How to increase the value of your home in association with More Th>n

While it may seem to make more sense to stay put, that might be impossible if a growing family means you're outgrown your current property, or if you need to relocate for work.
But are things really that gloomy? Not according to Sarah Beeny, presenter of Channel 4's Property Ladder. While it may be the wrong time to play the housing market, she believes you won't lose out if you're buying or selling at the moment. Talking to the Guardian, she says, "Even if your home does come down a little in value, it just means the next one you buy will be cheaper as well."

But even in a weak market, there are still ways to maximise your property's value. According to a report in the Times Online, the best is to build an extension. Ideally, this should create an extra room, although extending your existing kitchen is another option as this may make more room in other areas of the house.

Even if you fancy yourself as a dab hand at DIY, building an extension is one job you'll need to call the professionals for.The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) can provide a list of registered architects.

According to chartered surveyor Alex Upson, having a nice garden or a garage is also a great way to make money, "making up about 20% of the value of a reasonable property". And he may well have a point.Zoomf.com found that people in London will pay 7.5% more for property with a parking space and 10.8% for one with a garden.

However, the Times report goes on to say that while an extension will get you the most money in the long-term, a loft conversion can represent the best value because the initial outlay is less, plus it requires less planning and building requirements. Victorian or 1930s houses are ideal for these because of their high roof pitches. Make sure you get the best people for the job by asking friends for recommendations. The National Federation of Builders (NFB) can give you a list of registered builders in your area.

Fitting a new kitchen is another great way to maximise value, but if money is an issue, you could just get new cupboard doors, chrome handles or a new worktop to fit over your existing units.

Even a few simple changes like redecorating or decluttering shouldn't be underestimated, so fill the house with a few nice plants or flowers, change things like the shower curtain and tidy away personal papers. According to a recent survey, buyers make up their mind whether they like a property in the first few minutes, so just giving your front door a makeover, with a fresh coat of paint and new door furniture can help with a quick sale - a great idea in today's market.

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