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What Home Improvements Produce the Best Return on Investment?

Friday, October 21st, 2011

What Home Improvements Produce the Best Return on Investment?

With a housing market that is more confused than ever, you may be one of the thousands of home owners looking for a way to invest money improving your home, so that you can sell it now or have it ready and dripping with appeal for when the housing market picks up once again.

Here are some of the top home improvements that provide the biggest return on investment (ROI) that increase the value/appeal of your home the most, based on how much you have to spend on the improvement.

Start with the Basics – Greatest ROI

One of the cheapest and easiest things you can do to improve the appeal of your home to a potential buyer is to clean and clear the interior and exterior of the property. This may sound very basic but when it comes to ROI the things that cost the least to do provide the greatest returns. Remove all excess furniture, ornaments, junk, and either hide them in a loft or in an external storage unit until the house is sold. Likewise clearing your garden or yard of lawnmowers, dilapidated bird baths or similar and storing them in a shed or away from the property will give potential buyers a clear view and make it easier to see themselves in the property.

Decorate and Landscape – Excellent ROI

Another simple way to increase the appeal of your property is to decorate the interior and landscape the garden. Appearance is incredibly important when showing a home so it will be worth your while redecorating your interior in light colours. Plus an extra tip is to use higher wattage bulbs so that every room is literally brighter like quality sunrooms. Externally, buyers look for clean and green spaces. Paying a professional gardener to clear out undergrowth and improve the quality of your lawn can have a big impact on the appeal of the property and on your ROI.

Upgrade Fixtures and Fittings – Considerable ROI

By repairing and upgrading fixtures and fittings such as your plumbing and electrical infrastructure, as well as your windows and doors will make sure that your property is prepared for any queries a potential buyer might have. Old wiring or single glazing can immediately turn off potential buyers as they start to factor the cost of upgrading these themselves into the amount they are paying for the property. By sticking to repairing faults and completing superficial issues with windows or applying UPVC Windows, you can expect a considerable ROI, while of course large scale rewiring or complete window upgrades will push the ROI lower.

Can you afford not to consider these home improvements?

Excerpt:

Are you looking to upgrade your home but don’t know where to start? Here are some of the top home improvements that offer the greatest return on your investment.

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Home Improvements for Those with Recession on their Mind

Friday, October 21st, 2011

It may seem like grasping at property market straws but according to the HMRC, property sales have hung in there at their highest level all year in July.  Despite the fact 79,000 homes were sold during this month, it is still 10,000 less than July 2010, but at least it is a moment of stability from which to extract some positivity.

Turning Tides

Every month this year it has felt like yet another news report has been proclaiming the definitive turning of the tide in the UK property market. This is largely down to the consistently high level of equity needed by buyers in order to get a mortgage (about 20% at present) and due to the fact that banks basically still don’t have enough money to throw mortgages at everyone that thinks they might want a house. Mortgages are now being rationed like chocolate and butter during the war.

The market is still very unstable, with fears of a potential dip back into recession, making everything feel like it’s on a bit of a knife edge, but what you can do in the meantime is to invest in wise considered home improvements, so that if the market really is levelling out, you can be ready to get your property back on the market? But then what if it swings the other way and it turns out you can’t sell your house after all?

Depending on which way you think it will swing, here are some home improvements to consider:

Pessimism – Back to Recession

If you think that the country will slide back into recession then you should be thinking about saving you money in the long run…‘future-proofing’ your home if you will. The best way to do this is by investing in energy saving or energy storing home improvements.

It is now possible to coat your house in solar panels and to install functional wind turbines so that you can harness the power of the elements in order to reduce your reliance on energy from the national grid. In fact, technically you could gather enough energy that you could actually sell some of it back to the national grid.

In addition by improving your insulation you can reduce your heating costs and make your home more pleasant in the summer. Improved UPVC windows and higher quality loft and wall insulation should do the trick.

Optimism – Away from Recession

If you think that the worst is behind us and banks are going to start lending again and buyers are going to start getting the mortgages they want then you should probably still consider opting for energy saving home improvements. A home’s energy rating is going to be a major factor in people’s decision to buy a home in the future so it is worth getting this done. Additionally completing a garage conversion or some other kind of extension will increase the amount your house is worth and make it more desirable to buyers.

Fingers crossed for the end to property market madness, but at least now you have an idea of some positive steps you can take in the meantime.

How has the recession effected your property situation?

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Lean Tos – the Most Economical Type of Conservatory?

Wednesday, October 19th, 2011

When you have made the decision to invest in a Conservatory, chances are that you have a nice Victorian one in your head. These are among the most popular styles because indeed they are all very nice, but there is a slightly less well known style that has many features that normally prove to be most economical for the happy homeowner.

