You may have thought about your house with all your heart, soul, and many late-night sketches. Now you may be thinking about how to make sure it pays off when it's time to sell or just enjoy the fruits of your work. A self-designed, truly beautiful home is a reflection of the person and their way of life, but it takes some planning to get the most out of its value.
This guide will help you quickly raise the value of your home without sacrificing your style, whether you live in the inner-city areas of Sydney, the relaxed coastal atmosphere of the Gold Coast, or the peaceful hills of Tasmania. If you want to sell your dream home, get it appraised, or just show it off to yourself, here are some useful tips.
Try to get the best finish.
You might want to save some money on finishes after spending a lot of money on a great roof if you have planned your own home. But fancy finishes make your home more valuable. Think about strong kitchen countertops, hardwood floors that can handle years of wear and tear from an Aussie family, and stylish faucets with a high-end finish. These finishes do more than just make the house look nice; they also let buyers know that it is built to last.
Good ends don't always cost a lot, though. If you paint the walls and fixtures a neutral colour, more people will be interested in buying it because they can picture their own style in the room. Are you remodelling or just finishing up? Pay special attention to the kitchen and bathroom, as these are often the places that make or break a deal for buyers. There is more money to be made when the home has a good finish because it quickly makes it look high-end and will be looked over less closely during inspections.
Kerb Appeal lets you say something.
If you want to sell your home, kerb appeal is like the first thing people see when they walk up to it. Your beautifully designed home should have a charming outside to match its charming inside. Start small. Keep your lawn trimmed, add new mulch to your flower beds, and make sure your front door looks nice. Put your house in a place like Perth, which has a beach vibe, or Canberra, which has green suburbs? After that, your gardening should fit in well with the area—too many native plants make up Perth's ocean flora.
Having the right real estate signage is an often-overlooked way to improve kerb appeal. For those in the area who are looking to sell their home, a cool, stylish sign is sure to get the word out. Putting up a "For Sale" sign isn't enough; you also want to send a strong message of quality and appeal. When you pair it with a freshly painted fence or a fancy mailbox, the front of your house says everything about it before anyone even steps inside.
First, energy efficiency
Australians are becoming more eco-friendly, and everyone wants houses that use less energy. Let's say you built your house so that it automatically has solar panels, double-glazed windows, and a way to collect rainwater! Now, these women are doing a great job for Mother Earth while also cutting down on their operating costs. They are getting buyers who care about the environment and want to save money on their bills.
If these aren't already in your home, start adding them as soon as you can. Small changes, like adding LED lights or a smart thermostat, can make a big difference in how nice your home looks. Use this information in your marketing, like in the ad description or when people come to see your open house. It will really help your home stand out. In Melbourne, where eco-friendly living is quickly becoming popular, buyers will definitely see how important these features are, which will actually raise the value of your home.
Keep track of the design process.
One great thing about a self-designed home is that it has a story behind it. People love stories, and being able to record your design past would add value, both financially and emotionally. You could put together a portfolio or even a simple booklet that explains your general vision, the materials you chose, and why you chose them. Did you build the house so that it would get the morning sun in Brissy? To support Aussie businesses, did you use wood that was grown nearby? Now, these little things show that you put thought and planning into your home.
When you include things like floor plans, permits, and even guarantees on fixtures or appliances, this kind of paperwork can be very useful. If you're trying to sell your home, being honest with potential buyers will either help you justify the higher price or give them a sneak peek into the creative process of how the house went from being someone's idea to something much more important: the legacy.
Set it up for an appeal.
Staging is like getting your house ready for the prom. Being arranged makes it easier for buyers to picture themselves living there, which raises the value. You know what the best things about the house are because you designed it. It's time to sell them now. If the living room was made to entertain, set it up so that there is a cosy place for the boys to sit that makes them want to come over. If the master bedroom is a place of peace, use soft blankets and keep the room clear to emphasise how calm it feels.
Even though you don't have to, hiring a professional to stage it can do great things if you decide to spend the money. A few simple things, like new flowers, really bland decor, and traps that make the house feel empty, will go a long way. Styles that fit the way of life in the solution state, like ocean blues or earthy tones that fit in with the area, should be thought about for homes in the Albury and Cairns regions. It is meant that each room should make you think and feel like it has something to say.
Keep up with the market.
Being known doesn't make your home more valuable, and neither does showing it off as a house. Australia's real estate markets are so different from city to city and even from suburb to suburb that a self-designed house in Bondi would appeal to young workers who want a modern look, while one in Barossa Valley would appeal to people who want a home for their lifestyle. Engaging with custom house builders can provide insights into what aspects of your design resonate with the market. If you've looked at recent trends, the average sale price in the area, and buyer-based groups, this would be a good place for your modern.
Chat with real estate agents in the area to get a clear picture of what people in that area really want. Do they need more space to park their utes? Do you need a home office or a lot of them for life after the pandemic? Putting your house at the top of their list will depend on how you present it and what makes them tick. If living outside is one of the best things about where you live, then the garden area you set up should be fully set up and ready for a summer barbeque.
Finally, make your house shine.
Taking part in the design of your own home is a huge achievement. To get the most out of it, you should show how much thought, care, and creativity you put into it. To make your home more valuable, you should do all of these things: show off what makes it special, use high-quality finishing, and stay up-to-date on the market. These tips can help you get to the end goal, whether you want to sell the house someday or just enjoy its value.