House prices have been on a constant rise for a very long time in the UK and continue to do so, now there’s just an additional reason why.
With house prices continuing to climb – although at a lower rate than before – and moving house therefore becoming more expensive, it might be time to have a think about how you could invest in your own home. Or buy one that has already got everything you need.
With Brexit only just at its beginning and the general election only weeks away, some might consider improving rather than moving when it comes to new property adventures.
One popular way to make adjustments to either your own home or your current investment property is through extensions and cosmetic changes. At least if your pockets are deep enough to do so.
Another option would be to improve your property’s energy efficiency. This might not sound particularly exciting, but can save you a lot of money in the long-run if you’re living in the property yourself.
Or if you’re thinking about making changes to an investment property, improving its Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is still a brilliant idea as propert’s with a better EPC rating usually have a higher value.
New tram stops boost house prices in cities like Manchester and Birmingham
In 2013, the UK’s former Department of Energy and Climate Change estimated that energy-saving improvements could increase a property’s value by up to 14%. But that’s not all.
For those landlords who are considering improvements to their properties, be aware of the new energy minimum standards that are coming into effect from 1 April 2018. According to this new law, a rental property must have an energy efficiency rating of at least E in order to be rented out.