This is particularly important while energy prices are so unfeasibly high. Just recently prices have risen massively in light of global oil prices and with winter on the horizon we all have to keep our purse strings as tight as possible so we can make it through the winter.

With this in mind, here are several points about lean to conservatories that might just make your conservatory buying decision that bit easier.

They’re Simple

For starters, lean-to conservatories are simpler than their counterparts. This means that it takes less time to install them, they use less materials and are easier to maintain. These savings filter down into a generally lower average price for this design and cheaper installation for the home owner.

They Add Space

Being cheaper you might have thought that they would be smaller, or had big support posts or something, but you would be wrong. Lean to conservatories provide a particularly large space that really gives you a lot for your money, which works out nicely when you get round to selling your property. They can be designed to make the absolute maximum use of the space you have to work with and always become incredibly flexible spaces because of their shape.

They’re Fast

As mentioned, they go up pretty fast, especially in comparison to some of the more complicated conservatory designs. This means less disruption for you and your home and reduces the hours required to cover the costs of installation engineers.

They’re Efficient

Above all lean to conservatories are excellent energy savers. With 2 or 3 big walls of glass that let in a lot of light, you might think it would get really hot and you would have to buy an air-conditioning unit so you don’t melt. But in actual fact, the special glass used along with the gracefully sloping roof manages to reflect much of the heat while letting the light in to keep things cool in summer, and in the winter, the same glass retains most of the heat inside, often better than the walls in the rest of your house will.

Lean to conservatories are naturally economical and make a gorgeous addition to homes in all parts of the UK.

Are you tempted?

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Does Building a Conservatory Always Add Value to Properties?

Monday, August 15th, 2011

As a homeowner, or a ‘soon-to-be homeowner’, you will probably have money issues on your mind. Don’t we all at times have these? Perhaps you are looking to maximise your investment in a new property or maybe you have a bulging family that needs more space but are unsure what the best way to go about it is.

You may have looked at various House Extensions but discounted them as particularly expensive options. Then you perhaps looked at getting your loft converted but were put off by the issues over where to put the stairs. Also, you probably looked into getting a garage conversion, which will add value but will leave you without a garage that you may find quite useful at some point. So then you came to the Conservatory option:

conservatories are a very versatile option for expanding your home, but do they always add value?

Basically, yes, in three ways:

Increase Overall Value

Adding a conservatory will normally increase the value of your home by at least 5%. This is thanks to the increase in floor space and the quality of the fittings. The most important element of house valuation is indeed location. But after that when the cost approach to valuation is used, and you consider the fact that conservatories devalue only very slowly, it becomes clear that they are a wise financial investment.

Increase Resale Appeal

Not only this, you may have heard about ‘kerb-side’ appeal. This refers to how a property looks from the street but more specifically how much the way a property look makes a prospective buyer want it. This feeling can be very powerful and can be the difference between a buyer being determined to buy your property or indifferent. A conservatory gives a property a great deal of ‘kerb-side’ appeal which you can really bank on as they have never been out of fashion.

Increase Energy Rating

A further way in which installing a conservatory will increase the value of your property is by improving your energy efficiency rating. A common misconception is that conservatories will leak heat, but the fact is that Ideal Windows and Conservatories advanced windows are often better at keeping the heat in than most walls. As of 2007 all homes being sold need to have an energy efficiency rating and estate agents generally think that a good energy rating will be a major factor in buyers decisions in the future.

So does a conservatory increase the value of your home? Of course it does!

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Fight the Energy Price Hike with these Home Energy Saving Tips

Monday, August 15th, 2011

Fuel poverty is a term you would never have expected to hear in the UK. But unfortunately due to a series of massive price hikes, this is exactly the situation many people find themselves in today.

We all know that energy prices will rise over time but such sudden price hikes, with little or no explanation by the energy companies has left a particularly bad taste in the mouth that smacks of an uncompetitive market that is far too difficult for new players to get into.

The government is trying to help with various discount schemes and clear billing rules, but if you want to tackle how much you have to spend on energy in the long run, you need to think about making some practical changes to your property that will affect your energy requirements.

Here are some great ways to improve the energy efficiency of your home:

Turn Your Heating Down

It may seem like a simple suggestion but you may be surprised just how many people don’t consider this. If you are used to a warm house, you may find this hard, but if you bring the average temperature of your home down gradually over time you won’t feel the difference.

Check Your Tariff

Energy tariffs are pretty confusing. There are so many suppliers, with so many different variations on what looks like the same costing that it can be a bit overwhelming. If you have the time and the patience you should really make the effort to sit down with a pile of information and work out what is best for you. The least you should do is pay a visit to an independent price comparison site where you will hopefully find a cheaper tariff than what you are on currently.

