Seven ways to improve the value of your home

There are no guarantees in life but when you spend hard-earned dollars to upgrade your property before a sale, you want to know there’ll be a dividend when the deal is done.

The challenge for every homeowner is to decide where the money is best spent. As real estate agents, we’re in a great position to guide you because we talk to buyers every day about the features of a home they most value.

As a seller considering updating before you put your property on the market, you should always focus on the wants and needs of the buyer rather than your own preferences. This strategy will not only deliver the best possible price but also ensure a swift sale.

And with real estate prices showing extraordinary resilience despite the pandemic, there has rarely been a better time to maximise the value of your home.

Below is a list to help inspire you. .

• Go for curb appeal – First impressions are everything – especially in real estate. If buyers don’t like the look of your property on approach, they’ll look for every problem during the inspection and persuade themselves to walk away. To avoid this, consider repainting the exterior, landscape the front yard and fix any cracks in the paths and driveway or repair broken fences.
• Make kitchen and bathrooms sparkle – These rooms most influence buyers. Depending on their states of repair, they’ll either drive up the price or become a millstone as buyers leverage their poor state as justification for a lower offer.
• Kitchen upgrade – Prioritise the kitchen. You don’t have to rip-and-replace – update cabinets and drawers with new doors and handles. Perhaps a modern benchtop will make it sparkle. New flooring is another option that can revitalise this area.
• Bathroom beauties – It’s expensive and time-consuming to replace a bathroom, so try to avoid doing that. If it looks dated, re-tile in classic black and white. Update the vanity, taps and showerhead. See what you can do to increase storage.
• Maintenance magic – Buyers resist buying a home that needs immediate work. Ensure core aspects of the property – roof and gutters, door and window frames, electrical wiring and water heaters are in tip-top condition.
• Green is good – Buyers love an environmentally-friendly home, and many will pay a premium for this. Solar heating and hot water is a big plus, so long as the electricity supply kicks in during colder days.
• And tech is hot – Smart homes still stand-out from the crowd. Investment in relatively simple and affordable technology can repay you in spades. State-of-the-art thermostats, fire detectors, security cameras and motion-sensor lighting, and electronic door locks are all crowd-pleasers today.