For most people, their home is their biggest asset. And for that reason, they invest heavily in it, making sure that it is in tip-top condition, just in case they sell. Unfortunately, though, most people don’t know which upgrades are worth the investment, and which aren’t. Some offer tremendous return on investment (ROI), while others leave you out of pocket. In this post, we take a look at the affordable home upgrades you can make that will actually increase your wealth. Check them out below.
Smart Thermostats
Smart thermostats are programmable appliances that automatically adjust to your heating and cooling needs. Upfront costs typically range from £100 to £350, however, over the course of a decade, homeowners can save upwards of £750 on their electricity bills.
Image Source – Unsplash
Walk-In Showers
Cubicle showers were all the rage several years ago (because they were cheaper to install), but they’ve since been superseded by their walk-in brethren. Most people on moderate incomes now prefer walk-in showers and list them as being among their house-buying criteria.
What’s more, whirlpool tubs are out. Today’s buyers want freestanding tubs or nothing at all.
Image Source – Unsplash
Attractive Wall Cladding
Exposed brick and stone walls look great in your interiors, but they’re expensive. A hand-constructed wall could set you back thousands of pounds.
Fortunately, you don’t have to use real materials. Today, you can get PVC panels that have been made to look just like the real thing.
PVC wall panels can be used in every room, including the kitchen, bathroom and living room. What’s more, they come in a range of styles – granite, tiles, stone, brick, wood and many others. Cladding is inexpensive but can dramatically enhance the character of your home, encouraging buyers to part with more cash.
Improved Laundry Room Access
Is getting into your laundry room challenging? If so, you might want to think about changing your setup. Today’s buyers want dryers and washers on the main floor, not in the garage, basement or an outbuilding.
Double- Or Triple-Glazed Windows
Buyers say that energy-efficient windows are among their top priorities when shopping for a new home, particularly those earning in the top 20 percent. According to estimates, replacing regular hung windows with UPVC double-glazed returns around 75 percent of the cost at the sale.
Low-Flow Fixtures
Low-flow fixtures might use water sparingly, but that’s actually what a lot of modern homeowners want – even those on high incomes. Low flow options cut down on water bills and help reduce a home’s impact on the environment.
Image Source – Unsplash
HVAC Replacement
If you’re selling, many buyers will ask whether you’ve replaced the HVAC recently. They want to know whether you’ve done the hard work already so they won’t have to deal with the problem when they move in.
According to estimates, replacing the HVAC recoups around 85 percent of its costs upon resale. That means that if you do wind up selling your property, you can essentially fit the HVAC for 15 percent of the regular price.
So, which of these affordable home upgrades will you be installing in your property?
*This is a collaborative post