Over half, in fact, 55% of Australians who renovate or decorate their homes are looking to add value to their properties, according to realestate.com.au’s latest Consumer Intentions Study.
Around 45% of those surveyed believe their decorating and renovating efforts will increase the value of their property by between $20,000 and $100,000.
The September survey also indicated that the most common areas people planned to decorate or renovate were the bathroom, kitchen or outdoor entertaining areas. About 54% of those
1107 Australians who were surveyed by were looking simply to update and maintain their property. Where to start with renovating to sell?
While TV shows like
The Block or Love It or List It make renovating properties for profit look easy, which areas of a home should an owner tackle first?Doing up the bathroom or kitchen is a good place to start says the Reno Chick
‘s Cathy Morrissey.“Most certainly the bathroom and kitchen are key areas to focus on, as long as they are renovated within budget,” she says.
“However, the homeowner must know their numbers on their house so that they don’t over capitalise by spending too much money.”
Improving the outdoor area is definitely important when selling a property.
“Spending some well-earned cash on your front yard has been known to bring upwards of $20,000 just by making some simple and low-cost improvements,” says Morrissey.
“Clean down all paths and driveways with a gurney. Paving paint can be used to give your driveway or paths a new, fresh look. A good garden layout with a well maintained lawn will give potential buyers the best possible first impression.”
However on the whole, when renovating to sell, Morrissey advises against focusing on just one particular area. I wouldn’t focus heavily on one particular area. She says that she has bought homes half finished for less than the value of the home because it is valued as a whole, and not only one area. “People look for flaws and that is how they lower the price of a house. If you focus on just one area of your home, you may end up losing money. Easy fixes for renovating your home to sell
Many owners overlook repairs. Tackling repairs is actually one of the easiest and most affordable ways to ensure your home is ready for sale.
“By far the biggest problem I see, is unresolved repairs,” says Morrissey.
“This seems like a logical step and yet it is very often the one thing people overlook. So fix that broken tile; mend the fence; attend to that dripping tap!”
Likewise, a good paint job can update a tired looking property.
“There is nothing like a good quality paint job to appeal to even the most discerning buyers,” says Morrissey.
“Paint is the best cosmetic improvement you will make.”
This article was originally published on
24 November 2017 at 1:00pm
The information has been updated regularly to ensure that it is current.