Which renovations are best bang for buck for leasing out?

Discussion in 'Renovation & Home Improvement' started by couq, 15th Dec, 2021.

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  1. couq

    couq Well-Known Member

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    Location:
    Melbourne, Australia
    Hi lease has turned over and now looking to do slight cosmetic renos to get best bang for buck in getting good appeal for renters and also increase rent if able.
    Property is in 10 km south of Brisbane. 5 x 3 x 2 house, 70s style was renting for $570 looking at getting closer to $650/700. Think ex-comm housing brick and weather board.

    Things on the list:
    New vanities for 3 bathrooms (cheap ones)
    Clean shower/silicone gaps in shower
    New oven for main kitchen
    paint inside of house
    polish floorboards/clean
    House external professional clean and washing down driveways
    Bond cleaning
    Tidy up landscaping
    New curtains
    New light fittings

    Maintenance:
    Roofing and guttering
    Smoke alarm compliance
    Plumbing compliance
    Add exhaust fan to ensuite

    Looking at keeping it really low budget thinking 10-15k.
    I can't obviously do this all but thinking what would you all priorities?
    Can't do all of it so thinking what would everyone prioritize?

    On another note any great places in Brisbane for vanities/ bathroom/ flooring/ curtains that everyone goes to apart from Bunnings?
     
    couq, 15th Dec, 2021
    #1
  2. D.T.

    D.T. Specialist Property Manager Business Member

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    Painting & flooring generally give the most uplift. What are they currently like though?

    The rest depends on what its currently like - if its usable leave it alone, or if you have a set budget pick out the worst things first, replacing those will bring the whole house up.

    Maintenance stuff is maintenance, gotta do that stuff either way. Id move cleaning and mowing to this category - have property in nice condition at the start and you improve your chances of getting it back nice at the end.
     
    D.T., 15th Dec, 2021
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  3. couq

    couq Well-Known Member

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    Melbourne, Australia
    Thanks DT.
    The floors and painting do need a lot of work so may look at prioritising these.
    Good point on putting cleaning and mowing top to have it in a good state.
     
    couq, 15th Dec, 2021
    #3
  4. Pumpkin

    Pumpkin Well-Known Member

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    I'll do what you see the moment you walk-in: the lawn, garden, kitchen, walls, floors, BBQ area....
    If it's kid-friendly, might even add a cubby house or slider.....
    The hardest bit is to find a Tradie...
     
    Pumpkin, 15th Dec, 2021
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  5. wylie

    wylie Moderator Staff Member

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    Do the vanities need replacing? If so, look at Highgrove as well as Ikea (and Bunnings).

    I agree with @Pumpkin. Walk in and try to look with fresh eyes. What hits you as being old or needing to be replaced?

    Sometimes a vanity just needs new handles, or tap ware can be swapped to look fresh.

    Paint and new curtains will make a big difference. Perhaps use blinds instead of curtains for a more modern look? I tend to use Ikea curtains because they have them in very long drops, which we need for Queenslanders. And they are cheap enough to replace (if needed).

    If you do need floors done, we had two houses done a couple of years ago (still look great). We had a floor sander booked, who lose his offsider and had to push our job back. We couldn't wait so I found this guy, who "washes" the floors, refinishes them with several coats, one day for the whole job.

    The end result was impressive. No smell. One day. I'm going to get him in when we reconfigure our kitchen because I can't bear the thought of having our whole house sanded. This doesn't require sanding.

    Wood Floor, Hardwood Floor, Sandless Refinishing | Mr. Sandless Australia
     
    Last edited: 15th Dec, 2021
    wylie, 15th Dec, 2021
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  6. couq

    couq Well-Known Member

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    Location:
    Melbourne, Australia
    Thanks Wiley, great to have your local input and knowledge and will be sure to give them a call!
    Excited to be finally doing some work on our new place in 4121!
     
    couq, 15th Dec, 2021
    #6
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