Five easy (and incredibly cheap) home improvements that will add value to your property

WANT to boost the price of your property without spending a small fortune?

There are a number of easy and incredibly cheap home improvements you can make that will make your pad more appealing to prospective buyers.

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From washing your front door to pruning your bushes, some of the hacks can  be complete in a matter of hours.

“Faced with a difficult housing market, updating and maintaining a property is more important now than ever for homeowners,” commented Mark Hayward, the Chief Executive of NAEA Propertymark.

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“Whether you need more space but can’t afford to move, or want to put your house on the market, you should be making the most of what you’ve got.

“You can be on a budget or willing to spend, there are always innovative improvements that can be undertaken which will successfully increase your home’s value”.

1. Make your home feel brighter with strategically placed mirrors

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If you cannot add a skylight or build a conservatory to brighten up your home, there are simple yet effective ways of creating light through the use of a few mirrors.

Hanging mirrors opposite windows tricks the eye into thinking there is another window there and maximises the impact of natural lighting.

Another illusion when capturing light is to reflect it into any darker corners, to make your property look bigger and brighter.

2. Spruce up your garden

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Giving your garden a makeover can go a long way in making the property more appealing.

Start by tidying away any litter, mowing your lawn, removing all perennial weeds and cutting back overgrown trees and shrubs.

Once you have made the space look attractive, try and create a feeling of solitude.

An open, clutter-free space is appealing but privacy is essential.

Consider growing trees or adding boundary fences and walls, which can go up to two metres without needing planning permission.

3. Give the kitchen a lick of paint

An attractive, hygienic and fresh looking kitchen is essential.

Start by painting the cabinets to give a fresh look and replace doors and handles if needed.

Improve kitchen storage where you can; a larder for example is hugely attractive among house-hunters.

Make sure there is adequate lighting as well, it’s very easy and cost effective to install under unit lighting.

Finally, ensure that any floor tiles are well fitted and a colour that is easy to maintain and keep clean.

4. Get rid of patterned wallpaper

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With each potential house buyer having varied tastes in patterns and texture, certain wallpaper designs can be seen as overwhelming.

Wallpaper can also be difficult to remove which could lead to people being put off by if they are looking for a home to move straight into.

We recommend using paint and keeping colours neutral, making it a simpler job for the next homeowner and the property overall becomes more appealing.

5. Clean your front door

First impressions count.

The front door of your home can say a lot about the rest of the house to viewers seeing it for the first time.

If you cannot afford to replace the door, make sure it looks attractive by giving it a power wash or a fresh lick of paint.