Give your property a facelift before facing the market

The conundrum. You know you’re selling, but should you renovate first to reach a higher price? Very often designer detailing drives the deal.

Remodeling can add value to your property before you sell, fetching you a higher price before you move onto the next project. There are things to consider though. Finding the right people to work with while renovating is key and can go a long way in eliminating the stress of the design lift. You want to achieve adding more value than you spend when creating a luxury living space.

“When doing minor decorative improvements to your property before putting it on the market, ensure that they are neutral and easy on the eye, thus appealing to all possible tastes” | Richard Smith, Branch Manager, Hyde Park

The truth is that grand designs allure discerning buyers and attention to detail changes the perception of the home, the apartment block and can even distract from a more average area. Buyers are drawn in by detailing such as luxury taps, modern baths and premium tiling and can attribute great value to minutia when making the purchasing decision. Minor upgrades go a long way in getting people through the door, essential when time on the market is a key consideration in fetching your final price.

Jason Shaw, National Sales Manager for Pam Golding Properties in Fourways/Midrand, agrees that refurbishing can be the way to go with regard to many older properties.

“First impressions are always critical to home-seekers, so alterations that add to the overall appeal and marketability of the home are to be encouraged. These could include simply giving your home a good lick of paint through to adding a well-placed swimming pool.”

Small, sophisticated changes can make big impacts and create the feeling of opulence.

Signature front door. Your first point of contact with the buying world begins here. Make it a good first impression. Bright, bold or subtle – your front door makes a statement.

Bespoke kitchen. The heart of the home and often focal point. Re-face the cupboard doors whilst retaining the solid older shell.

Fresh coat. Use a high-quality paint, in a trending design colour, but keep it neutral so that buyers can envision their own details. Leave walls uncluttered and inspire buyer imagination.

Elegant bathroom tiles and taps. Transform this into a serene space. Tranquil bathrooms maximize natural light and mirror retreat-like relaxation.

Cultivate the perfect climate. Consider adding air-conditioning, skylights or larger windows in rooms that are poorly illuminated.

Create a lavish landscape and harness the power of surface adjustments over structural changes if your aim is to sell quickly. You should skip basement changes, adding decking or knocking walls down. These major fixes can be pricier, take longer and your buyer may not miss them.

Pam Golding takes the lead from global design trends – glance at our luxury look-book for staging your home.

Posted by Jean Scheltema