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4 pre-sale home updates that aren’t worth the money

Read this before getting your house sale-ready.

If you’re planning to put your house up for sale in the very near future you may be looking for ways to get it sold quick and maximise the selling price. While updating, fixing or renovating parts of your home might seem like the solution, there’s actually four things that seem like a good idea on the surface, but actually aren’t worth the time, money and energy they will cost you.

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Installing tech

woman using ipad to set security system
(Credit: Getty) (Credit: Getty)

While some buyers might be interested in fancy heating or cooling technology, solar power or integrated sound systems, you’ll find at least just as many, or more, are not. Tech won’t add value to your home, and neither will other invisible updates like double-glazed windows or insulation.

Modernising a period home

man and woman painting railing
(Credit: Getty) (Credit: Getty)

No one likes a heritage or period home that’s been stripped of all its identifiable or iconic characteristics. Don’t modernise the home and remove all traces of your property’s history in an effort to lift a sale price. You’re better to leave things as is unless you’re willing to spend the money on correct, era-specific restorations.

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High-end fixtures, fittings and bathrooms

installing bathroom tap
(Credit: Getty) (Credit: Getty)

There are very few home buyers who can actually tell designer products apart from chain-store look-alikes, so don’t spend the money on them. Choose tapware, lighting and other fixtures that are classic and appeal to the masses, such as sleek chrome tapware or clean and simple light fixtures.

On that note, while a new bathroom can add value to your home, it doesn’t need to be a top-of-the-line reno. A Bunnings or Ikea bathroom makeover can do wonders for a tired bathroom.

Designer gardens

simple garden green lawn
(Credit: getty) (Credit: getty)
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While the average Australian loves having a backyard and outdoor area to entertain, there will be very few home buyers interested in maintaining a garden full of fussy hedges or temperamental fruit trees. Avoid adding new plants to your garden and just stick to simple, low-maintenance landscaping. When it comes to pools, some people aren’t interested in the hassle of cleaning them, so if you already have a pool, great, but don’t have one put in just to up your sale price.

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