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Top renos that add value & how to visualise them easier

By Jen Bishop •

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A recent study conducted by PerfectRoom revealed that when a real estate agent asked buyers to visualise the end result of cosmetic work, 82 percent could not picture what these changes would look like once renovated, creating buyer hesitation for properties requiring work. Designed to remove this, PerfectRoom provides a photo-realistic virtual renovation to show buyers what cosmetic improvements could look like, allowing you to sell the true potential in your home.

Laura Pollard, Head of Product, says: “In order to maximise the value of your home and help it sell faster, you should consider performing certain repairs and refurbishments to get it looking its very best. While it is clear that renovations can have a positive impact on your sale price, with the average Australian renovation costing a minimum of $40,000, you want to make sure you that you are performing renovations that will actually pay off and be worth your while.”

Here, she shares six ways to maximise the value of your home:

Paint the front door
Pollard says “Buyers make a decision quickly and considering it can take only eight seconds to make a positive first impression, curb appeal should not be underestimated as it sets the tone before the buyer has even walked in the front door.

“A trend at the moment to add extra character and colour to your home is painting the front door a bold colour such as coral, tangerine, aqua or teal. While adding too much personality is never recommended, a single pop of colour on the door seems to be well received by buyers. Additionally, consider planting extra greenery or even flowering plants for a pop of colour,” added Pollard.

Open up closed spaces
“Modern living translates directly to open plan, where the kitchen, dining and living space all integrate beautifully. We’re finding open plan living to be extremely desirable for buyers and while most new homes have adopted this style, older style homes often have closed off rooms and opening them up can make a big difference,” says Pollard.

“Consider which walls could be removed to provide true, open plan living for buyers but be sure to engage a structural engineer before pulling out the sledgehammer to make sure the wall isn’t holding up the roof. If you find out that the wall is structural there are ways to still remove it and provides the opportunity to add a statement beam. If the look doesn’t suit your home, it’s also easy to Gyproc and plaster around it for a clean finish,” suggests Pollard.

PerfectRoom showing how the space could look open plan, after renovations

Upgrade your benchtops and cabinetry
“It’s often said that kitchens and bathrooms sell houses, and I couldn’t agree more. A major reason for this is that other areas in the home can easily be redecorated whereas the kitchen and bathroom is much harder to modernise and upgrade,” says Pollard.

“If you’re looking around and can see dated benchtops and cabinetry or tired looking tiles, it might be worth considering an upgrade. This doesn’t mean you need to rip out the entire space and start from scratch, upgrading the benchtop, painting the cabinets, spraying the tiles a neutral white or updating the hardware (handles, taps, showerheads and towel rails) can make a big difference,” she added.

PerfectRoom image showing how the same kitchen could look post reno

Spruce up the backyard
Pollard says “Backyards have increasingly become a focal point for home buyers, many of whom are upsizing from apartment living to enjoy the outdoor space that a house provides. If you have the time and budget, think about having the area planned out professionally so that there is a harmonious mix of entertaining and relaxing space.

“High end upgrades include an outdoor kitchen, mature plants and using quality materials. Low maintenance gardens are also more in demand so consider where decking or pavers could reduce the amount of mowing required,” says Pollard.

Declutter and remove all personal possessions
“One of the biggest rules of presenting an attractive home is to declutter it, remove all personal photographs and elaborate ornamental displays. You can tackle this yourself with some online inspiration or you can bring in a professional. Booking a one-off appointment with a design consultant to advise on what to keep and what to store can provide the guidance needed,” says Pollard.

Alternatively, Pollard says that you can hire a home styling company to bring in furniture and decorative pieces for a complete design overhaul.

Increase your square footage
Adding to the square metres of any home, as long as it’s highly functional, should add a substantial amount of value to your home. Pollard encourages you to consider whether you can convert the roof space into a guest bedroom, office or extra storage space for example. “Even if there isn’t space for a fixed staircase, often a pull-down ladder is an option and there are many companies who specialise in creating this space,” she added.

