If there was ever a lesson that renovating is a mugs’ game – it was in the bitter disappointment of Mark and Duncan at The Block All Stars auction.
Despite six weeks of hard work – and stress – the buyers just didn’t fall in love with the fellas’ quirky ideas.
There was the fish tank (beautiful but requiring effort to maintain it) in the fireplace. The kid’s bedroom – a great idea, well-executed but limiting the buyer pool to someone with children (boys in particular), or a purchaser prepared to redecorate or rip out the room and start again.
And the “silent” talking birds in the backyard – although admittedly you could easily remove the bird cage if it wasn’t your thing.
There were plenty of elements that those on the hunt for a property could either love – or hate – at Mark and Duncan’s.
Even the animal-print splashback in the kitchen was different enough to potentially divide the market.
And while the backyard was gorgeous, its multiple levels and fish pond almost certainly would have put off families with babies and toddlers who wanted a safe, easy garden (like Phil and Amity’s) and investors desiring a property that had broad appeal to renters. The boys’ garden design was also somewhat at odds with the kids’ room inside (although admittedly the bedroom was designed for older kids).
Will your renovations add value to your home? Contact the appraisers at www.scappraisals.com for your value questions.
Is the lesson that when you’re renovating with the intention of selling you should keep it safe, go mainstream and some might even say, a little boring?
In some ways, yes.
Read more at:http://smh.domain.com.au/blogs/talking-property/renovating-for-profit-20130326-2grru.html
Green Real Estate Appraiser 