Regardless of whether you intend to move in the near future, adding value to your Manchester home is still pretty much a national pastime.
Even throughout the recession, property programmes still do their best to inspire us, and this is no bad thing. Sitting tight and riding out the storm seems to be the order of the day at the moment, but if suddenly a move is unavoidable it pays to have given yourself a fighting chance against the competition.
So what are the top ways of boosting the value of your Manchester home?
Top of the list has to be central heating. Apart from it being expected as standard in all homes (although this is far from the case) an efficient central heating system should pay for itself in fuel savings against the alternatives.
Similarly, double glazing is highly cost effective, but be aware that there are people who hate 'plastic' windows, particularly in a period property. Make sure your house doesn't stand out from the crowd for all the wrong reasons.
A new kitchen will lift the whole house, and needn't cost a fortune. Undoubtedly the hub of most homes, a tired and shabby kitchen will give the impression of a tired and shabby house. If you can't run to a full kitchen, new worktops, doors or flooring can still give it a significant lift.
A second bathroom, or even just a WC is highly attractive to purchasers, as long as it doesn't take space needed elsewhere in the house. Compact suites can now be tucked into very small spaces, and are a huge asset in a busy family home.
An extension, if it complements the age and style of the house. Be careful to keep the balance right though with a proportionate number of bedrooms to downstairs space.
A loft, or indeed, cellar conversion can add valuable living space particularly suited to teenagers. Just make sure they are accessible and professionally done.
A conservatory is only an asset if it doesn't steal too much garden space. Despite our unreliable summers, many people see the garden as an extra 'room' when the sun does shine.
As for the no no's - swimming pools, sauna rooms and gymnasiums are very much an acquired taste and often scream 'maintenance costs' at potential purchasers. A professionally landscaped garden could give the impression of being too much hard work, and families with young children will not be keen on a pond.
However much or little you do, ensure you keep spending in line with the value of your home. Unless you live in a particularly sought after street, raising the value of your property significantly higher than the surrounding properties could actually make it more difficult to sell.
So whether you're looking at a full size project or just some minor improvements, you can find a wealth of reputable tradespeople in thebestof Manchester Property Services pages, who can provide competitive and reliable services.