Haven't been living in Maidstone long. I'm looking to join a gym, there are afew in the area so wanted to know what peoples thoughts are on which ones are worth the money.
Sorry this will be a long read.
Hello everyone, I'd love some advice on my renovation strategy. I'm a first-time buyer and want to be smart about increasing my property's value long-term rather than rushing into expensive work.
In all of your opinions, when buying a house, what's the best thing to do to improve the selling price. Am I over thinking this or am I on the right path?
Property Details:
I just bought this property to live it as a FTB and I want to increase its value over the next 5-7 years. I've recently taken on a lodger which gives me an extra £600 monthly (I have an additional £500 extra a month aswell - not massive, but enough to fund renovations gradually without a large lump sum. I'm planning a phased approach rather than doing it all at once.
The boring but important areas first:
Basement - I recently had another survey which said there's no evidence of dry rot, I will be getting an annual survey of the basement for peace of mind and to add to the future salability of the property. Plan is to keep it as original as possible and add a bar/dart board, wine racks, barrel table, some seating i guess a 'man cave' so to speak. I have mechanical airvent 24/7. Will add x2 airbricks aswell. And reseal the mortar in the front elevation.
Roof - I had the front gutters and 1.5 meters of roof felt, batons ect replaced and a dry verge ridge? (between roofs) I will be adding airvented roof tiles to add more ventilation and also updating the gutters on the back because its not attached to down pipe. Bricks below chimney in roof are spalled so will replace and repoint where needed.
Brick walls- I am going to remove paints that are not breathable and replace spalled bricks. I am going to add mortar to the areas that are missing on the bottom front elevation. (when I say 'I', I mean either my dad or a tradesman)
Cosmetic Ideas:
- Small downstairs toilet in utility room
- 5ftx3 shed and have more plants and spread grass seeds to have lawn area
- Larger loft hatch and properly boarded loft for storage
- Master bedroom build-in wardrobe
- build-in shelving/cabinets in living room alcoves & upstairs hallway
- Recarpet with underlay (All carpeted areas are straight onto floorboards)
- exposed stairs with carpet runner on stairs and upstairs hallway
- wooded floorboards in living room (this is above basement)
- new upvc windows x6 (these are sash size windows)
- add 'airing cupboard' where tank used to be
- adding coving/ceiling roses/painting in living room, hallway, stairs and master
- Basement into wine cellar bar - cleaning stone and brick walls, removing limewash, repointing, fill missing floor bricks, add down lighting in alcoves
- kitchen is new but basic, I want to update it but try to keep as much of the original units as I can, not sure if more hassel, ceramic sink/marble looking worktop, add corner cupboard and increase worktop.
- Update bathroom but keep existing tiles, they are navy blue and beige but with gold hardware and furnishings, I can make it work (have installed a new shower screen and vision is coming alive) want sink unit with cupboard and matching coloured bath panels
I want to do most of these things myself (and my parents) and as cheap as possible but well. I think the ceiling price in this area will around £270,000 but I think that is unrealistic for this house and if 50% of houses don't sell then maybe I could sell for £250,000-£260,000. But who knows what the market is be like in 5-7-10 years.
Are my ideas on the right path or are they too expensive (downstairs toilet) or has the survey ruined any future buyers (dry rot)
Thank you for reading all this way.
Sorry this will be a long read.
Hello everyone, I'd love some advice on my renovation strategy. I'm a first-time buyer and want to be smart about increasing my property's value long-term rather than rushing into expensive work.
In all of your opinions, when buying a house, what's the best thing to do to improve the selling price. Am I over thinking this or am I on the right path?
Property Details:
I just bought this property to live it as a FTB and I want to increase its value over the next 5-7 years. I've recently taken on a lodger which gives me an extra £600 monthly (I have an additional £500 extra a month aswell - not massive, but enough to fund renovations gradually without a large lump sum. I'm planning a phased approach rather than doing it all at once.
The boring but important areas first:
Basement - I recently had another survey which said there's no evidence of dry rot, I will be getting an annual survey of the basement for peace of mind and to add to the future salability of the property. Plan is to keep it as original as possible and add a bar/dart board, wine racks, barrel table, some seating i guess a 'man cave' so to speak. I have mechanical airvent 24/7. Will add x2 airbricks aswell. And reseal the mortar in the front elevation.
Roof - I had the front gutters and 1.5 meters of roof felt, batons ect replaced and a dry verge ridge? (between roofs) I will be adding airvented roof tiles to add more ventilation and also updating the gutters on the back because its not attached to down pipe. Bricks below chimney in roof are spalled so will replace and repoint where needed.
Brick walls- I am going to remove paints that are not breathable and replace spalled bricks. I am going to add mortar to the areas that are missing on the bottom front elevation. (when I say 'I', I mean either my dad or a tradesman)
Cosmetic Ideas:
- Small downstairs toilet in utility room
- 5ftx3 shed and have more plants and spread grass seeds to have lawn area
- Larger loft hatch and properly boarded loft for storage
- Master bedroom build-in wardrobe
- build-in shelving/cabinets in living room alcoves & upstairs hallway
- Recarpet with underlay (All carpeted areas are straight onto floorboards)
- exposed stairs with carpet runner on stairs and upstairs hallway
- wooded floorboards in living room (this is above basement)
- new upvc windows x6 (these are sash size windows)
- add 'airing cupboard' where tank used to be
- adding coving/ceiling roses/painting in living room, hallway, stairs and master
- Basement into wine cellar bar - cleaning stone and brick walls, removing limewash, repointing, fill missing floor bricks, add down lighting in alcoves
- kitchen is new but basic, I want to update it but try to keep as much of the original units as I can, not sure if more hassel, ceramic sink/marble looking worktop, add corner cupboard and increase worktop.
- Update bathroom but keep existing tiles, they are navy blue and beige but with gold hardware and furnishings, I can make it work (have installed a new shower screen and vision is coming alive) want sink unit with cupboard and matching coloured bath panels
I want to do most of these things myself (and my parents) and as cheap as possible but well. I think the ceiling price in this area will around £270,000 but I think that is unrealistic for this house and if 50% of houses don't sell then maybe I could sell for £250,000-£260,000. But who knows what the market is be like in 5-7-10 years.
Are my ideas on the right path or are they too expensive (downstairs toilet) or has the survey ruined any future buyers (dry rot)
Thank you for reading all this way.