Home improvement is a popular investment for many of us. Rather than buying commodities, or shares in a business, you’re buying something that you can actually enjoy on a day-to-day basis. And, with the property market being so buoyant, you can be reasonably sure of enjoying a return on the investment in the long-term.
If you’re planning to sell your home soon, then the right improvements can help to quickly bolster its value ahead of a sale. If, on the other hand, you’re going to be staying in the property for awhile longer, you can take advantage of the improvements for longer.
How should you renovate?
There’s a right way and a wrong way to go about renovating. The most important consideration is undoubtedly your budget. You’ll want to consider how much value you can expect to add with your proposed changes, and then spend your money accordingly.
Of course, the amount of value you’re adding will depend on the existing nature of the property. If you spend thousands on kitchen tiles in an entry-level property, you might find that your potential target market isn’t willing to pay extra. Thus, you won’t see an especially major return on the investment.
Once you’ve got your budget in mind, it’s time to throw together a plan. Get an idea of the timescale, and the costs of both labour and materials. You might be able to cut costs by doing some of the work yourself. If you’ve got a good relationship with a reputable, reliable buildings merchant, then you’ll be able to source your building and landscaping materials in advance, and perhaps even negotiate yourself a tidy discount.
Several types of renovation stand out as especially popular, both for buyers looking for properties and for adding value to your home:
Kitchen
The modern kitchen is arguably the centrepiece of the entire property. It’s a place where food is stored and prepared, but it’s also a social and entertainment hub. If your existing kitchen is looking a little world-weary, then an upgrade might be more than justified.
Extension
If you’re planning on extending the actual footprint of your property, then you might add considerable value – especially if you’re adding extra bedrooms in the process. This is something that might require planning permission. Make sure that you’ve obtained the necessary approval before you get started.
Conversions
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It may be that you already have a space in your home that you’d like to do a little more with. This might be a loft or a garage. If you can convert either into a bedroom or a home office, then you might find that the value of your property inflates considerably.
During this time of a global energy crisis, spurred on by an over-reliance on limited fossil fuels such as oil and gas, there is more need than ever for consumers to seek ways to reduce living costs for themselves and their families. One of the best ways of doing this is by investing in eco-friendly building materials.
Whether used around the home or for larger construction projects, adopting eco-friendly materials can save money both in the short and long term. Here’s a brief guide to the best eco-friendly building materials available in 2022.
It may not be the first thing that springs to mind, but bamboo has become increasingly popular as a building material. Bamboo is more common than people think, available throughout the world. Unlike more traditional wood taken from trees that require years to regrow, it also reforests much quicker and rivals steel in tensile strength. The only reason bamboo isn’t currently used more, it seems, is that it feels less traditional than the popular wooden variants.
Natural insulation boards
These can be essential in cutting energy costs for your home, as good insulation prevents heat escaping or can help keep the place cool during a heatwave. While some insulation panels may be made with plastic, sustainable materials such as sheep’s wool or straw bales can be just as if not more effective. They’re also easier to maintain and replace later. Be sure to invest in an insulation board that can be as good for the environment as it is for your home.
Recycled Steel
Still arguably the most reliable material for maintaining the structural integrity of modern buildings, steel is also the most recycled material in the world for good reason. Recycling steel saves an impressive 75% of the energy costs of making it from scratch, making it universally popular. You simply lose nothing yet gain plenty by using recycled steel in your construction project.
A popular material that people may not initially think of as eco-friendly, glass is made from natural products like sand and limestone. Its brittle reputation can sometimes disguise its superior strength and durability when used right; this is why it remains one of the most popular materials used in construction. Insulation is also a key strength, making it ideal for windows in warm homes and offices. Being easily recyclable makes it a highly sustainable choice.
Wood
We’ve already touched on the strengths of bamboo in comparison, but more generally wood has been a popular building material for centuries due to its impressive strength, durability and insulation properties – all of which translate well to new homes. Overuse of new wood can in turn be bad for the environment if not balanced out with adequate reforestation, but the good news is wood can be just as easily recycled as the other materials listed here, and it could perhaps solve some of the world’s problems if more of us adopted that approach.
Concrete
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Working together with cement as the ‘bread and butter’ choice for building materials, concrete is especially famous for its durability and strength. It is also easily recycled, and this too has helped make it the faithful go-to material for new home builds for many years. Even appearing ‘weathered’ over time can simply be considered a part of its character – though it can be easily replaced if needs must.
