Kirstie and Phil give us their weekly update on the property world, with a look at adding value to your home, and an essential guide to buying in the Exeter area.
With the declining market, it looks like many of us will be staying put for a while. With this in mind, many of us will want to improve, enlargen and ideally add value to our homes. What are the best ways to boost your home's value? See our list below. Bear in mind that all require a financial investment - and you really have to judge any home improvement by its cost-to-value ratio.
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If it's sympathetically designed and doesn't eat up half your garden, a conservatory or extension downstairs could add five per cent to the value of your property.
Just remember, though, if it turns your garden into something the size of a postage stamp, your profit may well be wiped out.
Whether it's an en suite or just off the landing, a second bathroom will make the average house 5.2 per cent more valuable. But don’t go potty - a five bedroom house doesn't need five bathrooms, especially if it's at the expense of the sizes of other rooms. Two should be enough to do the trick, adding enough value to leave you flush.
Buying a wreck or already living in one? Putting in central heating may cost a pretty penny, but it's worth bearing in mind that the average centrally heated UK home is worth 6.8 per cent more than one without it.
For most buyers, off-road parking would be a real plus. Who doesn't want a nice safe spot to park their car? A plain old parking space could add 6.5 per cent value, but remember that from this year in England, you may well need planning permission to pave over your front garden. But, if you're thinking bigger, then a double garage could rev up the profit by 14.5 per cent.
The biggest earner? It's not cheap, makes a terrible mess and is hugely disruptive... but converting your loft could add a whopping 20 per cent to your home's worth. The ideal? Get at least a bedroom and bathroom up there to make the most of the space.
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