Your home is your castle, but when it comes time to sell you will want to walk away with the best price you can get. It may be worth considering what work you can do to boost the resale value of your home.
Your mind might be instantly going towards those big ticket items, and you might be asking yourself where can I add another bedroom? Is there room for a pool or a granny flat? Or do I need to install a new or larger garage?
This may be tempting, but it is important to remember that not every home renovation is going to benefit you when the time comes to sell. You need to focus on changes to your home that suit the lifestyle of the neighbourhood.
Where do I start?
If you are still unsure about where to start, getting some expert advice will set you off in the right direction. We are not talking about getting an architect in to decide which walls should stay or go and sketch the plans for a new designer kitchen, we are talking about a professional such as a real estate agent or an interior designer. These two experts will be able to give you advice as to what they believe would add value to your home.
The benefit of asking a real estate agent is, they live and breathe property in your local area, so they are in-tune with what buyers are looking for in a new home. They will be able to give you advice as to where you can start. And if you take this opportunity to get a free property appraisal, you will know approximately what your home is worth in the current market.
Draw attention to standout features
Does your home have a beautiful view? This is an example of a feature you can make standout. You can enhance that view by installing larger windows, or changing the window treatment so it is easier to see out. If you don’t have a view, can you create one with smart landscaping?
If you have a swimming pool, make sure the lighting is good to help make it a feature. Does the fence around your property look ugly? Transform it with paint and by adding vertical planter boxes. If your living area does not flow into your garden, bring some nature inside and introduce indoor planter boxes, potted or hanging plants.
Work on your garden early on
Well established gardens are very popular. Manicured hedged and mature trees casting shade over your lawn are not goals you can achieve overnight, it takes time – in fact, years. This is why it is a good idea to invest in your garden as soon as you move in, and you will also get to enjoy your efforts while it is your home.
Modernise your kitchen
The kitchen is a room that can make or break a sale, but it is also the room you can spend a lot of money upgrading and not necessarily get the best return. Your dream kitchen may not be what a prospective buyer wants, so there is no need to get a total upgrade. Focus on smaller things, such as door handles or cupboard doors to make your kitchen more appealing.
Other things you could do are:
- Update appliances
- Fresh coat of paint
- Lift the lighting with fluorescents or spotlights above benchtops and potentially a pendant light for some visual interest.
- Replace old benchtops
- Re-tile or fix the floorboards
- Ensure you have good storage and have maximised your bench space
Amplify the bathroom
Who does not like a beautiful bathroom? Buyers want to see a bathroom where they can relax and pamper themselves. This is a room where it is okay to spend some money to make the most of what you have.
If you have cracks in your basin, toilets or tubs, you may want to replace them.
To inject new life, consider replacing your vanity or mirror and add new lighting fixtures to make a good impression on your buyers.
If your bathroom is small, consider wall-mounted sinks and toilets to help maximise space. Put that towel rail behind the door and hang a big mirror to make the room appear twice the size.
Once you have added a fresh coat of paint on the walls, your bathroom will look brand new.
Make sure your property flows
Your home needs to make sense, and it needs to naturally flow from space to space. Spending time getting this right can add significant dollars to your property value.
A few things you may want to consider are:
- Where is the kitchen located and does it flow easily into the eating / living area?
- Do you have an outside eating / sitting area where you can entertain friends in summer or simply relax with a good book? This is an extra room in the eyes of a buyer.
- Is there a smooth indoor / outdoor flow.
Another thing to consider when improving the ‘flow’ of your property is ventilation. Cross breezes in summer can be life saving when it is hot. By adding shutters, louvres or large windows, you can help bring that fresh air in.
Is there room for a granny flat?
If you have plenty of space, a granny flat could be a drawcard for buyers for many reasons. Families love granny flats because they can be a play area for the kids to hang out, somewhere for the in-laws to stay, or a home office.
Buyers who have an eye for an investment opportunity might see it as an opportunity to be able to lease it out as an external flat to help with the mortgage repayments.
Don’t underestimate a fresh coat of paint
Paint can be the answer to transform your home from a shell that harps back to the 70s or 80s, and transport it into the 21st century. If facades are looking a bit tired, repaint them, even if it is brick. This will help create a good first impression and set the tone for the rest of the property.
Take that paintbrush inside, probably with a different can of paint, and consider re-painting the walls. This will have a positive effect on buyers as it instantly refreshes the entire home. It is hard to go wrong with fresh, crisp paint jobs in modern, neutral colours.
Where you can, add more storage
Storage is always in demand. Whether it be in bedrooms, family rooms, hallways, garages, people are always searching for more space. Adding cupboards is a great way to make your home much more appealing.
Showcase your outdoor space
New Zealanders love spending time outside. If done right, your outdoor space can become another room to your home, and buyers love this.
When planning your outdoor space and how to make it an entertainer’s delight or somewhere you can rest and relax, envisage how it could be used. If you have a large space, add a large dining area, with a BBQ and a cooking area.
If you are limited on space, having comfortable seating with shade could be your best option. If you have a balcony, adding a table set, even if it is small, will be appealing to buyers. They will be able to visualise themselves enjoying their morning coffee in the sun.
Ready to sell your home? Request a free property appraisal from your local LJ Hooker real estate agent to get a better understanding of where your house stands in the current market. It will give you a detailed breakdown of your property's size, location, how it compares to similar local properties, potential areas of improvement, and much more.
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