How to add value to your property with renovations

When it comes to home renovations, the money that you put in cannot always be recouped when it comes time to sell.

Most people want to get the best value for their dollar when doing home renovations and there are some important things to keep in mind.

We all want to maximise that precious renovation budget to achieve a better return when it's time to sell.

Here are some ideas for property renovation or remodeling tips to help you add value to your property when it comes to time to sell.

Let there be space and light

Dark, cramped rooms are no good when it comes to real estate. One thing that homeowners can do to increase the appeal of their property is open the house to create more of a flow and enhance natural light.

If your house has small rooms that block the flow of natural light, you may want to consider knocking down some walls and opening your floor plan. Open floor plans usually involve combining your kitchen, dining and living areas into one big space that suits a casual lifestyle.

Vaulted ceilings are another idea that can help create the illusion of more space. Skylights can help flood your home in natural light. There are several options when it comes to brightening up your home with natural light and these options have a range of prices.

Update the heart of your home

Kitchen remodels can really add value to your home, but it is also important to be careful. It's known as the heart of the house for a good reason. When planning a kitchen remodel, it is important to consider the cost of your materials versus the value.

An updated kitchen appeals to a buyer's emotions and a homeowner's wallet because, if done correctly, it can give you close to a 100 percent return on your investment. Plenty of counter and cabinet space is a must, and granite countertops are popular with buyers.

Replacing old door knobs, cupboard handles, tap fittings, and ceiling lights is good for a quick, low-cost revamp while, for the more adventurous, updating the splashbacks with new tiles can give the space instant rejuvenation.

The landscape and the curb appeal

The curb appeal of your home is incredibly important when it comes time to sell. The first impression of a home that someone will have is from the look of the exterior.

If the exterior color of your house is dated or fading, painting is a good place to start your improvements. Choose colors and exterior details that match the period of your house. Shutters add charm and depth, but not if they're hanging crooked or flaking paint.

The driveway should be paved properly, and any lawn space should be properly maintained. Consider drought tolerant plants if you are not great at gardening. If you have a deck, add some nice furniture, or create a colorful garden in some extra space.

Create a study or a home office

With many people choosing to work from nowadays and more companies giving employees the option to telecommute, it might be wise to create a home office space to appeal to the potential buyer.

Converting an unused den, sunroom or extra bedroom is a great way to take care of business from the comfort of your home. You'll want to make sure that you have plenty of space to spread out your workload and ample cabinets for storing supplies and archival paperwork.

Update or add another bathroom

Bathroom renovations tend to be fairly low-cost and can deliver good bang for your buck. If there are not enough bathrooms or if they are very outdated, it will be a big turn off to potential buyers.

Updating bathroom amenities and fixtures or adding an additional bathroom if you have the space can really increase a home's sale appeal.

Before you decide on a remodel, consider the cost versus the value, and decide if the remodel you want to do is a worthy investment. Besides the above-mentioned renovations, there more renovations that could add value to your property, have a thorough look around to see what you can do.