Insulate Your Home

The government has provided help to certain household in the shape of loft and cavity wall insulation installation. But even if you don’t qualify for this assistance you will benefit by seeking out and installing this kind of insulation, along with other fixtures like looking out Double Glazing Prices and as one particular recommendation UPVC Windows and roofline products. Think of it like this: the more insulated you make your home, the less money you will have to spend on energy.

This energy price storm is unlikely to go away. It may calm down and it may ebb slightly but in the end, the best thing you can do is plan for the worst.

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Top Conservatory Buying Tips

Tuesday, April 26th, 2011

When you reach a stage where you are ready to buy a Conservatory there are a lot of decisions to make. Luckily the vast majority of them are very exciting and involve choosing colours and layouts and materials that will all go into your final completed structure. But there are of course many other choices to make that are absolutely crucial to get right. Here are some top conservatory buying tips to help your conservatory purchase go smoothly.

Be Sure of All Measurements

A key element of conservatory designs is in the measurements. Whether you are attempting to build your conservatory yourself or if you are wisely employing Ideal Windows and conservatories to do it, you should always take extra time to ensure you understand all the measurements before you start construction. Mark out the ground where your conservatory will sit with string and pegs for both the interior and exterior of the walls to give yourself a proper idea of where it will sit and how much room you will have for you and all your furniture. You can then be confident that you will be happy with the final structure.

Get Planning Permissions

While Ideal Windows and Conservatories will normally take care of all planning permission requirements for you, if you are thinking about doing it yourself you will have to make sure you are 100% certain you have acquired each and every permission you need before you lay a single brick. This is because without the right permissions, building regulators can force you to pull down your whole structure until you have them.

Wood or UPVC?

Choosing between wood and UPVC is a big decision. Ideal Windows and Conservatories have a Hardwood range and a UPVC range which both exceed the very highest of standards. However, not all conservatories, especially DIY ones, are so lucky. Poor wood conservatories can warp and crack if not installed properly, while cheap UPVC can look dated quickly, especially if the whole structure is not completed to a high enough standard.

Ideal Windows and Conservatories offer only the very highest standard of Hardwood and UPVC conservatories at affordable prices. This means that all you need to do is choose which look is right for your property. Hardwood conservatories tend to be considered more classical and elegant while UPVC are often seen as a more modern and dynamic choice.

Once you addressed each of these conservatory buying tips you can relax and enjoy seeing your carefully planned building taking shape.

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How to Fit Your Own Home Security Camera

Tuesday, April 19th, 2011

If like many people, you are concerned about home security you may want to consider getting a security camera system set up. These will in the first instance dissuade intruders from setting foot on your property as they will be able to see that they are being recorded. They will also of course record footage if any who does gain access to your home and aid in their identification and arrest. This takes your homes security a good step further than secure locking on doors and reinforced UPVC Windows.

If you already have an alarm system fitted to your main doors and windows, and maybe even have motion detectors set up with different zones for the interior, you will probably be best contacting whoever fitted these for you and getting them to integrate a camera system into your current set up. It is always recommended where possible, to get a professional to install security systems and equipment for you, to ensure it works properly, but understandably these can be expensive.

If however you just want a camera for security and want to do it yourself, here are some tips:

The key thing to get right when fitting a home security camera is to put it in the right location.

Firstly, there are privacy laws in place in the UK which mean you have to ensure that your camera doesn’t look inadvertently into your neighbour’s house or garden. With this in mind the best place to put your camera is facing the most important areas of your property; namely towards your front and back doors, your Conservatory or your garage or driveway. Be sure not to miss any blind spots or other vulnerable points on your property.

Once you have this sorted you need to decide where to fix the camera to your property. It is crucial that your camera is high enough that an intruder can’t just reach up and knock it off or cover it. Having said this you also want them to be able to see it in plain view as it should be as much worth as a deterrent as it is for recording anything that happens.

Finally, when you have chosen the right spot on the wall and decided which way it will be facing, you will need to be sure you can get power and video cables to it. Best thing to do is to check you have enough cable to reach your recording source before you actually attach your camera. If this is going to be an issue, you may need to splash out on a slightly more expensive wireless camera.

One final note: you may want to check with your local police before you finish, ensuring you aren’t breaking any privacy laws, and with a security firm to make sure you have done everything properly when you’re done.

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Does a Conservatory Add to Your Council Tax?

Friday, March 25th, 2011

One extremely common question regarding conservatories is about council tax. There is a common misconception that when you get a Conservatory that increases the value of your property, you will then see an increase in your council tax. This is often assumed as people know that council tax is based on how much your property is worth, which is true, but what people don’t know is that the value of your property which your council tax is based on is the price which your house value was on 1st April 1991 – the set date for all council tax valuations.

Really?

