If you are asking questions like: What are the hidden qualities that with little effort will allow you to boost the value of your purchase? How to make the right choice that will keep the property in demand at all times? What are the characteristics that can improve appearance and use of the existing space without remodelling?, then below are the remaining 5 points that will complete your checklist from the last week’s issue:
6. Brick façade rather than render
Having weighted pros and cons of rendered and brick facades, and not taking personal preference into account, terraced houses with brick façades seem to embrace more value than with render. Briefly: Brick is a robust material, which when done properly is maintenance free and withstands all different weather conditions. Risk here is the cost to repair of old brickwork resulting from potentially bad workmanship in the past. With render, there are many more disadvantages. Firstly, it requires more maintenance, which is time and cost. Dirt, water marks, cracks from ground or building movement all are more apparent, and will require renovation or repair. Any defect in the rendered surface would allow moisture to get beyond the building envelope into the structure and cause serious damage.
7. Pressurised plumbing system rather than gravity fed
Typically, you will find a gravity fed system in the majority of houses, however, it might have been changed to a pressurised by previous owners. This would be an advantage in terms of a better water pressure as well as potential cost saving if you are planning internal remodelling (many new plumbing products require higher water pressure to operate). In a nut shell, installation of booster pumps or change of the system to achieve better pressure is an additional expense, whereas an advantage of the mains pressure is that hot and cold water is delivered at the same pressure. In addition, loft space gets cleared and gives an opportunity for a loft extension once the header tank/cold water cylinder (gravity fed system) is removed.
8. Bathroom has an extractor fan for ventilation
Straightforward, yet, very important: helps to avoid mould on the bathroom walls and ceiling in future.
9. See if surrounding properties have loft extensions
Loft extensions can add up to 20% to the property value. Neighbouring loft extentions indicate that there is sufficient head height in the attic of that row of terraces for a loft conversion. However, always check for yourself and keep in mind that roof and floor renovation will take up to 100-200mm of the existing head room. Also, remember to check the roof structure: attic trusses or cut roof timbers. Former might result in a more expensive conversion, so always important to consult with a professional for a more careful consideration of follow-on benefits vs delivery cost.
10. Check for trees or Japanese knotweed in close proximity to the property
Large trees that are in close proximity to the building can cause structural damage as well as block day light and sun light from coming into the rooms. There are guides that suggest minimum distances between the building and certain tree types that should be kept in order to avoid damage occurring from physical pressure of roots on the building foundations (ranges from 3.5m to 20m). Secondly, something that should be completely avoided is Japanese knotweed, which is a type of an invasive plant that grows through concrete and is very hard to remove. It can do substantial damage to your property as well as cause problems and delays in getting a mortgage.
Ultimately, there is a creative solution for every challenge. Existing features and inherent characteristics of the property are key to a worthy investment and a dream home. Always consider more than just how long ago it was redecorated and what furniture fits in the room, as physical qualities of the property can provide unforeseen freedom, flexibility and scope for enhanced value.