Selling your property can be a long, no stressful process, especially if your home is older and needs some work done. You have two choices, you can try to sell it as it is and you might get lucky, but chances are it will be sold for less than market price. The other option is to invest in select renovations that will improve your home's look and value.

But what renovations are best to do? You don't want to spend money on your property only for it to make little different to the market valuation. In this article we look at some of the most effective measures. The kitchen, for instance, will make the biggest impression on buyers and should be renovated first, you might also consider your home's energy efficiency and upgrade where necessary. 

Modernize Your Kitchen 

The number one way to add value to your home is by renovating your kitchen. The kitchen is the hub of the house and usually the first thing buyers look at when they come to view the property. Most buyers will inspect the kitchen to see if they need to invest in the kitchen or if it's already been upgraded. If buyers feel it's in good conditions your property will be worth more on the market.

If you have a budget, such as a loan from a hard money lender, you might consider installing a brand new kitchen. This is probably your best choice as you get to decide on  the price and look of the kitchen. Investing in the kitchen before selling could earn you a higher sale price. 

Modernize Your Bathroom

The bathroom wasn't always a room that made a difference to a property's valuation. Traditionally the bathroom was a functional and practical space which was expected for a new home. These days, expectations have changed. People want a bathroom that has some luxury appeal such as a spacious shower room and spa-like facilities. 

Regardless of your budget you can add value to your home with a bathroom renovation. For smaller budgets you can install new tiles  on the walls and floors, change the fixings, and some of the hardware like the shower heads. With a larger budget you can install a new shower area, bath, or sauna. This will help give new buyers the impression they're seeking. 

Install New Flooring 

There is an art to selling your home and getting the best price for it. Part of the game is identifying the low cost ways to make the best impression on buyers. Flooring is definitely a way to do this. Flooring covers large parts of the home and is noticeable if old or worn. It is also relatively inexpensive to replace. 

The trick to getting your flooring right is to choose the best flooring for each room. You don't want to have carpet in the bathroom, for instance, but carpet in the bedroom is fine. Similarly, you don't want to have expensive wood flooring in high use areas like hallways and kitchens where it can get easily damaged. For these spaces opt for high quality vinyl. 

Decorate Your Rooms

One of the easiest ways to impress new buyers and boost your property's value is to decorate your rooms. Many houses have an older style that includes artex ceilings, damaged walls, and outdated paintwork. This will decrease the overall valuation of your property as it will look dated for the market and less likely to appeal to new buyers.

Luckily this problem is easy and inexpensive to solve. You can change the color of your rooms with new paint from the local hardware store, and use plaster to remove the artex. If you don't know how to do this, hire a professional plasterer. For damaged walls you may also need a professional service but it should pay off when the house is sold. 

Improve Energy Performance

Modern homes today need to be energy efficient if they are to command a higher price on the market. Most buyers don't want to invest heavily in a home to bring it up to standard or improve its energy standards. Conversely, some investment in this direction can make all the difference when selling your home. 

First, ensure that you have an adequate central heating system and upgrade the boiler if necessary, this is almost a standard expectation. Following this, you can ask for more money if your home has a good energy star rating and lower than average bills. To achieve this, upgrade your insulation and invest in solar panels. Even if it seems expensive at first, you will notice a difference when it comes time to sell. That is why it's efficient to know before hand different boiler prices to know which upgrade best suits your budget.