Informed Decisions Are Better Decisions.
Property Advice Guide
Independent property advice for homeowners, buyers and sellers
Practical information to help you make informed decisions about improving, renovating, buying or preparing a property for sale.
What does Property Improvement Advisors do?
Property Improvement Advisors provides independent property advice to homeowners and buyers before they make significant decisions about a property. We help clients consider their options before renovating, improving, buying or preparing a home for sale, so they can decide what is worth doing, what may not be necessary and where their money may be better spent.
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Our advice is independent of builders, trades and renovation companies. We do not earn commissions from recommending particular improvements or contractors. The focus is on helping property owners make informed decisions before committing their money.
Who is Property Improvement Advisors for?
Property Improvement Advisors is for homeowners and buyers who want practical, independent advice before making decisions about a property.
You may be considering renovating, wondering which improvements are worth the cost, preparing a home for sale, deciding whether to sell as-is, buying a property that needs work, or simply wanting a second opinion before committing money.
The aim is to give you a clearer understanding of your options so you can make the decision that best suits your property, circumstances and plans.
Should I renovate before selling my house?
Not every property needs renovating before it is sold. The right decision depends on the condition of the home, the likely buyers, the local market, the cost of the proposed work and whether those improvements are likely to produce a worthwhile return.
In some cases, relatively simple improvements to presentation, maintenance or functionality may make more financial sense than a major renovation. In others, selling the property as-is may be the better option.
Before spending money, consider the likely cost of the work against the potential improvement in sale price, buyer appeal and marketability. Independent pre-sale property advice can help identify which improvements may be worthwhile — and which ones may simply cost more than they return.
What improvements are worth making before selling?
The improvements worth making before selling are the ones that improve the property's presentation, functionality or buyer appeal without unnecessary overspending. What is worthwhile for one property may be completely unnecessary for another.
Priorities may include maintenance and repairs, painting, flooring, lighting, gardens, kitchens, bathrooms or simply improving the way existing spaces are presented. The property's condition, price range, location and likely buyer all influence where money is best spent.
The goal isn't to make everything new. It's to identify where spending money is most likely to improve the overall selling outcome — and where leaving something alone may actually be the smarter decision.
Should I sell my property as-is or improve it first?
Selling a property as-is can sometimes be the right financial decision. Improvements cost money, take time and do not automatically increase a property's value by more than they cost.
Before deciding, consider the property's current condition, the likely buyer, comparable properties in the local market and whether particular improvements would materially change how buyers perceive the home.
For some properties, repairs and presentation improvements may make a significant difference. For others, buyers may prefer the opportunity to renovate themselves. The important question is not simply “Will this improve the property?” but “Is this improvement worth doing before I sell?”
What can I do to improve the value of my property?
Improving the value of a property doesn't necessarily mean undertaking a major renovation. The best improvements depend on the home's current condition, location, likely buyers and how much you would need to spend.
Maintenance, presentation, paint, flooring, lighting, gardens, kitchens and bathrooms can all influence how buyers perceive a property, but spending more does not automatically mean achieving a higher return. Sometimes relatively inexpensive changes can have more impact than costly renovations.
Property Improvement Advisors provides independent property improvement advice across Redland City, Brisbane and Logan. Because we don't carry out building or renovation work, the advice isn't based on selling you a renovation. The focus is on helping you determine what may be worth improving, what may not be necessary and where your money may be better spent.
Before committing money, it can be valuable to get an independent perspective on which improvements may increase buyer appeal or improve your eventual selling outcome — and which improvements you may not recover the cost of when you sell.
How do I know if I'm overcapitalising on renovations?
​Overcapitalising happens when you spend more improving a property than you are likely to recover through increased value or a better selling outcome. A beautiful renovation can still be a poor financial decision if the cost is out of proportion with the property, its location or what buyers are prepared to pay.
Before renovating, consider the current value of the property, comparable homes in the area, the likely ceiling price, the cost of the proposed work and whether buyers in that market will actually value the improvements you are considering.
This is where independent advice can be particularly useful. Someone selling you a new kitchen, bathroom or renovation is assessing what can be done. Property Improvement Advisors looks at the decision from the property owner's perspective — whether it is worth doing in the first place.
The aim isn't necessarily to spend less. It's to spend money where it makes sense and avoid spending it where it doesn't.
Should I renovate my kitchen or bathroom before selling?
Kitchens and bathrooms have a strong influence on how buyers perceive a home, but that doesn't mean they should automatically be renovated before selling. A full renovation can be expensive, and the new owner may have completely different tastes or plans for the property.
Sometimes smaller improvements such as replacing handles, tapware, lighting, damaged surfaces or tired fittings, refreshing paint or professionally cleaning existing finishes can significantly improve presentation without the cost of a complete renovation.
