Home improvements will lift the value of your house

In tough economic times, you may need to fall back on your house to tide over financial difficulties – and this is where the right home improvements can do wonders for you

By: Hitesh Khan/

In the days of an uncertain economic growth and job insecurity, there’s no place like home sweet home. Even with the property cooling measures introduced in July last year, homeowners can still recoup 80 to 90 per cent of the money spent on home improvements.

The key in home improvements is to know where to spend. Just because you put $20,000 into renovations, it won’t necessarily add that much value. If your house needs  better plumbing and electrical systems, you won’t see a return on it for a while because people expect that in a house they’re buying to be in good shape. Bad plumbing will detract from the value, but new plumbing won’t necessarily drive up the price tag.

The key to adding value is to focus on the things that are important to buyers, and to overdo in home improvements. You don’t want to have the most expensive home on the block.

Here, in no particular order, are some tips for how to get the best bang for your buck on your home improvements, even in a tight real estate market.

1. In real estate, dark and cramped are no good, so a little light goes a long way

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

This makes a small house feel light and airy, giving the illusion of a larger living area. Open rooms create an inviting atmosphere for entertaining, because kitchen duties can be performed while hanging out with guests. It’s also great for young families because it allows parents to work on dinner while keeping an eye on the youngsters. Adding rooms is also a big value booster.

2. Green is in

So many companies are looking for ways to reduce costs and minimise their carbon footprint. One way is to offer telecommuting options for employees. Many Singaporeans work from home, and that number grows every year. This has made a home office more of a necessity than a luxury.

Creating a dedicated work space adds value to your home, Converting an 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 work load and ample cabinets for storing supplies and archival paperwork. You also need an ergonomic workstation.

The rule of thumb is a 26-inch (66-centimeter) high desk and a computer keyboard situated 23 to 28 inches (58 to 71 centimeters) from your body. Your chair height should be 15 to 21 inches (38 to 53 centimeters) from the floor.

3. Painting is one of the least expensive ways to freshen and improve your home’s look

Painting will consequently improve the value  of your home. And we’re talking everywhere, including interior features as well. A coat of paint can do wonders to brighten up dingy cupboards, for example, or old paneling. In the past, neutral colors were seen as the best way to create a fresh, bright, versatile look. But today, people crave color, so don’t be afraid to consider a wide range of hues.

Just stay away from super-bright colors, such as hot pink or neon yellow. Don’t really have an eye for color? Not a neat painter? Then hire a professional. Painting is such an affordable home enhancement that you can probably manage to spend a little on an interior designer who can help select colors, and a professional painter to do the dirty work.

4. Update your bathroom

Updating your bathrooms, especially master baths, will add considerable value to your house. A master suite with his and her sinks, spacious showers and plenty of square footage are what buyers are looking for. Added amenities such steam showers and whirlpool tubs will serve you well, and ample storage is a must.

Traditional ceramic tile floors are preferred over wood flooring because they handle water better. If you want to go green, low-flow toilets and skylights are good choices. Keep your design in the same period as the rest of your house. You can still have modern amenities while retaining a classic look. Don’t be shy when it comes to spending – the average bathroom remodel can get you back the majority of your investment.

5. Everyone gravitates towards the Kitchen

Have you ever noticed everyone gravitates toward the kitchen during a party? It’s known as the heart of the home for a good reason. The draw of your kitchen to party-goers has the same value to potential buyers, so a kitchen remodel is one of the best ways to add value to your house.

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 per cent return on your investment on home improvements. Plenty of counter and cabinet space is a must, and granite counter-tops are popular with buyers. Stainless-steel appliances are also a hot ticket, but the most important thing is to make sure your appliances all coordinate. Island counters are wonderful additions if your kitchen has the space. They not only provide additional counter space, but can also be used for homework, grabbing a quick bite or a place for guests to hang out while you cook.

Do you know enough about how property valuation is done in Singapore?

Knowing how to calculate the property valuation is of paramount importance to a home owner. It can help you determine whether you are overpaying for a home, or whether you have gotten yourself a real bargain. Paying the right price is just one way you can avoid overspending on your property.

Another smart way to avoid overspending on your property is to get the right loan. Getting the right loan can be a much simpler task, but only if you get the right person to it for you. Get in touch with iCompareLoan’s loan consultant to help you get the best loan deal at the right price.

The iCompareLoan mortgage brokers can set you up on a path that can get you a home loan in a quick and seamless manner. We are the experts who do the work for you for free, while you lean back, rest and rely on our professionalism at absolutely no cost to you.

Our brokers have close links with the best lenders in town and can help you compare Singapore home loans and settle for a package that best suits your home purchase needs. Find out money saving tips here.

Whether you are looking for a new home loan or to refinance, the Mortgage broker can help you get everything right from calculating mortgage repayment, comparing interest rates all through to securing the best home loans in Singapore. And the good thing is that all our services are free of charge. So it’s all worth it to secure a loan through us.

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