How to avoid devaluing your home

1. Think ahead

Main roads, power lines and railway tracks can bring house prices down by as much as 10-15% when you buy, but also devalue when you sell – despite other improvements you've made.

2. Don't take it for granted

No matter how good a condition your home was in at the start, you need to maintain it regularly. Areas of major long-term neglect – especially on walls or roofs – could lose you £5,000-£50,000 on your asking price.

3. Get clued up about kitchens

For most people, the kitchen is the heart of the house. If you install one that you love but that might not appeal to potential buyers later, you could be erasing as much as £30,000 from the value of your property.

4. Don't flush money away

The second most important room to get right in your home is the bathroom. While personal taste is important, a neutral finish or something that's easy to adapt is better if you eventually want to move on.

5. Face the panel

Timber panelling – if done right – can look great. But more often than not a buyer will actually be wondering what's hidden behind, and how much it will cost to strip down. It also clips inches off a room, so best to avoid.

6. Time matters

Adding faux features to a house from a clashing or contrasting period will usually put buyers off, whether it's fake Georgian pillars in a modern block or uPVC windows in a period home.

7. Love thy neighbour

Some disputes can't be avoided, but if left to get out of hand they can have a serious impact on the value of your home. Find out how Direct Line Family Legal Protection could help to smooth things out for you. Don't forget, if you take out Direct Line Home Insurance Plus, Direct Line Family Legal Protection is included in your cover as standard!

8. Exercise a neighbourhood watch

While you don't have sole responsibility for the area in which you live, reporting increasing levels of crime or environmental abuse can help stop problems from sliding out of control and affecting the value of your home.

9. Stay this side of the law

Home improvements that don't meet with legal planning permission requirements will end up costing you double. This is especially true for listed buildings, so get your facts right first. If in doubt – don't.

10. Don't do dodgy DIY

It will always show up in the end. Shop around to ensure good workmanship for decoration or renovations. Direct Line uses approved technicians for emergency repairs carried out under Home Response 24 cover, while Home Repair Network guarantees expert tradesmen 24 hours a day.

11. Be pet friendly…

To your home! If pets are allowed to run riot they could do some serious damage to structure or paintwork. Plus the smell can really linger and will put many people off – even pet lovers themselves. Your Direct Line Home Insurance also does not provide cover for accidental damage caused by pets.

12. Be wise about what you add on

An unsightly extension could knock thousands of pounds off the value of your home. Bear in mind space, design, adaptability and how your proposed design blends into the surrounding area to avoid potential buyers wondering how much it will cost them to rebuild.

13. Colour with care

Bright yellow walls might work for you but will be someone else's idea of hell. Similarly, clashing or intense colours in rooms that are difficult to repaint or remodel may bring the value down. At least try and neutralise before you sell!