A cheap, simple stylistic change to your home could add tens of thousands of dollars to its value.
Preparing a home for sale in the midst of a cost-of- living crisis is a pricey, but not an impossible task.
Even with a tight budget, some savvy planning and a little creativity from vendors can add plenty of perceived value to your home.
“A lot of Australian homes are really comfortable but many homeowners favour practicality over looks,” according to makeover maven Cherie Barber of TV show Changing Rooms and founder of the Renovating for Profit course.
“Homey is nice to live in, but when you want to sell it’s time for most homes to have a style overhaul.”
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A home freshen up doesn’t have to be expensive.
CUT THE CLUTTER AND CLEAN
Although the vibe should be liveable, looking disorganised and overcrowded is a step too far.
“Clutter makes your rooms look smaller and it also blocks natural light,” Barber says. “Decluttering is step one, and it costs you nothing. Then give everything a deep clean like washing down the walls, cleaning windows, steaming the carpets and rent a pressure cleaner for the exteriors. People often don’t think their houses are dirty, but they often are.”
A furnished house will always present better than an empty one, but be selective with what stays during the marketing campaign.
“Big furniture pieces do cost a lot, so you certainly don’t want to buy a new sofa just to sell a property. Keep what you’ve got but if your big pieces are quite dated or worn then adding soft furnishings is the way to go. Buy a few beautiful throws or even a bed blanket to drape over your sofa, then maybe add some inexpensive plants or rugs,” she says.
“Switch out any dark heavy drapes with nice light-diffusing curtains which can make such a difference and are available quite cheaply.”
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“If it’s within your capabilities, consider a good DIY paint job,” says renovation queen Cherie barber.
Successful styling on a shoestring budget is possible, says Barber who suggests looking online for advice and tips.
“You really don’t need to resort to elaborate styling,” she says.
“Many people can’t visualise how a house or room can be used so use the internet for ideas – it costs nothing.
“On my social pages I do a lot of affordable practical renovations and show the before and after. Take inspiration from those already doing it.”
MEND AND MAKEOVER
A quick trip to the local hardware store, along with plenty of elbow grease, can also be a low cost way to update and impress.
“If it’s within your capabilities, consider a good DIY paint job,” Barber adds.
“It doesn’t need to be the whole house, it could just be a feature wall – and you don’t need to hire a tradie.
“Kitchens and bathrooms are the two rooms buyers pay a lot of attention to because they’re the most expensive to renovate. Think about fixing easy things, like painting kitchen cupboards and changing handles.”
Painting over outdated tile choices with neutral colours can instantly modernise a room.
“Take out tiny mirrors and replace them with inexpensive larger ones. Bigger mirrors increase the sense of space in bathrooms because they catch the natural light.”
Even something as simple as changing a light bulb can set the right tone Barber adds.
“Lighting is really important when you’re selling. If you’ve got cool white globes in all your rooms, then swap them over to warm white globes to set an ambience.”
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Sprucing up your garden is a cheap, easy way to improve your home’s initial appeal. Picture: Jake Nowakowski
GET OUT YOUR GREEN THUMB
You can only make a great first impression once, so garden guru Charlie Albone says the front yard is a great place to start with a green makeover.
“If you’re on a tight budget then focus on street appeal – the simple fact is, if people drive up and don’t like the look of a place they’re not going to want to go in,” he explains.
The TV presenter and ambassador for Stihl says a simple way to smarten up the outdoors is to put the tools to work.
“Mow the lawns, trim the hedges and just get everything looking neat and tidy. A garden that is well-maintained looks like a low maintenance garden which will be really appealing to time poor people,” Albone says.
Research and savvy planning can be a cost-effective way to beautify the garden.
“When it comes to planting, it’s not just about what looks nice. Think of it as a long project even if you’re not going to be there. Pick the right plants for the right spot because the last thing you want is them dying on you before settlement and you having to pay to replace them.”
Staying neutral outside also pays off when the seller is hoping to attract the largest buyer pool.
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“Don’t go too crazy, stay fairly generic so you don’t polarise people with your colour choices. Vanilla is best when selling houses,” Albone says, adding that the best bet for the backyard is showing its liveability.
“It’s important to have an outdoor entertaining space if it suits your property and make sure you style it. Don’t just leave it as a as an open space, that’s just as unappealing as showing a house with no furniture in it.
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