A usable loft can add nearly £18,000 to the value of a family home and make it easier to sell in what is now the strongest buyers’ market in a generation, according to estate agents.
Research of 500 property brokers found a boarded and easily accessible roof space adds £17,677 to a four-bedroom property, £13,821 to a three-bed, and £9,867 to a two-bed.
With the property market firmly in buyers’ hands, sellers are under pressure to make their homes stand out and avoid stagnation - driving many homeowners to seek affordable ways to increase appeal and value. 88 per cent of agents confirmed homeowners they represent are increasingly looking for cost-effective ways to add value without the expense of an extension or full renovation.
Experts said the answer could be right above their heads, providing a significant return on an investment as little as £260 with LoftZone StoreFloor achieved through raised loft boarding and insulation work.
For this reason, research commissioned by LoftZone found properly fixing up a loft was voted as the number one most overlooked method of immediately adding value to a home (31 per cent) and the best return on investment in terms of said value (32 per cent).
This improvement was therefore ranked in both categories above extensions, solar panels, and outdoor living spaces. Creating a usable loft space also tied with modernising the kitchen as the improvement most likely to help a house sell quicker (51 per cent).
Which is reflected in the experience of agents, as 45 per cent reported buyers they’ve worked with have been put off making an offer or have otherwise reduced their offer (55 per cent) if the space isn’t functional.
Nine in 10 (90 per cent) also believe they should be included on all floor plans, in the same way cellars are, with 51 per cent feeling very strongly about this.
Peter Thum-Bonanno, Co-Founder and CTO of GetAgent, said:
“In line with wider trends across the market, buyers are focused on practicality and unlocking more useable spaces, so a loft that is safe, accessible and genuinely usable isn’t simply a nice-to-have, it justifies higher asking prices.“Storage space is one of the most requested features by buyers, and boarded lofts, lit and accessible via a proper ladder, signal that the home has been well thought through and cared for, increasing buyer confidence which often translates into higher offers.”
Dave Raval, CEO of LoftZone, which commissioned the research, said:
“Clearly there is a strong case in the current housing market for making the most of every square inch of space in your home. For those with lofts, this can translate directly into cash in the form of higher listing prices, as long as the space is functional and well-presented.“The other good news is that it doesn’t take much work to unlock this significant value through creating a welcoming, usable space, which is safe to move around in and still performs properly to keep your home warm in winter and cool in summer.”
Considering the value they clearly add to a home, it’s no wonder 19 per cent of agents advise sellers to fix up their lofts on every single listing, with a further 67 per cent at least sometimes doing so.
This also makes their job easier, as 92 per cent agreed a clean and well-presented loft can help a property sell faster.
Eight in 10 (80 per cent) also confirmed buyers are scrutinising how efficiently space in a house is used more now than they were five years ago.
Demand for this extra space is clearly high, as 52 per cent said house-hunters often or always include a loft space on their list of non-negotiables when shortlisting properties to view, according to the OnePoll data.
Agents also provided their top tips to instantly transform a loft into a more appealing space for a buyer, with ensuring easy access, including a built-in ladder the obvious first step (39 per cent).
Another important factor was lighting, with natural light (33 per cent) and windows (31 per cent) holding strong appeal, as well as consistency in lighting and brightness throughout (26 per cent).
Safety factors also play a crucial role, with recommendations including making sure the ceiling is a good head height (37 per cent), flooring is even and safe to walk on (34 per cent), and ventilation is up to scratch for improved air quality (33 per cent).
But appearances also matter, with agents agreeing that a loft which feels bright, clean and visually connected to the rest of the home can leave a lasting impression on buyers.
In fact, 27 per cent said a nicely decorated loft adds appeal, while 18 per cent felt continuity with the rest of the home can be the finishing touch.