Kitchen Makeover
The kitchen is the heart of the home, so when renovating to sell it makes sense to factor in a kitchen revamp.
For anyone buying or renting a house, this is a make-or-break room. Present an inspiring kitchen and there’s a good chance you’ll see a return on your investment. How you makeover your kitchen depends on its age and condition. If your kitchen is small, unrenovated and separated from the rest of the house, it may feel dated or too cloistered for modern lifestyles.
The fix? Move walls to create an open plan kitchen. An open plan will instantly modernise the space, increase the kitchen’s available size and allow for easier flow through to other areas – an attractive feature to buyers.
Bathroom Retreat
These days, people want more from their bathrooms than basic functionality. Luxury finishes are in demand as people crave a resort feel at home. As the trend towards retreat-style bathrooms only gets bigger, buyers & renters are on the lookout for bathrooms that inspire indulgence and relaxation.
Prospective buyers or renters could not fail to be impressed with the opulence on show and would delight in escaping to such tranquil ambience at the end of a long day. And if you are renovating a bathroom from top to toe, expect to spend anywhere from $20,000 to $30,000, depending on the size of your space, materials and fittings.
Flooring that adds value
A common question sellers ask is, should you replace carpet before selling a house? In most cases, the answer is yes. Unless your home has beautiful, polished hardwood or tile in good condition, replacing old flooring before selling is one of those tried-and-true renovations that add value to your home.
Don’t underestimate flooring when it comes to giving a property a much-needed cosmetic overhaul. It could be what takes a space from ok to outstanding. While nothing beats genuine hardwood, home experts agree hybrid flooring will increase a home’s value over wall-to-wall carpeting.
Hybrid flooring is durable, cost effective and easy to maintain. Hybrid flooring would cost between $80.00 to $ 120 per square metre for supply & installation. Experts say Hybrid flooring yields a better return on investment for the average property, and will add more value than carpeting.
Paint with white
You can’t go wrong with white. While bright colours can be polarising, white appeal to as many potential buyers as possible. Even better, white evokes a timeless elegance that never goes out of style.
Paint all walls, ceiling & woodwork of your home with white and you have laid the foundation for potential buyers to put their own stamp on the property. As they inspect, they have a blank canvas to work with in their heads. They need to be able to imagine decorating the room and filling it with their own stuff. As a bonus, white walls can make rooms appear larger! White can be used to add those warm, homey touches that connect with prospective buyers.
Landscaping to increase property value
Whether you have a backyard, courtyard or balcony, landscaping is one of the best renovations to add value, and one of the easiest to achieve. Today, the distinction between indoor and outdoor spaces has blurred, and buyers are looking for an outdoor area that not only looks good, but also adds enjoyment to an alfresco lifestyle.
When it comes to the garden, what adds value to a house in Australia are generally cosmetic updates you can do yourself. New paving, screening for privacy and low-maintenance plantings are simple, value-adding additions that can be knocked off after a trip to Bunnings.
Ultimately, you want to create a neat outdoor space where prospective buyers can imagine relaxing or entertaining, so well-placed outdoor furniture or even a cosy fire pit will set the scene with minimal effort.
Landscaping isn’t only for bigger gardens. This courtyard shows that clever landscaping can transform even the smallest of spaces into a private oasis - guaranteed to appeal to any buyer at a viewing. Here, a simple vertical garden, built-in seating and beautiful lighting make the most of the available area.