Bonus tip: Walk through with a real estate agent
Much like styling, inviting a local real estate agent into your home can help to define exactly what will and won’t add enough value to make it worth doing. Pollard suggests “walking through the property with the agent and asking them exactly what they would recommend. They see things through the eyes of a buyer and can make recommendations around finishes, how to add privacy, walls to remove, areas to upgrade and more. You can ask them exactly how much value it could add as they will have comparable properties to use as a reference.”

–If you don’t have the time or budget to make the required changes, PerfectRoom provides a photo-realistic virtual renovation to show buyers what these improvements could look like ($299 per room). This allows you to sell the true potential in your home and includes everything from removing walls, renovating the kitchen, landscaping the backyard, extending your home and even overhauling the façade to provide curb appeal. 

Get more inspo in our dedicated renovation section

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September 2, 2019

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SPA VIBES was the brief for this bathroom and @jas SPA VIBES was the brief for this bathroom and @jasminemcclellanddesign delivered. And then some!

"With a keen eye for design, they wanted their main bathroom to feel calm, spa-like and elevated with more storage, better layout, and soft, layered textures in a neutral palette. Lighting was another big focus, with the goal of creating a space that felt luxurious enough to unwind in, preferably with a glass of champagne in the bath.”

Is it a yay or a nay for you?

Head to the blog via link in bio/stories for all the suppliers as well as a look at the powder room with its bold wallpaper 😍

#spabathroom #zenbathroom #spavibes #bathroomremodels 

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Vacuums, mops, empties itself. Slim enough to get Vacuums, mops, empties itself. Slim enough to get under the lowest furniture and beds.

Comment 'enter' and we'll DM you the link to enter for your chance to win this top of the range $1499 robot from @ecovacs_anz, the DEEBOT T50 PRO OMNI.

Good luck!

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>>>Swipe for the transformation! 😮 From cold t >>>Swipe for the transformation! 😮

From cold to cosy!

This primary ensuite for a successful career woman working in luxury cosmetics and homewares is sexy, strong, girly, but sophisticated. We love its warmth and personality.

If you'd like to take the tour and find out where everything is from, comment 'luxe' below and I'll send the link to your DMs!

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The latest addition to my @kirstenjackson_gallery The latest addition to my @kirstenjackson_gallery collection. This is a framed canvas and the quality is amazing. I feel like beautifully framed canvas prints are the perfect affordable halfway point when it comes to art.
What's your decor style? Spring, summer, autumn or What's your decor style? Spring, summer, autumn or winter?

I could have told you I was spring even before I took the quick quiz to find out, and pleased to report the quiz gave me the right result!

Comment the season you THINK you are below (spring, summer, autumn or winter) and I'll send you the link to the quiz so you can double check!

Fun!

This quiz from @templeandwebster jumps on the colour analysis trend for fashion and applies it to interiors!

#seasonaldecorating #seasonaldecor #colouranalysis
The @thermomix_au TM7 launch in Sydney yesterday w The @thermomix_au TM7 launch in Sydney yesterday was a real treat. Such an exciting and sleek looking upgrade to my favourite kitchen machine!

The new look speaks for itself and, as usual, the engineering is impressive. Here's the biggest changes that stood out to me:

1. It's SO quiet and in fact SILENT up to a certain speed 
2. It has a much bigger 10 inch screen
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Tag a friend who'll be coveting the TM7! It's available from next week!

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Kitchen by @build.theory Bathroom by @birdblackdesign and @aspire_constructions 

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It's a remodel of a previously dark and pokey extension to a Victorian Gothic home. It's now an open plan dream, and the transition from old to new is beautifully done with impressive black steel doors.

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What do you think?

Read all about it on the blog now via link in bio/stories.

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Jen Bishop

About Jen Bishop

Jen Bishop is our owner and publisher and an experienced journalist and editor. She founded Interiors Addict in 2011. Jen also works as a copywriter and comms consultant to small business owners and brands, helping them with their own content as well as working out what will make them appealing to the media.

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Comments

  1. Thomas Clark says

    September 4, 2019 at 4:11 pm

    This post gives us very detailed info on what homeowners need to do to boost the resale value of their homes and also what extra works or rather expenditures can be avoided for the same.

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