Who wants to move when you can improve? House prices have risen steadily since the recession, and although newspapers have noted a pause in the rise since the Brexit vote, this is to ignore the surge that preceded the referendum. House prices will continue to rise, and this momentary pause is more a plateau in a continuing ascent, rather than a snow-capped peak, with a precipitous drop on the other side.
Now is not the best time to move. Financial analysis suggests that it is too early to appreciate the repercussions of Brexit, and since there is uncertainty in the housing market, there is a good deal of risk for those deciding to move house this summer. All of this is without even factoring in the additional costs of estate agency fees, stamp duty, and, of course, the removal company.
Even the savviest real-estate investors are holding off on property purchases until they know what is going on. Individuals with mortgages have more to lose than large companies, and should therefore employ these simple DIY fixes to add value to their homes in the meantime.
Extend your living space
One of the best ways of adding both personal and financial value to your home is by adding a garden room extension. Though conservatories have been popular since the noughties, many homeowners have regretted the installation because of their lack of thermal efficiency. Garden room extensions are better insulated, can have fewer windows (which equals more wall space for hanging pictures and television sets, and greater heat retention), and are better in keeping with the overall brick-and-mortar style of the house.
Homeowners are often daunted by the time and cost entailed by such an extension. However, while it is true that extensions can often take twice as long to build as a conservatory, and cost almost a third more, on average, what they add in style and individuality is more than worth it.
Advantages of an orangery
If you are looking for an extension that combines the best of both worlds, why not opt for an orangery? Orangeries were originally built for the opulent stately homes of the 17th and 18th century Dutch aristocracies, and could house flowers, exotic shrubs, and – you guessed it – orange trees, because of their agreeable, year-round temperatures.
Orangeries are heavily-glazed, like conservatories, but also make use of brick, mortar, and stone for their design, and can therefore be considered a halfway house between a room extension and conservatory. Orangeries tend to hark back to an era of classical design, and leave behind much of that PVC, prefabricated style that plagues the modern conservatory.
Better quality conservatories
Nevertheless, conservatories do not have to be this way. For a look that harmonises with your garden, and brings an airy, summer-bound feel to your home, why not try a timber-framed conservatory?
Consultation
When deciding how and when to get started on home improvements, why not invite an estate agent or interior decorator into your home for a consultation? Estate agents will often provide this service as a courtesy, but it can be better to pay a decorator simply because their suggestions are likely to be more constructive. Decorators have artistic vision and panache, whereas estate agents may be more likely to criticise than to suggest.
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication
Some of the best improvements you can make to your home are also the simplest ones. The devil really is in those details. A few licks of paint can make your home almost unrecognisable – especially if you take care coordinating your colours. For inspiration, try visiting photo-sharing websites such as Pinterest, and searching under home improvement. Many enterprising homeowners have already found for you the cleanest and most tasteful colour combinations, and this is much more effective than a Dulux Colour Chart for allowing you to visualise the end result.
Work with what you have
Along with this, simple maintenance can be the key to making your home both more loved and more loveable. Painting external woodwork is a good way to liven up the façade of your house, and by using the right paints and varnishes, you can protect precious timber window and door frames. Be sure to sand these frames down with wire wool every five years to prevent rotting and to remove flaky paint coatings.
You do not have to go to the lengths of installing PVC windows and doors such as those touted by door-to-door salesmen. PVC fixtures often have that ‘prefab’ look you’ll want to avoid. Although salesmen will frequently tell you that PVC will last until the Day of Judgement, the fact that most paint companies now sell PVC paint ranges suggests otherwise.
Need to find a local builder or achitect to help you with your extension? Be sure to check out the trusted traders listed on our website directory.
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