Recycled Plastic
Yeah, in a lot of ways plastic is the poster child for unsustainable anti-eco materials, but while it’s a part of our world we may as well use it.
That isn’t to say we should make more; rather continue using what we do have, because it so happens that plastic is an amazingly recyclable material. Its (often annoyingly) durable nature can be used to our advantage if put to good use, and perhaps one of the better ways to do that is as a construction material.
When it comes to sustainable living and eco-friendly building materials there are certainly further efforts you can put in to create an eco paradise. Otherwise, though, the examples listed above should work perfectly for most people regardless of circumstance. However environmentally minded you may be, hopefully this has shown the potential universal benefits awaiting anyone who embraces eco-friendly building materials.
Are you up to speed on what a home buyers warranty is and why it can be helpful? We’ve got the lowdown on home buyer’s warranties and the advantages you could gain from having one.
Protection for Home Defects
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A home warranty covers home defects if you’re purchasing a new home, and the warranty covers all major installations throughout the property. If anything from the electrical to the HVAC system has a defect, the warranty covers the repair or replacement services.
The buyer must purchase the home warranty before the property closing to get coverage. A home warranty is not the same as a contractor’s warranty, and the home buyer will face some costs. For an idea of the home defects typically included, have a look at the 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty.
The Home is Properly Maintained
In a home warranty, there is a clause that requires you to maintain the property. The buyer must set up maintenance services based on the manufacturer’s recommendations. This includes the electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and any appliances that are included in the home warranty. If you don’t set up these services as required, you could lose coverage. The clause is a major advantage for home buyers, and if you are purchasing a home with an active home warranty, you can rest assured that the property was maintained and shouldn’t have major issues.
Home Appliance Replacements Are More Affordable
A home warranty often gives you discounts on new appliances through pre-screened suppliers and installation providers. If you need a new appliance, you simply call the home warranty company to set up an appointment with the supplier, and you can review all appliances available through the service provider. Discounts on appliances and installations depend on the choices you make and the total cost of the product. However, it’s worth noting that sometimes you can get better discounts through these options than if you wait for an appliance sale at your favourite retailer.
Warranties Transfer to New Properties
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Homeowners who have an existing home warranty can transfer the warranty to a new buyer. The home buyer can review the terms of the home warranty and continue their coverage. Home warranty companies calculate the premium costs for each party based on how long the seller lived in the property that year and how many months of coverage the new homeowner needs for the year.
Affordable Annual Premiums
Most home warranty premiums are affordable and calculated based on the systems and appliances included in the home warranty. You can review the premiums and make adjustments to meet your budget, and aren’t required to keep the same package as the seller. The warranty companies offer a variety of plans based on what the homeowner wants to be included, and estimates are available at any time.
A home warranty offers discounts and savings on vital services like electrical or plumbing repairs or replacement services. When buying a home, sellers might offer a home warranty to protect these systems in the home. The warranty transfers to the new homeowner after the closing, and the new owner pays a pro-rated premium. Talk to a home warranty company about a home warranty for your new home.
With the United Kingdom falling behind other countries when it comes to tackling soaring house prices, it seems as though buyers in the UK market still face a long wait for rates to stabilise. While the turbulent housing market (combined with rapidly rising fuel and energy costs) has made it more costly to buy a new home than ever before, many homeowners have found themselves sitting on a relative goldmine as resale values increase in kind. If you’re considering re-entering the marketplace and selling your home in the UK, check out these simple steps to success:
Check for any repairs you need to make and create a plan
The first step to take when preparing your home for resale is evaluating your entire property and making a list of repairs that need to be made. You may be surprised at how many issues you identify, from the easily fixed (such as creaking doors, minor plumbing issues and faulty fixtures) to more important problems that can lead to costly repairs (such as structural issues like damp and warped floors). Once you’ve made a list, prioritise and create a plan for how you will tackle each repair.
Consider which renovations could net your more money
Even the most simple home renovation jobs can have a significant impact on resale value, but it’s always best to prioritise those that are most likely to generate extra value – these include garage/loft conversions, conservatories and extensions, landscaping/external development, improving energy efficiency, redecoration and bathroom renovation. When planning a bathroom renovation, consider visiting bathroom showrooms to identify popular trends and increase the value of your space; similarly, research trends in heating, lighting and landscaping to boost the appeal of your garden and add value to your property.
