How can you add value to an apartment or a house?
How does a property gain value?
Buying a property can be a profitable investment, provided that the apartment or house increases in value over time.
First and foremost, the value of a property fluctuates up or down based on external factors, such as:
- Real estate market trends: according to INSEE, property prices rose by 30% between 2013 and 2023
- Housing demand in the area where the property is located: in certain sought-after neighborhoods, supply is lower than the number of interested buyers, driving up the price per square meter.
That said, the characteristics of a property also have a major influence on its market value. A homeowner has several ways to increase the real estate value of their apartment or house :
- Improve the Energy Performance Certificate (DPE)
- Renovate or optimize key rooms
- Improve interior design and layout
- Add unique amenities
- Expand the property's square footage
In general, buying a property that needs renovation is a smart strategy because renovations allow you to quickly increase its property value. However, you must accurately estimate the cost of the work to ensure it can be recouped through the capital gain upon resale.
Whether you are looking to buy your primary residence or sell your home to buy another, it is important to learn how to assess a property's value based on its strengths and weaknesses. This helps you buy at the right price and evaluate the value you can add to the property by carrying out renovations.
At Maison Kyka, we specialize in purchasing and renovating real estate. By signing a search mandatewith us, you will be supported by a project manager trained by interior architects to quickly find your dream home—the one that meets your criteria and has significant potential to increase in value after renovation work.
Once your property purchase is finalized, our interior design studio takes charge of the work to provide you with a turnkey renovation, from architectural design to furnishing the rooms. If you decide to sell your property a few years later, we can handle that too, as we are best positioned to sell a property we have renovated at the best possible price.
"From the property search (a real needle in a haystack given our many criteria) to the completion of the work and the final delivery (on time!!!), everything went very smoothly. The team was very supportive, and the architect was high-quality (attentive and provided excellent advice). Most importantly, the apartment turned out even better than we hoped. I recommend Maison Kyka."
Amine Achite
1. Increasing a property's value by improving its energy performance
The DPE (Energy Performance Certificate) is a mandatory real estate assessment that analyzes a property's insulation quality and energy consumption. Due to rising energy prices and a growing collective awareness of today's environmental challenges, buyers are increasingly sensitive to a home's energy performance. In 2023, the price per square meter for the least energy-efficient properties—those with an F or G rating—was 10% lower than the market average (source: Guy Hoquet study).
That is why at Maison Kyka, we pay special attention to properties where the DPE rating can be improved by one or two levels through renovation work.
For example, to improve a house or apartment's DPE rating and increase its value, you can:
- Install double-glazed windows,
- Improve insulation for floors, walls, attics, etc.,
- Install a high-performance heating system (e.g., pellet boiler, heat pump, etc.),
- Install radiant or inertia panel radiators,
- Install a dual-flow mechanical ventilation system (VMC),
- Install solar panels to power the home with renewable energy.
Financial aid is available to help owners improve the energy performance of their house or apartment. For instance, homes built more than 15 years ago are eligible for the MaPrimeRénov scheme. The amount of aid depends on the cost of the work and the owner's income.
Furthermore, the zero-interest eco-loan (éco-PTZ) is another program available regardless of income and can be combined with MaPrimeRénov. This interest-free loan helps finance specific or comprehensive home renovations, up to a limit of €50,000.
2. Renovate and optimize the layout of key rooms
It is possible tosignificantly increase the value of a property by optimizing the use of available space or renovating certain central rooms.
Although buyer expectations vary, they often place particular importance on the condition of the kitchen and bathroom. When visiting a house or apartment, some buyers may be disappointed to find a kitchen that is too small and separate, or an outdated bathroom.
Indeed, renovating or reconfiguring these functional rooms can be time-consuming and expensive, which may discourage buyers who prefer to purchase a comfortable property they can move into without having to carry out any work (even if it means paying more).
In some cases, it is not necessary to completely renovate the main rooms of your property. Here are some examples of work that can add value to the home:
- Remove the partition wall between the kitchen and the dining room or living room to expand the living space at the heart of the home,
- Extend the kitchen countertop
- Replace the bathroom vanity
Finally, if you want to increase the value of your home, you could also consider converting the garage or attic, or dividing larger bedrooms to create an additional bathroom or extra bedrooms.
A total renovation is the best way to add value to a property, as it creates the overall cohesion typical of exceptional homes, which are highly sought after on the market. By choosing Maison Kyka, our interior design studio helps you unlock your home's potential by maximizing the available space.
Are you torn betweenbuying a new or older property ? With Maison Kyka, you get the charm of an older home combined with all the modern comforts once the work is complete.
“A big thank you for your support. I felt confident and understood regarding my needs and expectations right from the start. Kudos to the whole team for being so attentive, available, and for meeting the deadlines, which was very important to me. I am thrilled with the final result: thank you so much.”
Murielle Bardoux
3. Improve the property's interior design
Sometimes, you don't need to undertake major renovations to add value to a property. A few targeted adjustments can significantly improve the appeal of an apartment or house to potential buyers.
A simple and cost-effective solution is to refresh the cleanliness or interior decor of the home so that it looks its best during viewings. This technique is known as “home staging.”
In practical terms, the idea is to eliminate superficial flaws that might catch a buyer's eye and tarnish their impression of the home. It often comes down to small details: poor lighting, unpleasant odors, signs of dirt, or bulky furniture.
To increase the value of your home on a budget, you can, for example:
- Clean or replace the bathroom grout,
- Repaint kitchen or bathroom tiles using suitable paint,
- Repaint the walls or ceilings in certain rooms,
- Move or store certain pieces of furniture to open up more living space,
- Clear the area around windows to let in as much light as possible.
There are many ways to enhance and increase the value of an apartment or house without breaking the bank. However, keep an eye on your budget so that the total cost of these small updates remains cost-effective. The key is to find the right balance between the added value of the improvements and their cost.
4. Add unique amenities to your property
To maximize the value of your real estate, you can add amenities that create a true living experience and generate a "wow factor." Buyers are often drawn to unique features, even if they aren't essential to the home's functionality. These extra touches can help your property stand out in the real estate market.
For example, a window in an attic apartment can be transformed into a balcony with a Velux balcony window. This is a detail that can appeal to many buyers looking for outdoor access.
Better yet, you can opt for more luxurious installations such as:
- a swimming pool,
- a steam shower,
- underfloor heating,
- a home automation system that makes your home "smart."
These amenities increase living comfort and boost the perceived value of your property.
5. Increase living space or obtain permits for extensions
Living space is a key criterion in real estate valuation. Expanding your home can lead to a significant increase in its value because, beyond perceived value, a property's price depends primarily on its square footage. However, keep in mind that property taxes will increase in proportion to the added area.
For example, you can increase your home's living space by:
- Building a garage,
- Converting an attic,
- Transforming a basement into a garden-level apartment,
- Adding a floor to a top-floor apartment,
- Installing a mezzanine in a room.
To increase the square footage of a property, certain permits must be obtained. In areas covered by a Local Urban Plan (PLU), a prior declaration is sufficient for extensions of less than 40 m², unless your property exceeds 150 m² after the work is completed. In the absence of a PLU, a building permit is required for any extension larger than 20 m².
That said, obtaining a construction or renovation permit can also increase the value of your property, even if the work has not yet been carried out. A building permit or project approval from a co-ownership association remains attached to the property and can attract buyers looking for a renovation project. For example, authorization to divide a house into several apartments or to convert a garage into living space can significantly increase a property's appeal.
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