We are a nation of DIY-ers, and here at Homeology we of course completely condone that! Making improvements to your home can add tremendous value to it, but where to start? And how can you be certain that your investment will pay off? Here are the top 10 home improvement tips from principle of Nationlink Plattekloof, Marie van Rooyen, that are sure to help you DIY your home to new heights.
Before you start anything, make sure that you have the following in place:
- The proper home insurance (you can easily organize that through Hippo.co.za) – you don’t want an issue when knocking out a door accidentally turns into knocking over a wall.
- Building permission – there are very specific rules about what you can and can’t do without the proper council approvals. Ask your contractor for advice.
- Budget. Don’t overspend! Stick to 20% of the total value of your home, otherwise you might renovate yourself out of the market.
- Guts. Don’t be shy, just go for it!
1. Kitchen
This is often the first thing that any new home-owner will get rid of to replace with their dream kitchen. But if you are not planning to resell any time soon, then replace it with something you love and enjoy it. As a rule of thumb, don’t spend more than 10% of the value of your home on a new kitchen and this should include all fittings, fixtures, gas, electrical, water, tiles, lighting and of course the cabinetry. But it is sure to add value to your home.
2. Bathrooms
Similar to kitchens, bathrooms can be quite the investment but also add great value. Just be careful of overspending here as the cost can easily overshadow the value-add.
3. Braai Kamer (that room that is synonomous with South African meat-eating culture!)
It’s an asset, but not a necesity for a buyer. So certainly add one for your own enjoyment but don’t build one to sell.
4. Garden
An established garden will definitely add value to your home. But as long as it is neat and pretty, you’ll be good to sell.
5. Swimming Pool
While a pool is an asset to your home and lifestyle, it could go either way when you are putting your home on the market. Some people will only look at homes with a pool, and others would not even consider it.
6. Luxury features
Depending on your home’s location, luxury features can add tremendous value. Underfloor heating, air conditioning, indoor pools and jacuzzi’s, wine cellars and elevators will all increase the value of your home if the price bracket justifies it. But be careful not to have the most expensive house on the block – it may pose difficult to sell.
7. Facelift
This is an absolute must – especially if you want to sell – and it is one that can easily increase the value of your home with very little effort and expense. A paint job and some inexpensive tiles can go a long way towards giving your home a fresh new look. Make sure that all woodwork is neat and in tact and if your kitchen is outdate, consider giving the cabinet a make-over by painting them and replacing the handles.
8. Garage
If your home doesn’t have a garage – maybe it was converted to a flat – then adding one will add serious value to your home. A home without a garage is a negative selling point, so whether you add one before you sell or for your own use, it will be a great idea.
9. Security
We have to be realistic about the times we live in, so security is certainly a value-added feature to any home. Insurance requires at least burglar bars, and any other safety measures (excluding probably barbed wire!) will increase the value of your home and potentially your enjoyment of it too.
10. Lighting
It’s a basic thing, but ensure that all of you lighting works. Potential buyers will be put off by electrical faults and you will have to fix things anyway before you can get the electrical clearance certicificates necessary for selling.
There is always a fine line between spending on home improvement for your own benefit and subsequently increasing the value of your home. But as long as you don’t price yourself out of the market, you should be good to go!
The article was inspired by an article by Hippo.co.za. Read the full article here!
5 responses
Thanks for the great share! I also like the idea of Home Improvement. The best part I like is this: The reliability and availability of modern energy sources cause people to tend to assume that it will always be accessible. And as for the case of non-renewable energy sources, most people do not know or maybe even refuse to accept that it will eventually run out.
Hey,
Thanks for your useful tips. I want to buy your book, can you kindly told me where I can find it?
Hi Steven, thanks for your comment! You can buy the book via Loot or you can order it directly from me if you are based outside of South Africa. g
Just bought your book….Fantastic!!
Thanks for the support, Betsie! We’d love to know what you think of the book!