Yes indeed. Even if your new conservatory increases the value of your property to a value which pushes it into the next council tax category, your council tax band won’t change until you sell your property. In which case:

“[I]t is the new occupier who is liable for any increase in banding and this is effective from the date of the sale.”- Valuation Office Agency

Plus don’t forget your house will still be valued based on what it would have been on 1st April 1991, so if your property’s new value looks like it should be over the value threshold and now be in a higher council tax bracket you need to look back at what it would have been in 1991 and you may find it still doesn’t have to move brackets.

What about if you add a whole new annex?

One of the very few situations where making an improvement to your home can change your council tax is if you add a whole new annex on to your property. An annex in this situation is classed as ‘a building, or part of a building, which has been constructed or adapted for use as separate living accommodation’: for example, a separate small flat for an elderly relative. Any structure that is created as an extra living quarter, even if it shares some facilities with the main building, will require its own council tax band.

See what band your property is in and more information on council tax in Scotland on these pages from the Scottish Assessors Association or the old Scottish Executive website.

So to sum up, you don’t need to worry about if your council tax is going to change when you add a conservatory, but you do if you are adding a whole new annex.

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Checking Your Conservatory for Damage Following the Worst Winter in 100 Years?

Tuesday, February 22nd, 2011

This winter has officially been one of the worst in recorded history in the UK. Average temperatures for some areas reached as low as -16°C and snow fall caused massive disruption to road and rail networks. The severity of the weather even had an effect on the economy with George Osborne blaming the weather on Britain’s zero growth in the last quarter.

If you are one of the many people in the UK who have wisely invested in a Conservatory, you may have been unlucky enough to have had it damaged by the winter conditions. Heavy build up of snow on roofs can cause damage to conservatory guttering and downpipes, decorative elements can be damaged by falling ice, double glazing can get cracked by chunks of heavy ice slipping off your roof and even damaged overhanging trees can be a real threat to the integrity of your conservatory. So how did your conservatory stand up this winter?

Check it now

If you are not sure if you sustained any damage or not, now is certainly the best time to go and check it out. Cracks and broken seals should be fixed immediately to maintain the energy efficiency and the security integrity of your structure. First you should check every window especially those on the roof, including the seal, the handles and the locks. Next you should go outside and check every seal, every pane of glass and all the roofline sections that connect to your conservatory. While you’re out there you may as well take this opportunity to check your roof and your roofline all around your property for damage.

Get it fixed

Next step is obviously to get any damage fixed. Cracks and broken guttering etc will only get worse and give the elements an opportunity to hurt your conservatory even more. Ideal Windows and conservatories offer comprehensive double glazing repairs and conservatory repair services. They can come out to your property and give you a free estimate on request. Also, even if your property is not damaged they can assess your old conservatory and offer to renovate it. This will mean that even if we see weather like that again soon, your property will already have been brought up to the highest standards and you can feel confident from the moment the first snowflakes fall, that your property is strong, secure and ready for anything mother nature can dish out.

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Who Benefits Most When It Is Hard To Buy A House?

Wednesday, January 26th, 2011

If you are caught up somewhere in the troubled housing market at the moment you might be interested (or irritated) to know that there are plenty of ways people will be benefiting from your discomfort. At present, if you are trying to sell a house you may be met with little interest as people are more careful with their money than usual. If you are trying to buy a property you may have lots of houses to choose from but struggle to qualify for a mortgage as banks tighten their belts and may well ask you for an astronomical deposit that you just can’t afford. The fallout from this stalemate does however offer some people something good.

Storage Companies

One of the big winners is storage companies. (Safestore, for example, recently reported a 9% increase in revenue compared with the same period last year.) You must have seen their giant warehouses springing up on the outskirts of your town offering you space to store your stuff. They basically provide you with a room and a lock and an assurance that your stuff will be safe for a few pounds a day. As a result of people finding themselves in between properties they may be left without room for their accumulated junk. Until they have an appropriate house, the storage company will keep taking their money.

Landlords

The rental market is booming. Anyone that has a second property at the moment will have absolutely no problem renting it out. It is lot harder for first time buyers to afford a deposit so are forced to rent for much longer than they may have liked. Plus as people may be forced to relocate for a job, it is not uncommon for a house to be sold with having one to move into. This allows landlords to rent out flats and houses while these unfortunate people are stuck in housing limbo.

Housing Agencies

There are a number of housing agencies dotted across the UK who own, manage and populate private properties for councils. Without there being enough council owned properties available for all the people looking for a council house, housing agencies offer a route for councils to take. Councils take a portion of their budget for housing and hand it over to the housing agency, giving them a single client that accounts for the vast majority of their income for the year, if not all of it.

You

As a buyer, you may benefit from the drop in house prices if you are able to get the deposit together, leaving you with lesser mortgage to pay off in the long run. While as a seller, you may be convinced to stay where you are and instead decide to add to your current property by getting a beautiful Conservatory or perhaps start considering sunrooms from Ideal Windows and conservatories.

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