If you’re serious about adding value to your house and your budget goes beyond a lick of paint, where should you spend your money?

Renovations and improvements should suggest a lifestyle and/or enhance features of the house. It’s worth bearing in mind too that your choice in colour may not necessary be someone else’s, so it’s generally wise to steer clear of the bright and loud décor and stick to neutral shades.

Also avoid spreading your budget too far – nice finishes and high-quality appliances in a couple of areas will look far better than several cheap updates.

Wherever you decide to spend your money, it is vital you only do renovations which will give you the return of investment; it’s no good spending $20,000, your time and effort, if you’re only going to put an extra $15,000 on the price tag.

Here are some areas you should consider focusing on.

The outside

Stand outside your house and imagine you are seeing it for the first time. What do you see? A cracked driveway? Old window frames in need of attention? A rickety fence? Broken decking?

First impressions set the scene, and if the outside looks unloved and cared for, it potentially makes the buyer think they will have their work cut out in making the property their home.

If your property doesn’t already have one, and it allows, create an outside entertaining area; this will not only increase living area, it will suggest a lifestyle option to potential buyers.

The kitchen

The kitchen is often called the heart of a home and it is a major tick box on a buyer’s list. If your budget and the structure of the house allows, knocking down a wall will open up a dark and small kitchen. For renovations such as this, make sure your tradesmen are trusted and the renovation complies with regulations.

If your budget is a bit less, small changes such as repainting or replacing unit doors or just the benchtops can have a huge impact, as can new floor tiles and better lighting.

The bathroom

Perhaps second to the kitchen is the bathroom. Changing outdated colours, chipped or stained benches will definitely add value, but remember the old adage of ‘keep it simple’. Steer clear of ornate, decorative mouldings and non-essential details. Generally, the simpler the design, the more cost-effective it will be to fit out.

Once again lighting can play a major factor in this room and buyers will find water saving taps and appliances more attractive when considering their offer.

General updates

If your kitchen and bathroom are relatively modern you may want to turn your attention to updating window furnishings, blinds and curtains.

Flooring is also another area to look at. Woollen blend loop pile carpets tend not to date and there are some great floating timbers around, including some made from recycled materials. It might be worth paying a professional to sand and wax/stain wooden floors.

Smart living

We are living in a digital age, and more buyers will pay a bit extra for the technology in their home. There are now many solutions on the market, and plenty of qualified installers. Areas to focus on include security, lighting and access control.

If you’re after some more ideas, our handy Knowledge Book, 101 Ways to Maintain & Prepare Your Home for Profit  includes some ‘final touches’ tips you can make when preparing your property for sale. The book gives completely independent advice and is free! Simply text 101 to 0488 884 520 to instantly receive your copy.

We are also happy to call round and highlight areas which can add value, and give a free, independent and non-obligatory advice. Having been in the business for 40 plus years, we’ve helped thousands of people and are constantly achieving great results even when time is limited.

Call in and see us in the Cardiff office or give us a call on 02 4954 8833. Or send us an email to: mail@apnewcastle.com.au – we’d love to hear from you.

And don’t forget to check out our Facebook page for handy tips on selling your property or what to look for when buying a property.