Renovation shows. Who doesn’t love them? Arm a bunch of DIY enthusiasts with the latest power tools and design aesthetics, throw in some well-timed
on-camera meltdowns and we have ourselves a winning formula for happily-ever-after – home edition. Entertaining as they are, these shows
do have the tendency to hoodwink would-be renovators into underestimating the seriousness of a home renovation. Sure, if budget is not a concern
and profit is no big deal then by all means, take a look at shows like The Block and get cracking. But you are a serious investor
unaffected by common naïveté so why don’t we drop the candy floss and unicorn and talk more strategically about renovating?
Related article: What The Block doesn’t tell you about renovating – Part 1
If you haven’t already, take a look at the first part of this article series where we shared some tips on how to finance and scoop out your next project. Now that you have done the prep work and put your money ducks in
a row, you must be itching to get in there and start renovating. ‘Before you get all gung-ho with a sledgehammer just know this, planning doesn’t
make good TV but it sure as hell makes for a successful renovation project,’ says Mark Trafford, Director of Maintain To Profit.
Here are some pointers to get you started:
1. Repair before you replace
the entire interior.’
replaced. If the kitchen cabinets are in good working order then a re-face could achieve the same result cosmetically as a new installation but only
or would a few layers of good quality seal give you the longevity and finished look you are after? With a bit of research and creative thinking, you
will be surprised at how much cost savings you can make by simply repairing existing fixtures.
Related article: Paint or stain?
2. Consistency
being so easily adapted by your TV counterparts. Before you crack on with your paint sample, just remember this: ‘it is consistency,
not trendiness or flamboyance, that delivers results for a profitable renovation.’
how ever you renovate your property, make sure the end result is consistent with the rest of the neighbourhood. Give your property a quality finish
but don’t try to overreach or outclass the house next door, it could end up turning off buyers and hurt you in the long run.
budget and focus on elevating every element of the property to the same overall standard. An Italian white marble bench top is not going to pivot the
overall value of a kitchen that is lined with low quality and badly scuffed up MDF cupboards.
and fittings as possible across all of your houses.’
3. Landscaping
A little bit of thoughtful landscaping combined with a clean, well-painted exterior can add the perfect level of curb appeal to make a tenant or buyer
want to live there. Thankfully, with the lush climate, you don’t need to do a lot to green up your front yard. Start by getting rid of all the dead
plants. Get an experienced landscaper onboard to help you pick out low maintenance evergreens. Any exterior fixtures that are less than aesthetically
pleasing, such as wire fences, can be covered up with ivy or morning glories. Before presenting the property, always make sure the lawn has been clipped
and the flower beds freshened with a new layer of mulch.
Want more tips? Maintain To Profit is presenting at our upcoming seminar The 7 biggest mistakes investors make when renovating for profit on
Thursday 1st September. This event is of course free for APIA members to attend and registration is open how!
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