Smart, not hard

It’s easy to make a home look exceptional, but knowing how to spend your time and money is key. Making a return on an investment is not just a result of spending the right amount of money, but about spending it in the best possible way. That starts with understanding what type of impact an investment could have on a buyer’s judgement.

This three-bedroom flat in Wandsworth had the perfect bones, but not much else. We targeted our investment on key areas that we knew would elevate the home, and more importantly, the price. We gutted the bathroom and modernised the large kitchen area. By prioritising those spaces, we achieved a 4x value uplift on our renovation costs.

Insider tips:

• A small investment can go a long way. Buyers tend to overestimate the cost of redoing kitchens and bathrooms. Replacing kitchen cupboards or bathroom tiles is not very hard, or very expensive, but it’s the smartest way to improve a home’s value and appeal.

• When selling your property, it’s important buyers don’t get the impression that extra work is needed to make your house their home. Do as much as you can to make it move-in ready, and focus on bathrooms and kitchen if you’re after a major increase in value. It’s a sure way to keep buyers from chipping away at your asking price.

• Never underestimate the power of a fresh coat of paint. Cracks, marks, and chipped paint are all indicators that your home could do with another few coats. Bring your space back to life with this inexpensive, yet effective cosmetic update. Blue, green, or grey accent walls, vibrant colour blocks, or fresh white skirting can go a long way in impressing buyers and increasing your home value.