Ways to upgrade your cottage to increase its value

The secret to making your property as valuable as possible – barring considerations such as location, maintenance and style – is enhancing the functionality of its amenities. Here’s a roundup of some of the best upgrades you can make to help increase your cottage’s resale value.

Work on the kitchen and toilets

Cottage living revolves around family dinners and enjoying the company of your loved ones. Primping your cottage’s kitchen space will surely add value. Putting a fresh coat of paint, adding more cabinets for storage, and adding more counter space and new appliances are always a plus.

People spend a lot of time in bathrooms as well and you should make sure that they’re in tiptop condition. Minor updates such as removing old shower doors and re-caulking and re-glazing tubs will go a long way. If you’re considering replacing the toilets, you can’t go wrong with a low-flow toilet.

Look beneath the surface

Upgrading your cottage in terms of what’s beneath the façade is another great way to add to its value. As they say, it’s what’s on the inside that counts.

If your cottage has plastic pipes, installing an air compressor will help keep them from cracking, especially during the winter. If your budget allows it, switching to more durable copper pipes with a wider diameter than the standard 1” will allow water to flow through easily. Installing baseboard heaters on exterior walls or under windows will also help maximize your cottage’s heating system.

Keeping moisture at bay by maintaining proper ventilation in your cottage will prevent paint from peeling off the walls as well as damages caused by mold. Focusing on improving your cottage’s insulation and heating is also a big plus. These changes can be costly, so focus on amenities that have not been changed for a while. Getting a Home Energy Audit can also help you figure out which areas of your cottage you should prioritize in your upgrade process.

I hope that these suggestions will help you improve your cottage, making it more sellable at a value you can be happy with if you choose to re-sell it in the future. If you need more advice, contact me anytime!