If there’s a chance you could sell your Chelmsford home in the next few years, think before you rush into making any major home renovations.
While you might read about celebrities investing in fancy wine cellars (David Beckham’s building one for his 7,000 bottles of plonk) or bespoke nature ponds (Ed Sheeran’s has a jetty), the reality is that pet projects rarely pay off.
What one enthusiastic home renovator sees as original and bold, could seem dated in a few years’ time.
Of course, your home should reflect who you are – there’s more to life than nondescript neutral palettes.
But there are ways to personalise your property without harming your chances of securing a good selling price further down the track (unless you’re David Beckham or Ed Sheeran and money is no object).
Steer clear of spending big on features or structural changes that the next owner might find difficult or expensive to remove.
Instead, put your stamp on your home through colourful photo galleries, eye-catching artworks and bright feature walls (that you can paint over further down the track).
Common renovation mistakes
1 Adding a tiny bathroom
An additional bathroom can add real value to a property – but size really does matter. If you need a shoehorn to wiggle your way in and out, it’s more trouble (and money) than it’s worth.
2 Hot tubs
Hot tubs are the Marmite of the garden world – people either love them or hate them. For some, a hot tub is the height of luxury; for others, it screams ‘wife swap’. It’s a question of personal taste but be aware that would-be buyers might have concerns about costs, upkeep, and nosy neighbours.
3 Other outdoor statement pieces
Expensive climbing frames, ornate water features and fountains might be a turn-off as they can be costly and cumbersome to remove.
4 Bold coloured kitchen cabinets
A fresh and modern kitchen can be a worthwhile investment but be wary of getting carried away with current trends. Install neutral-coloured cabinets as they won’t date as quickly. If you want to make a statement, do so by hanging eye-catching artworks or a bespoke splashback that you can remove at a later date.
5 Single bedrooms
If you’re tempted to convert a generous bedroom into two smaller rooms, think carefully. Parents of young children may believe that creating two smaller rooms that can accommodate single beds is the perfect antidote to sibling arguments. But potential buyers may find itty-bitty spaces that don’t serve a clear purpose (and are too small for at least a double bed and some storage) off-putting.
If you’d like more advice about selling your Chelmsford home, or to tell us your views on hot tubs, get in touch with us here at Martin & Co.
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