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Aug 30, 2023
Kitchen Makeover: 5 Budget-Friendly DYI Ideas
The kitchen has always been known as the heart of the home and its appearance can make an impact on people living there and potential buyers. While renovating a kitchen can be an expensive undertaking, it can also add significant value to a home. However, you don’t have to break the bank to make improvements. There are budget-friendly ways to enhance your kitchen’s aesthetic and functionality, which can make a big difference without putting a strain on your finances. Paint Your Cabinets One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to give your kitchen a new look is by painting the cabinets. You can choose a colour that complements existing decor or go for something bold and eye-catching. With a little bit of elbow grease and some paint, you can transform your kitchen in no time. Update Your Hardware Another quick and easy way to update your kitchen is by replacing your hardware such as cabinet knobs and tapware. Switching out your cabinet knobs and drawer pulls can make a big difference in the overall look and feel of your space. You can find affordable hardware options at your local home improvement store or online. Add a Backsplash A backsplash can add both style and function to your kitchen. Not only does it protect your walls from splatters and spills, but it can also add a pop of colour or texture to your space. There are plenty of affordable backsplash options available, from peel-and-stick tiles to inexpensive ceramic options all the way up to coloured glass splashback. Install Under-Cabinet Lighting Lighting can make a big impact in any room, and the kitchen is no exception. Installing under-cabinet lighting can add both ambience and functionality to your space. You can find affordable LED strip lights or puck lights that are easy to install and won’t break the bank. Create a Gallery Wall Finally, adding a gallery wall to your kitchen is a great way to showcase your personality and style. You can display artwork, family photos, or even vintage kitchen utensils. It’s an affordable way to add some personality and charm to your space. A kitchen makeover is not only an affordable way to enhance the look and feel of your kitchen, but it can also increase the value of your home. A well-designed kitchen is often a key selling point for homebuyers, and by implementing budget-friendly DIY ideas, you can create a space that will impress potential buyers and increase your home’s market value. So, invest in your kitchen, and enjoy the benefits of a beautiful and functional space that can also be a valuable asset when it comes time to sell your home. If you need help in selling your home, make sure you get in touch with our team so we can give you the best advice possible.
Sep 19, 2022
Add value to your home by improving 3 rooms
When you think about making improvements to your home prior to selling, you may look at the most affordable options that are going to add value to the property and ensure that you don’t overcapitalise. Small improvements to some rooms in your home can give the property a quick refresh and often add significant value to the sale price. Some of the rooms that you may like to consider refreshing prior to sale may include the bathroom, kitchen and living areas. Add value with a little bathroom luxury Bathroom renovations don’t need to cost the earth and simple changes may be all that is needed to give the bathroom a refresh. Updating tap fittings, shower heads and door handles can be an inexpensive upgrade. Tile paint can also provide an affordable alternative to re-tiling a whole bathroom or painting walls can brighten smaller spaces. When presenting the property for sale, you might like to add small items like indoor plants, designer-looking towels or candles and decorative items. Give the kitchen a facelift The kitchen is often referred to as the heart of the home and is an area that many buyers will focus on when making a purchase. Updating the floors with affordable options like vinyl or laminate floor coverings and new cupboard door handles can be purchased from your local hardware store and easily installed to give an instant facelift. Depending on the type of kitchen cupboards, you could try repainting in a fresh new colour and paint tiles or use stick-on tiles for a refresh. For an extra option updating the benchtops and appliances can appeal to even the most discerning buyer on their hunt for a new home. Open the living space Show prospective buyers the usability of a living space through comfort pieces and functionality. Painting the walls in more neutral colours that allow for the flow of light and improving window coverings, removing heavy drapes or blinds, and opting for more light filtering choices which can showcase the functionality of the living areas. Reducing clutter in the rooms and investing in storage and smart technology can hide away those unsightly cords. It can also give the buyer an insight into how easily technology can be integrated into the home and allow them to see the possibilities of the home. For the sales campaign, investing in a complimentary colour palette for soft furnishings and decorative pieces can appeal to buyers, especially those that are understated and don’t detract from the property.
Aug 2, 2022
Can a pool add value to my home?
