There are a lot of tips and hacks of what to fix up before you put your property on the market, and rightly so; as a seller, you want to spend your time and dollars on upgrades which will add value to the sale price.

However, a full renovation is an expensive job, and the last thing you want is to invest in a major renovation that not only doesn’t fit the buyer’s taste, but won’t give you the return on your investment.

The key is knowing which fixes to make and which ones not to – here are five fixes which may not be worth the effort:

1. A partial fix

It’s really rather irritating to be viewing a property to see a lot of things only half fixed. Better to do a few key fixes jobs properly, than have several half-done. If you are going to fix the fence, fix it all the way along the property, or redecorate a whole room, not just one wall.

2. Cheap upgrades

While you do want any upgrades to be done cost-effectively, you don’t want it to look cheap. If you’re going to fix or renovate something, make sure you use quality materials and the work is done properly. A shoddy renovation could potentially devalue your house; the buyer will probably be thinking they will have to re-do the renovation anyway, and they may also wonder what the cheap renovation is hiding.

3. Excessive cosmetic updates

Minor wear and tear issues are acceptable and upgrading them may not add value to the house. Unless there is a serious issue, such as the wall paper is hanging off the wall, or the paint is badly peeling, it may not be worth the cost and effort of the update.

While it’s a good idea to touch up paint or even apply a fresh coat, it’s not a good idea to use bold colours or add a feature wall. It’s better to keep paints neutral and add colour through pillows, throws and accessories.

4. Driveway cracks and garden landscaping

Yes, first impressions do count, and you want curb side appeal, but that doesn’t mean making everything perfect. Cracks on the driveway are quite common and won’t put off a potential buyer or have an impact on your house price.

While it is good to tidy up the garden, cut the lawn, trim back bushes and maybe mulch a few flower beds, avoid planting expensive plants or making a big, costly garden makeover.

5. Old fixtures

It may not be necessary to replace all old fixtures; some things can simply be removed instead of spending money on replacements. Be realistic and look at it from a buyer’s point of view; for instance, is it really worth replacing the old window valences? Just take them down.

In some cases, paying for a good carpet clean is better for the aesthetics than going to the trouble and cost of replacing it completely; the replacement may not be buyer’s taste, and if they do buy your property, they may well rip up the new one and replace anyway.

If you are thinking of moving and want to know more about what you should or shouldn’t do to add value, get in touch. We suggest low-cost ways to improve your property for maximum effect; having been in the business for 45 plus years, we’ve helped thousands of people add value to their properties and are constantly achieving great results for our clients.

Of course, we can also give you a free, independent and non-obligatory quote.

Call in and see us in the Cardiff office or give us a call on 02 4956 9777. Or send us an email to: mail@newcastlepropertymanagement.com.au