When preparing your home for viewings, thoroughly clean and de-clutter your property and try to remove personal possessions, especially those which leave a clear ‘mark’ of your time there. Removing personal items will better enable potential buyers to visualise the space as their own, whilst de-cluttering will add the illusion of extra light and space. Try to market your property as an organised new home, rather than a lived-in second-hand space.
Consider professional home staging
If your budget allows, consider using professional home staging services or hiring an interior designer to get the most out of your property. Home staging is a great way of transforming your property into a showroom house that’s more likely to sell quickly. The good news is, home staging usually entails expert arrangement of existing items, so you shouldn’t have to invest in new furniture or fixtures to get the job done.
If you’re planning on moving home, you should remember that you should never be too hasty. It’s far too much money to be playing around with, and you want to make sure the home that you move into is going to be comfortable for you and your future. There’s a lot to think about, and there’s a chance that if you rush things, you’re going to make a mistake.
Spending only a short time looking at the house you plan to buy could be something you seriously regret, and you should take a moment to look deeper for things that you need in a home. We all have things that we find comfortable and can’t live without. Don’t let your new home be without them.
The first thing you should check for near your new home is the local amenities. Are you more of an outside person looking for somewhere to spend your time? Well, you wouldn’t want to move somewhere that’s too far from anything you would enjoy. It can be a pain if you have to hop into the car whenever you need to go out and buy bread or milk, let alone go shopping for things you want. Before you buy any home, you should also take a moment to check the google maps of the area, as well as take the time to explore it yourself.
While the property itself might be appealing, the area around it might be the opposite. It’s worth taking a look around when you go for a house visit.
Needed work
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You should also be looking out for the things that you would change about the home. If there’s a lot of work that needs to be done before you feel the home would be liveable, you should be re-evaluating its worth of the home to you. Are you willing to pay the asking price for something that’s going to require a lot of investments later on? If you’re going to have to upgrade the home insulation, consider how much that would cost for you to get done, as well as any other changes you would want to make.
Possible damage
When touring a home, there’s always a chance that you’re not going to see everything for what it is. There could be underlying damage that the owners haven’t noticed, and while it might not be a problem immediately after buying, it’s something you’re going to need to take action on somewhere down the line. Look out for any cracks in the wall or floor while looking around – even a small and thin crack can be alarming, so take note of it. It could be a good idea to send someone to give the house a proper assessment so that you don’t miss out on anything.
Low crime rates
Not everything about an area will be apparent while you’re looking around, and the crime rates are one of those things. If you’re moving to a new area, you should always look into the news and crime rate surrounding that area to get a good idea of what you’re going to be dealing with if you live there. It’s important that when you move to a new property you feel safe – as it can be hard enough to settle without the fear of something happening to you.
It can be hard to get a good judgment from the statistics, and it could help to compare them to the area that you already live in, as a way to gauge it.
Future comforts
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When you’re looking around your potential new home, you should be asking yourself if it’s somewhere you would like to live later on. In the current housing market, it can be hard to purchase a property, and you wouldn’t want to have to go through the process more than once. It’s much easier to stay put in one place and to do that you’ll have to plan ahead while buying. If you’re planning on raising a family in your home, you should be questioning whether this new location is right for that, or whether you should look elsewhere.
Even if you’re not planning on raising a family, is there anything you would like to do with your home that would require more space? Would you like a more open kitchen at some point? Are you planning to have your own studio? These things might not feel like a priority, but note that moving home isn’t something that’s fun to do often, so think about what you’re willing to wait for and what you need in the near future.
Light exposure
If you’re looking for faults in a new property, the lighting may not be something you’re alert of. It’s something we all take for granted when we have enough of it, but spending a lot of time without it can start to feel quite dull. You should make sure that the location of your new property welcomes a suitable amount of light from the outside throughout the day. Not only would it be unappealing to live in a dark home, but it would cost you a lot more in electrical bills if you had to have your lights on for half of the day as well as the evening.
Wi-Fi strength
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If there’s one thing that doesn’t stand out at all when looking around new properties, it’s the Wi-Fi strength. You’re not going to experience what the connection is like until you’ve moved in and got everything set up for yourself, and by the time you’ve done that – it’s too late. You might find that while looking around the property, you have no signal or connectivity, due to the walls being too thick. While it’s not a permanent issue, it’s something that might be quite expensive to deal with.
Do a quick test and try texting or calling someone while you tour the home just to make sure it’s stable.