Warmer days in the summer months can see many homeowners longing for the cool reprieve that can come with owning a pool. Before rushing out to make plans and install one in your backyard, it is a good idea to weigh up whether it will increase or detract from the value of your home when it comes to sale. Is your area pool friendly? While a pool might seem like a wise choice for improvements to your home, carry out research in your area to see the number of homes that may have pools. A search on the property portals to see properties that have sold or are selling with pools is a fast way to gain some of this information. If you are living in a cooler climate, a pool may not be as in demand as in warmer climates where they may be used for longer months of the year, especially if there is no heating in the pool. Will your style of home attract the right buyer? There is a right type of buyer for every property. Consider the type of buyer that your home is likely to attract. Do you own a family home that may appeal to someone who would invest in a property with a pool, or to a buyer who would purchase with a pool? Or is it a property where the backyard space would be more suited to a grass or landscaped area? Will the area around the property be helpful with maintenance and upkeep or is it an area that has a lot of trees on the perimeter which would create extra cleaning and care to keep the pool in good condition. Is it an affordable option? If you do move forward with plans to install a pool, think about the style that you might like, including type and landscaping. This will then you a starting point to budget out your plans. Don’t forget to include development applications for council and compliance requirements to ensure that you meet all the required safety standards. Warmer days in the summer months can see many homeowners longing for the cool reprieve that can come with owning a pool. Before rushing out to make plans and install one in your backyard, it is a good idea to weigh up whether it will increase or detract from the value of your home when it comes to sale. Is your area pool friendly? While a pool might seem like a wise choice for improvements to your home, carry out research in your area to see the number of homes that may have pools. A search on the property portals to see properties that have sold or are selling with pools is a fast way to gain some of this information. If you are living in a cooler climate, a pool may not be as in demand as in warmer climates where they may be used for longer months of the year, especially if there is no heating in the pool. Will your style of home attract the right buyer? There is a right type of buyer for every property. Consider the type of buyer that your home is likely to attract. Do you own a family home that may appeal to someone who would invest in a property with a pool, or to a buyer who would purchase with a pool? Or is it a property where the backyard space would be more suited to grass or landscaped area without a pool? Will the area around the property be helpful with maintenance and upkeep or is it an area that has a lot of trees on the perimeter which would create extra cleaning and care to keep the pool in good condition. Is it an affordable option? Investigate the value that it might add to your home by talking to your local real estate agent, who can provide you with a price estimate, and then you can consider the options and viability of installation. If you do move forward with plans to install a pool, think about the style that you might like, including type and landscaping. This will then give you a starting point to budget out your plans. Don’t forget to include development applications for council and compliance requirements to ensure that you meet all the required standards with pool safety.
Jul 25, 2022
Renovate or sell? Which option should you choose?
Making the decision to either renovate or sell can be a tough one, especially when the sales market becomes quieter. When planning to sell your home, usually there will be a consideration around the current market conditions, the costs to sell and the emotional attachment that is within your home. Some things to consider when you are weighing up the decision to renovating vs selling debate. Renovate or Sell? What are the costs and conditions to renovate Determining the scope of your renovation will assist with planning and budgeting for major improvements to your home. Are you thinking about a larger renovation, including adding levels to your home and major structural work or is it a more modest kitchen or bathroom renovation? If there are larger improvements, you may also need to factor in a need to relocate during the renovations which may mean renting for a period and storing furnishings and other personal belongings. There may be conditions around the renovation that you choose including preparing documents and negotiating with the council for development applications (DA) to be granted permission to carry out the work. Be cautious not to overcapitalise Before planning to renovate, it is a good choice to have an agent through your home to gain a price estimate on your property in its current condition. One mistake that can be made during the renovation is to overcapitalise on the improvements which don’t lead to a higher return on your investment and can potentially cost you more in the long run. Your local RealWay agent can give you an estimate of the before price and advice on improvements that have the potential to add or detract from your home and the eventual sale price. This estimate may also provide you with the information to decide armed with knowledge when you are choosing to renovate or sell the property. Make a list and check it twice Work out what the benefits versus the disadvantages are when it comes to deciding whether to renovate or sell your property. Write out a list for each option and ask all the necessary questions that you need to consider to work out which option is the best for you and your circumstance. Don’t forget to include factors such as the location and its convenience to your current lifestyle, including access to work and school catchments. Also consider where you would like to relocate to, the reasons for moving and any costs that would be associated with upsizing or downsizing your home.