Skip to page content |

Tiscali Quicklinks. Please visit our Accessibility Page for a list of the Access Keys you can use to find your way around the site, skip directly to the main navigation, to the page content, or to more links within money.

Advertisement starts

Advertisement ends

Content Starts Here

Mortgage guide

Invest in your nest

Invest in your nest

Search: Doing up your home

- Check the best mortgage deals
- Pryor on property: news and views

One of the ways of making the most money from your home is to make it attractive to buyers. Remember that if you don't keep your property up to date any buyer will be thinking of how much it will cost to make the improvements and drop their offer accordingly.

Some improvements are worth spending money on and can add value to your home. Other work may actually cost more than the value it adds or positively detract from the price.

Some do's and don'ts

  • Do try to spend money on making the crucial kitchen area appealing to potential buyers.
  • Do spend some money on a nice front door. Most people make a decision before they even go inside.
  • Do invest in central heating. It costs about £2,000 for the average three-bedroomed home.
  • Do install a fully-fitted bathroom. You can have the full monty, for £1,000 upwards. Spend the most you can afford. Keep the room classic white and don't go for anything faddy.
  • Consider a conservatory. A good one will add five per cent to the value of your home. They cost from £10,000 but are real investments - especially if you sell your home in summer.
  • Do fit a security system. Crime is on everyone's mind and burglaries are on the increase all over Britain. Spend around £500.
  • Do plant shrubs. By tidying up your borders and adding a splash of colour you can add £1,000 to the value.

  • Don't skimp on the bathroom and don't use any colour scheme except classic white.
  • Don't over-decorate. Stick to neutral colours - less is more.
  • Don't clutter your rooms. It can make your home look small and dark. Even if you like clutter potential buyers won't pack away as much as you can while you are selling.
  • Don't have stone cladding. It is expensive and will put off buyers.
  • Don't attempt any jobs yourself unless you are a DIY whizzkid. Bodged jobs are a big turn-off to prospective buyers.
  • Don't have UPVC double glazing if you have an old home. As a general rule it is best not to double glaze any house built before the turn of the century.
  • Don't spend vast amounts of money on carpets and curtains. People's tastes are different.
  • Don't put in a swimming pool. They cost around £15,000 plus £500 a year to maintain. They put buyers with young children off. Pools only add value to houses worth £300,000 or more in areas where other houses have pools. Put one in a house worth less than this and you will lose the money you paid for the pool as well as reducing the asking price.

    And if you need a loan to help pay for your home improvements then check out the best value deals with our loan finder.

    Back to the Mortgage guide index

    Previous page : Next page

    • page: 1 | 2

    Related Links

    Mortgage Advice

    Mortgage advice
    Get our financial team do the work for you and find the best deal on the market from more than 7,000 mortgages.

    Best mortgage rates
    Discover the best mortgage rates include fixed, capped, and discount-rate mortgages and standard variable rates with our brilliant mortgage finder tool.

    property search

     
     
    Property Finder
    Business mortgages
    Buying premises? Then get a commercial mortgage quote.
    Moving home
    Moving homeSome tools to help make moving less stressful.

    Advertisement starts

    Advertisement ends

    More Links Within This Section

    -->
    NEWS

    Main Navigation


    Search

    Page Footer

    print now Print now send to a friend Send to a friend related articles Related articles related products Related products

    Check shares

    Check shares
    Look up latest prices
    more...

    Best Loans

    Best Loans
    Search for the best rate.
    more...

    Dating

    Dating
    Find the love of your life
    more...

    TV guide

    TV Guide
    What's on the box?
    more...
    | Advertise | Press | Work at Tiscali | Site Map | Service Status | Help | Contact Us
    © Tiscali 2008
    IT | NET | SERVICES
    . . . .