Have you ever considered making some changes to your home to increase its value? Almost all of us have, but very few of us take steps to actually realise these ambitions. It is understandable though; where there’s money on the line there is a genuine element of risk involved.

Investing your hard-earned cash into a project that doesn’t pay dividends is nothing short of disastrous. To prove the old adage ‘you’ve got to spend money to make money’ true, we have put together this list of ways you can boost the value of your home.

Identifying and remedying existing problems

Increasing the value of your property starts with identifying any existing issues. No one wants to buy a property plagued by problems. Once they’ve been identified, whatever they may be: damp-prone walls, missing roof tiles, or an unkempt garden, they need to be rectified as quickly as possible. If damp has been a persistent issue, it is an issue that needs prioritising.

Penetrating damp can very quickly lay waste to your home. If it does manage to infiltrate your home’s defences, a sodden floor is the very least of your problems. Damp, at its worst, can even cause respiratory problems.

To ward off damp and its ill-effects, it is well worth considering applying external wall coatings. Weatherproof and designed to last for at least 25 years, they are an extremely effective way to shore up your home’s defences and keep damp out of your home.

Make the most of space

The single most effective way to add value to your home is to simply make better use of the space available to you. There are a number of different ways to do so: loft conversions and kitchen extensions are just two of many.  In the UK though, one of the most wasteful uses of space is a garage. 90% of British garages don’t even contain a car, making their overhaul one of the best ways to boost the value of your home. Swapping out a garage for more living space is ideal for bettering the way your home uses space.

Sometimes, it is even worth sacrificing some of the aesthetic appeals of your home for a practical purpose. In an area where parking is at a premium, it can be a worthwhile move to forsake your garden in favour of a driveway. Providing potential buyers with something that is in great demand is a financially astute move.

The importance of colour

Everyone is aware that the appearance of a property is undoubtedly a defining factor in determining its worth. Even so, you’d be surprised how much of an impact something as little as the colour of an exterior can play in creating value. In the US, greige (grey and beige) exteriors sold for $1526 more on average. Meanwhile, brown (medium brown, taupe or stucco) exteriors sold for $1970 less on average. Subtle tonal differences can actually play a pivotal role.