It’s all about the buyer
Forget about indulging your creative side or expressing the ‘real’ you through carefully chosen paints and fabrics: renovating to sell is all about value adding to your home. Whether you spend a little or a lot, gearing your property toward the majority of buyers in your local market should remain your priority. With that in mind, we’ve put together a quick list of tips for maximising your renovating spend.
Curb Appeal
Before you start renovating, visit as many open homes as possible. Rate the street appeal of the houses you visit and take note of how buyers react to properties. You will probably observe a statistical truth at work: most consumers decide whether or not they are interested in a house before they walk through the door. Make sure you:
- Mow lawns
- Wash windows and entranceways
- Paint or replace your existing letterbox
- Clean or resurface tired driveways and paths
- Add plants and flowers to front gardens
These are relatively cheap ways to improve curb appeal and get more buyers through the door. If you have the budget, also consider repainting or rendering exterior walls, painting and repairing fences and repainting the roof.
Door Stop
The entrance to your home should be uncluttered and inviting. Make sure the front door is clean (consider investing in a new door if necessary). Declutter the entrance hall and keep colours light and bright if your entrance is small or dark.
Paint and Polish for a Superior Interior
Almost any home will benefit from painting and the return on the investment is worthwhile. New paint in neutral colours, dark, polished floors and new bedroom carpets will give your home a fresh boost and offer the highest return for your spend.
Kitchens
It is easy to make high returns on kitchen renovations if you can resist the temptation to buy the latest state-of-the-art appliances or splurge on trending benchtops and splashbacks. You may find that repainting the kitchen, resurfacing the benchtops and replacing light fittings and cupboard handles will be enough. Remember when it comes to inspections, less is more – declutter kitchen benches and decorate with a bowl of fruit or vase of flowers. Brewing coffee and warming croissants will also give your kitchen warm appeal.
Bathrooms
Bathrooms can provide a high return on investment, but they can be tricky. It is best to avoid pulling your bathroom apart. Work with the style you have: paint the walls, replace small runs of tiles, replace the mirror, buy a new toilet seat, update the lighting and replace the tap ware.
Time to Sell
When you sell a home, you are suggesting a lifestyle to the buyer. Make sure the house is spotless and cleared of unnecessary clutter and furniture on inspection days. Try to make living spaces flow – use colours, accents and items (lighting, blinds, etc.) throughout the house to create a feeling of harmonious, continuous style.
