If you want to move house eventually, how much you would invest into your current house?

[confusedperson]

Basically, I just received a very attractive price offer to replace our leaky-rotting-almost falling down conservatory. I would happily replace it before it falls down, but on the other hand, we really want to move and are saving hard (nothing much to save with 2 small children while on maternity leave), and any money we spend on the current house moves our dream further. Reallistically, we should be able to afford to move within 2 to 4 years, so it would make sense to make our life more comfortable here. I must add, that the move for us is not urgent, just very very needed emotionally....
Should I go ahead with the new conservatory or keep saving (waiting for a couple of years until I can start saving, really) for the move?

Would it add to the value/sellability of your house if you had it done? If the old one is leaky-rotting, you might find it puts buyers off when you come to sell, so you could look at it as an investment towards your move.

The other way to look at it is that this is your home for now and possibly a few years to come, so you shouldn't put up with it being crappy just because you want to move eventually, make the most of what you have now.

We viewed the conservatory on our house as worthless - we fully intended to knock it down - quality was OK but I really don't like conservatories - would much prefer a proper extension, with heating and insulation from heat and cold. I wouldn't invest in a conservatory - many people, like me, hate don't like them.

I have heard conservatories don't add value to a house (although would love one myself!). I would get an estate agent around to see if it would make any difference to house price.

We're in the same boat btw. Our house needs quite a bit of updating but we know we won't be here forever and worried about spending money on it in a falling market. Like you, it would be nice to make improvements for our own enjoyment of the house so is a balance I think

Thank you for your all responses. Actually, in my situation it's not a proper conservatory, it's more like lean-to type utility room where we keep washing machine, garden table, some toys, hang out clothes in winter. Although it dos not have heating and does get cold, it suits the purpose and it's being used a lot despite of being leaky/crappy. The replacement would cost us not that much, around 3.6k. I guess we will have it replaced for our own enjoyment, as smashingtime said. Btw, it worked as a selling point for us just we did not realise how crappy it was.

Get an estate agent round and see what they say. Perhaps see if other houses for sale (if there are any) on your road have them and their prices.

You're going to be there for quite some time yet. I would make the place as comfortable as I could while I lived there. I'm sure it would help to sell the place even if it doesn't actually add a quantifiable value, and meanwhile you'll all be happier with it.

Ideally I would move tomorrow (I don't like the house emotionally despite of it being spacious and functional) and then wouldn't invest at all, but the reality is different...