a solar water heater or even a stove.

Of course, every property is different so before doing any work, evaluate your situation. When are you trying to sell, what is your budget and what is your target market? By answering these questions, you are on your way to increasing the value of your property.

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