4 small upgrades that can boost your home's value by 20 per cent – according to real estate experts

There's no doubt that selling your home is a stressful experience – particularly if you are struggling to sell.

While this can be due to a myriad of reasons, when it comes to attracting potential buyers, small home upgrades can make a big difference in securing the sale.

From glazing to conversions, we spoke to real estate agents for their advice on which small home upgrades are actually worth doing, so you'll be clued up about buying or selling a home in winter.

Small home upgrades that can boost value by 20 per cent

1. Double glazing

Adding double glazing to your windows comes with a host of benefits that extend beyond keeping you cozy – doing so also increases the value of your property by 10%.

Dave Sayce, founder and managing director at Compare My Move, identifies that these are a smart home improvement for winter, working to keep heat in and cold out. This means that your home then experiences better temperature moderation all year round, improving your home's EPC rating, and helping you, and therefore potential buyers, to save money at home.

Additionally, if your home is located in a busy or built-up area, double glazing can reduce noise pollution, making it more attractive to potential buyers.

You can also soundproof windows by sealing gaps and cracks, using caulk such as the number one top rated DAP INC 18152 10.1oz White Alex Plus Acrylic Latex Caulk with Silicone available at Amazon, or by applying soundproof window film, such as the Frost King V73/9H Indoor Shrink Window Kit available at Amazon. Durable and easy to use, this product saves up to 35 per cent of heat loss, and installs to a crystal clear finish using just a standard hair dryer.

2. Log burners

Bringing wood burner ideas into your home makes the space feel cozy and atmospheric, but, as a long-term investment, they can also add up to 5% to your property's value, says Sayce. In particular, they are a great way to save money on your energy bills, and you can cost effectively run a long burner by selecting the right wood.

'If you have a chimney already, then replacing an open fire with a log burner is a straightforward switch,' says Liz Foulds, director at Logs Direct. 'And, when you're burning well-seasoned, kiln-dried logs, you can be sure that you're using it with sustainability in mind, as the low moisture content means less smoke is produced.

'Plus, log burners tend to be made with long-lasting and easy to maintain materials, meaning you're unlikely to ever have to replace it.'

Therefore, the cost of adding a log burner to your home in comparison to larger renovations which you may undertake before selling is considerably lower. However, it is important to know that log burners are only as valuable as the ease of sourcing fuel for the fire, so consider this before taking the plunge on one. Firelogs, such as the bestselling Duraflame Gold Ultra Premium 4.5 lb. Firelogs are available at Walmart, and are fast and easy to light if you're not sure how to start a fire in a fireplace.

3. Garden upgrades

In need of some curb appeal ideas? Another effective home upgrade to boost the value of your home is by making sure your garden and front yard look well maintained.

'Having an unkempt and messy garden can deter buyers, whereas having a well-maintained and landscaped garden can add up to 20 per cent to the value of your home,' says real estate expert Sayce. 'This value increase will differ depending on where you are. In places where space is limited like large cities, a garden can add a lot more to your property than when the property is in the countryside, in which there is a lot of space.'

To do so, you can hire a professional gardener, or learn how to upgrade curb appeal in one weekend, by making small changes like adding small plants around your door. 'How you choose to landscape your garden will be to your own tastes and there are many different options to choose from,' adds Sayce. 'This can include replacing real grass with artificial astro turf which requires much less maintenance, installing decking or patios, and leveling and terracing your space.'

When it comes to what adds the most curb appeal, these changes tend to be larger, such as investing in a front porch renovation, or laying the foundation for a driveway. If you have the budget, these will also greatly attract potential buyers.

The rule of thumb is however much you spend on overhauling your yard, it will likely add value to the tune of double that amount.

4. Conversions

House extension ideas are undoubtedly one of the best ways to add value to your property, but they can also be incredibly expensive to undertake.

Instead, real estate expert Sayce recommends converting a pre-existing space in your home that you seldom use, such as a loft or cellar to add a useful room to your property, estimating that this can add up to 20% to the house value. Converting any of these spaces to a bedroom, in particular, will add the higher end of the 20%.

However, experts warn against DIY home improvements that could devalue your property, detailing garage conversions as one of them. This is because potential buyers are likely to want a usable garage for storage and parking, so stick to other renovation projects that will add value to your home.

Depending on your budget, you may also choose to convert one of your spaces into a wet room with plumbing, for added practicality. We love these wet room ideas and small wet room ideas, if you're in need of some inspiration.

FAQs

What is the cheapest upgrade to add value to your home?

By far one of the easiest and cheapest ways to add value to your home is painting your front door, so your home appears clean, stylish and maintained from the offset.

These front door color ideas, from designers and paint experts, are the perfect place to start if you're not sure which shade to go for to boost your curb appeal.

There are also front door colors to avoid, so steer clear of anything too dark, bright or white, which will be difficult to maintain and keep clean.

Ultimately, how you upgrade your home will come down to your budget, and how much time you can commit to making changes before selling up and moving, points out real estate expert, Sayce.

If you're in need of a quick fix, undertaking minor maintenance and cleaning tasks when your home is being valued, such as cleaning gutters from the roof and replacing cracked windows, can make a real difference, without too much effort or cost.