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As a homeowner, it pays to invest in your quality of life while living at your property. Not only will you have a better time using your house, but you can also add some value while doing so. For instance, modern buyers often ask about smart home features. Making your smart home worth more to them. Here are some things that benefit you and buyers while adding value.
Add More Natural Light
Natural light is one of the most sought-after features of a home. As a homeowner, you can add some value to your home by making some changes that make use of the sun. Some examples include glass doors and larger windows from companies like Advanced Window Products. Skylights are also a popular option for flooding your open plan kitchen area or sunroom with more light. But on a personal level, natural light improves your life. For example, UV rays help promote vitamin D, are anti-bacterial, and promote better sleep by tuning your circadian rhythm.
Don't Neglect Security
Security is always important. And a secure home is a safe one. When your home is secure, you will rest better with hopeful peace of mind. And improving the security of your home isn't as challenging as you might think. The most obvious choice is a burglar alarm. And you can have one installed for relatively little money. Further, CCTV and smart video doorbells add an extra layer of security because you can see who is on your property. And just having these is a good deterrent. Finally, protection adds value to your home while reducing insurance costs.
Add a Garage for Better Quality of Life
A garage is an excellent addition to your home. Its true purpose is to protect your vehicles from the elements. But there are additional benefits such as reducing theft, adding some extra storage space, and an aesthetic value. Because of the versatility of a garage, you can add as much as 20% to the value of your home, depending on the size. So a garage is a great financial investment. However, a garage will increase your quality of life too. For example, you no longer need to worry about severe cold affecting your vehicles, such as frosted windows in winter.
Create a Peaceful Garden
One of the main reasons you might buy a house is to have some land to call your own. For most, this is a front yard and back garden. And these can vary in size. But no matter their sizes, you are losing out on a vastly improved lifestyle if you don't make the most of your land. Creating a beautiful garden is an ongoing process and requires maintenance. But you get to enjoy the gifts of nature in private. Additionally, your health is improved with fresh vegetables, herbs, and simply being around nature. And buyers will pay more for this fantastic privilege.
Add Solid Ground
Greenery in your garden has excellent benefits such as mental health and well-being and additional home value. But you can make further use of your land if you have enough space since buyers will pay for a more functional area such as decking or a patio. Decking and patios provide an additional way to enjoy your private surroundings without venturing into the grass. They're also much safer because they provide a level and solid ground for chairs and tables. In addition, they are sustainable and will last longer, adding between 10% and 20% property value.
Consider an Extension
As your family grows, extending your home is often more beneficial than moving. An extension is an excellent way to add value, which can be significant depending on the type. For instance, adding a single bedroom could add up to 20% value. And this can be more if you add features such as an en-suite. Of course, your quality of life is vastly improved with more space for a teen or young adult child. In addition, your children can gain a sense of independence while attending college. At the same time, you know where they are and that they are safe at home.
Take Care of Your Home
If you have owned your home for any length of time, then you know maintenance is an ongoing process. As you get one thing done, another issue pops up. And even though some problems are minor, they can put a buyer off. Therefore, take care of the smaller things, such as:
Install longer-lasting and cheaper-to-use LED light bulbs.
Redecorate or paint worn areas every couple of years.
Regularly wash your windows and external doors.
Buy a carpet cleaner and give them a good clean every month.
Dust the home every other day to keep dust from settling.
Install air purifiers to keep allergens to a minimum.
Regularly check drainage and guttering systems before and after rain.
Check emergency systems such as fire alarms are working each month.
A well-kept, clean and tidy home has a much higher chance of a quick sale. However, you're the one who has to live there. So it makes sense to make your home as safe, clean, and comfortable as possible. Otherwise, you risk health issues and problems such as depression.
Consider Open-Plan Living
Most homes, especially older ones, are divided into specific rooms with specific functions. For instance, there's a kitchen, dining room, and lounge. But the last decade or so has seen open-plan living become a massive trend in home projects. Open-plan design cultivates a more integrated way to live and encourages socialization within your home. But it also uses space better, making the house feel roomier and flooded with more natural light. As a result, you can also ask for up to 15% more with an open-plan home since buyers often look for this.
Renovate Key Areas
Renovation is a costly endeavor. It takes time, money, and planning. However, the results far outweigh the temporary stress. And renovating key areas can increase both the value of your home and the chances of a quicker sale. These rooms include the bathroom and kitchen since these are typically the first two rooms buyers inspect when viewing your home. Each can add between 5% and 10% value to your home for a total of between 10% and 20% if you renovate both. And, of course, you get to use these attractive brand new rooms in the meantime.
Make a Functional Family Space
The way in which the modern world works can make it feel like we don't spend enough family time together. Social media, mobile devices, and local attractions keep the kids away from home life. And increased pressure to work more or longer hours means parents don't spend enough time at home either. And while most families socialize at meal times, this is also on the decline. Therefore it's essential to make a space specifically for spending time together. A family room with entertainment and games will help strengthen bonds and encourage family activities.
Smart Homes Offer Quality of Life
Smart technology is more affordable and accessible than ever. The benefits are stunning, especially for the disabled. For example, you can set automated routines to switch on devices in the morning. Or turn lights on and off simply by asking for it. You can also control your security alarms, locks, and CCTV with smart-enabled devices. But as a seller, you can increase the chances of a sale with smart devices. A recent survey by an established realtor found that more than half of buyers would choose a home with smart features over a similar one without.
Make Your Home Pet-Friendly
What would life be without furry friends? Cats, dogs, hamsters! It's hard to find someone who doesn't love animals. And you can improve your life with a friendly companion. Animals of all kinds, such as mammals and reptiles, have been shown to benefit mental health. Support animals are now a recognized form of therapy for people with anxiety and depression and social disorders. So your life can become so much better with a friend for life. Therefore, making some minor adjustments, such as doggie doors and cat flaps, also adds some home value.
Ensure Guests Feel Welcome
Finally, humans are social animals, and being alone and isolated is detrimental to mental and physical health. Studies have shown that people living alone or isolated are at much higher risk of issues such as obesity, high blood pressure, and dementia. But if you have a spare room, you can open up your home to guests. Hosting guests, such as friends and family, is a great way to reconnect and strengthen familial bonds. However, you can also make some money with a guest room if you have no family. Something in which a buyer will definitely see the value.
Summary
Improving your quality of life is a process with many ups and downs as you go through life. Many things affect your life quality, but your home is one of the greatest. Improving your home will improve many aspects of your life and add value if you want to sell. These include more natural light, ongoing maintenance, and facilities for hosting guests.
*contributed post*
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