Not all projects are improvements, and some can actually devalue your home or make it harder to sell in the long run.
Lots of us got stuck into DIY projects when we were all spending more time at home during lockdown, and this trend has continued.
But not all projects are improvements, and some can actually devalue your home or make it harder to sell in the long run.
Here's our five ‘improvements’ to avoid.
1. Merging bedrooms
Consider carefully if you’re thinking of converting a bedroom to a bathroom or merging rooms to give yourself a bigger space. The value of a house comes from the number of rooms, and losing one could knock up to 20 per cent off the value.
2. Textured walls and ceilings
It may be tempting to add texture to hide any wall or ceiling imperfections – but potential buyers may suspect damage, and this could lose you the sale. Instead of covering up imperfections, have any damage properly repaired – it will save you money in the long run.
3. Removing the bath
If your family has grown and flown, you may be tempted to get rid of your bath to give you more space or replace it with a large walk-in shower. But this could make your property harder to sell, as baths are essential for families, and you may lose many potential buyers.
4. Extensions without permission
Extending a property can be a big bonus, but make sure you have full approval before you do so. Any extensions built without planning permission may have to be pulled down, as the new homeowner will have to apply themselves for the appropriate permission.
5. Statement tiles
We all love bold colours here and there, but it’s better to keep things neutral when selling your home. A brightly painted wall can easily be covered over, but too many quirky patterned or vivid tiles can put buyers off as they will be expensive to remove and replace.
