Renovating to make your property saleable

When buying a property to renovate before you on sell it, there are some things that you need to consider.

Always buy in a good location.  Consider inner city suburbs as they are close to city hubs, good transport networks and accessible to many amenities.  This will ensure a better return on your investment. Try to buy the worst house in the best street.  

Get a building inspection done. It is easy to get a quick coat of paint and do some cosmetic tweaks, rather than having to make major engineering repairs later in the renovations. Investing in a building appraisal with a qualified building inspector is critical in ensuring your investment property is sound and therefore a good investment.

Small changes can create a big impact.  Sometimes small alterations including new light fittings, landscaping, blinds or curtains, door handles, and a fresh coat of paint can make a big difference, and the cost can be minimal.

If you decide to do some renovating, here are some design trends for your consideration:

Curves are sticking round

Jessica Ciantar, interior designer and course co-ordinator for Design School, says curves made an appearance at Milan’s Design Week in 2019, gained momentum in 2020, and are not disappearing any time soon. “[We’re seeing] curves in everything from furniture and homewares, to island benches,” says Jessica.

Flexible workspaces

After a year perched at kitchen tables alongside our school-aged children, it’s no real surprise a recent home trends survey recorded a 39 % surge in the popularity of the home office. And that will continue, architect Thomas Andrews of Studio A2 predicts, as new homes meet the work and leisure needs of the whole family. “Study nooks are no longer simply the domain of children’s bedrooms but are likely to become a common sight in master suites and tucked away from circulation and living spaces.”

We’re feeling tactile

Months spent indoors have inspired us to get back to basics and surround ourselves with natural and textured materials reflective of the outdoors, such as dark timbers, sea grass weaves, linens and chunky woven fabrics. It’s something Jessica Ciantar has observed too, as natural stone, handmade tiles and render are all being embraced in current interior design.

“These elements bring added texture and depth to spaces.

Kitchens this year, with a wood-grain texture of painted timber, the finish is perfect for homeowners or designers looking to marry durability with luxury. Rustic terracotta tiles, and matt finishes showcased are other options for adding warmth and texture.

Bringing the outdoors in through colour

The palette for 2021 follows suit, with organic tones linking interiors to the landscape. The experts agree: gone are the days of the stark white kitchen and bathroom, as bolder, more comforting colours take over. “Natural flax linens, myriad greens that echo the garden, muddy brown, beige – no longer a dirty word – bring warmth and a sense of being grounded,” says Lauren Egan. (Interior decorator) Earthy tones such as Paper Bark, French Cream, Green Slate and French Navy gaining cult followings.

Blending old and new

Passion for vintage furniture will continue, driven by sustainability and our love of a Facebook Marketplace bargain. “There’s no doubt the 1970’s have had a strong resurgence, but don’t be surprised to see the sleek lines and fun of the post-modern 1980’s and early 1990’s objects move in and take over,” says Egan. Designers are blending the old with the contemporary to create beautiful, one-of-a-kind spaces.

For the larger renovations hire a professional.  Pay for the best builders, project managers, and trades people. By doing so you can be assured that the renovations are done to the highest standards and will be council-approved.

Make sure you do some research as to the credentials of the tradespeople and check their references and qualifications before hiring them.

Make sure you have a definite timeline and budget. It is important to know how long your renovation will take and allocate the appropriate budget.  Make best use of an accountant and financial planner so that the stress of managing your renovations will be alleviated.  Happy renovating