The decision should be based on the condition of the existing kitchen or bathroom, the property's likely sale price, competing homes in the area and what buyers at that price point expect.
If a $30,000 renovation is unlikely to produce at least a corresponding improvement in the overall selling outcome, spending that money simply because “buyers want a new kitchen” may not make financial sense. The question should always be whether the improvement is worthwhile for your particular property, not whether a renovated kitchen or bathroom looks better.
How much should I spend getting my house ready to sell?
There is no set amount you should spend preparing a property for sale. The right budget depends on the condition and value of the home, the local market, the likely buyer and what actually needs to be improved.
For some homes, a relatively small budget spent on cleaning, maintenance, gardens, paint or presentation can make a noticeable difference. Other properties may benefit from more substantial work. The important thing is not to create a renovation budget first and then look for ways to spend it.
Start by identifying what could negatively affect a buyer's impression of the property, what improvements could increase its appeal and which items buyers are unlikely to care enough about to justify the expense.
Every dollar spent before selling should have a purpose. The goal is to prepare the property well enough to achieve the best possible outcome without unnecessarily eating into the proceeds of the sale.
What should I fix before putting my house on the market?
Start with the things buyers are most likely to notice or question. Obvious maintenance issues can make buyers wonder what else may have been neglected and can affect their perception of the property's overall condition.
Depending on the home, priorities might include leaking taps, damaged walls, peeling paint, broken fittings, doors or windows that don't operate properly, tired gardens, damaged flooring or other visible maintenance issues.
That doesn't mean every imperfection needs fixing. Some repairs may have little influence on the eventual selling outcome, while others can make a significant difference to presentation or buyer confidence.
The key is knowing where to draw the line. Before working through a long list of repairs, consider which issues are likely to concern buyers, which could affect the sale and which are unlikely to justify the cost of fixing them.
Should I get advice before I start renovating?
Yes, particularly if part of your reason for renovating is to improve the property's value, future saleability or buyer appeal. Decisions made before work begins can have a much greater financial impact than decisions made once money has already been committed.
Before starting, consider whether the proposed renovation suits the property, whether buyers in the area are likely to value it, how much you are likely to spend and whether there may be a simpler or less expensive way to achieve the same outcome.
Independent advice can also help separate improvements you genuinely want for your own lifestyle from improvements you are making because you believe they will add value. Both can be worthwhile, but they are different financial decisions.
The best time to question whether a renovation makes sense is before you sign contracts, order materials or start demolishing anything, not halfway through the project.
What should I look for when buying a house that needs work?
A property that needs work can offer opportunities, but it is important to understand what you are taking on before you buy. Cosmetic improvements are very different from structural problems, major maintenance issues or a layout that would require substantial renovation to change.
Look beyond paint colours and dated finishes. Consider the condition of the kitchen and bathrooms, flooring, roofing, drainage, windows, electrical and plumbing systems, outdoor areas and the overall functionality of the floor plan. A qualified building and pest inspection is also an important part of assessing the property's physical condition.
Then consider the numbers. Estimate what you may need to spend, what the property could realistically be worth after the improvements and whether the finished result would justify the purchase price plus the cost of the work.
A property doesn't have to be perfect to be a good purchase. The important thing is understanding the difference between a property with potential and one that could become an expensive project.
Who can help me decide what property improvements are worth doing?
It can be difficult to know which improvements are genuinely worthwhile when different people have different reasons for recommending work. A builder, tradesperson, kitchen company or renovation business can provide valuable advice about their area of expertise, but naturally their role is to quote for and complete the work.
Property Improvement Advisors looks at the decision before that stage. We help homeowners consider what may be worth doing, what may be unnecessary and where money may be better spent before engaging the people who will carry out the work.
Advice can take into account the property's current condition, your budget, how long you intend to own the home, the local market and whether your priority is lifestyle, future value, preparing for sale or a combination of these.
Sometimes the recommendation may be to renovate. Sometimes it may be to make smaller improvements. And sometimes the best advice may be not to spend the money at all.
How do I know which renovations will add value to my home?
Not every renovation adds value by the same amount it costs. Whether an improvement is worthwhile depends on the property, its location, its current condition, the local market and what buyers in that price range actually value.
Before renovating, look at comparable properties in your area and consider which features appear to influence their presentation, buyer appeal and selling price. An improvement that makes sense for one property or suburb may be unnecessary in another.
It is also important to distinguish between renovations undertaken for your own enjoyment and renovations intended to produce a financial return. There is nothing wrong with spending money on something you want for your home, but it should not automatically be assumed that you will recover that cost when you sell.
The aim is to identify improvements that suit the property and your objectives, rather than simply renovating because you believe newer must mean more valuable.
Not sure what your property needs?
Get independent advice before you spend.