| When it comes to investment property renovations | | | | but I would recommend trying to get both of these |
| the question I always get asked is - "how much | | | | areas clean, modern and usable. |
| work should I do"? The answer to this question will | | | | RENOVATION TIP: Rather than re-tiling you can use |
| change dramatically depending on each person and | | | | Tile Paint to great effect. I have used 'White Knight' |
| their current situation. Are you the kind of person | | | | tile paint over the top of outdated 80's tiles and the |
| that loves DIY (do it yourself) home renovations? Do | | | | results have been outstanding. |
| you love researching cheap renovation ideas? Or | | | | Fittings |
| does the thought of a month's DIY home renovation | | | | Replacing old Light fittings, door handles and cupboard |
| make you feel sick? Only you can answer these | | | | fittings is a great DIY renovation idea. It is a very |
| questions but believe me there are huge advantages | | | | easy and cheap way to create a more 'modern feel' |
| of doing minor renovations let alone a full month's | | | | in your Investment property. |
| work on a property | | | | RENOVATION TIP: Look at the expensive designer |
| So let's assume that you have 2-5 weeks to | | | | brands and then find good quality imitations that are |
| complete your DIY renovations, what is a realistic | | | | a quarter of the price. |
| goal to try and achieve? To a certain extent this will | | | | Garden |
| depend on your budget but you would be surprised | | | | One full day in the garden and you can make a big |
| at how much you can get done if you find some | | | | difference to overall appearance of a house. Pull out |
| good cheap renovation ideas. My DIY renovation | | | | some weeds, trim some branches, mow the lawns, |
| budget is the same for every project I do - I like to | | | | sweep the driveway and suddenly your property is |
| call it the "Spend as little as possible" budget! Below is | | | | looking pretty good. You might be saying "Since |
| a list of the most obvious and important things that | | | | when is sweeping the driveway considered DIY |
| you should look at when attempting a cheap DIY | | | | home renovation"? Well I don't care what you 'call it' - |
| renovation. | | | | Gardening, DIY, Renovations, Cleaning - the fact is |
| Interior Painting | | | | that putting a day or two's work into your garden will |
| A fresh coat of paint is the easiest way to make a | | | | definitely make your house more attractive to |
| house feel new again. The great thing about painting | | | | potential renters and bank valuers. |
| is that everyone can do it and it's such a rewarding | | | | RENOVATION TIP: This is a great part of the DIY |
| job. I love watching the house slowly get | | | | renovation to get some help from family and friends |
| transformed as each new wall is painted and best of | | | | with. Everyone has done some gardening at some |
| all if you do it yourself it shouldn't be too expensive. | | | | stage and you can even turn it into a bbq event. This |
| RENOVATION TIP: If you're going to paint the house | | | | will make it more fun and easy as the whole family |
| beige don't even bother! Property investors always | | | | can come. |
| make the mistake or choosing plain and boring colors. | | | | Exterior Painting / Render |
| Paint the house as if you were going to be living in it. | | | | This might not be your first priority but it will |
| If you're feeling really adventurous you could even | | | | drastically improve the first impressions that people |
| include a feature wall. | | | | have of your house. If your property is a weather |
| Floors | | | | board then a few coats of paint is a great idea or if |
| Replacing the existing flooring is another way to | | | | it's a Brick house then rendering your property can |
| make your property feel brand new. You can either | | | | make a massive difference. Render can turn an old |
| replace the carpet or in some houses you can polish | | | | and ugly brick house into a modern a beautiful place |
| the floor boards that are under the carpet. | | | | in a few days. |
| RENOVATION TIP: This is one part of the DIY | | | | RENOVATION TIP: DIY rendering is an incredibly |
| renovation process that I would recommend hiring | | | | cheap way to improve the value of your house. It |
| somebody to it for you (floor polishing | | | | can be messy and laborious but the results are |
| &carpets). The professionals do such a quick, | | | | fabulous. |
| good and cheap job that it's hard to make an | | | | Hopefully there is something here for everyone. So |
| argument for doing it yourself. To save some money | | | | my answer to the question "how much work should I |
| you can rip out the old carpet and left over staples | | | | do on my investment property"? Do as much as you |
| before the professional come. | | | | can whilst spending as little as possible. In the perfect |
| | | | world you would complete all the ideas that I have |
| Bathroom & Kitchen | | | | mentioned in about month and for under a budget of |
| These two rooms are very important when it comes | | | | $10,000. Is this a realistic DIY renovation goal? Yes I |
| to renovating your investment property. If you do | | | | believe it is very achievable, especially if you (or |
| have some money in your budget then the Bathroom | | | | someone you know) have a few 'handy man' skills. |
| & Kitchen are a pretty good place to spend it. | | | | Remember that renovating you investment property |
| How much work you do here is up to the individual | | | | should be fun and exciting. Best of luck. |