Buying and renovating a fixer-upper property \u2013 one that\u2019s a little dated or run-down \u2013 is a time-honoured tradition for bargain-hunting buyers looking to maximise their return on investment.<\/p>\n
Finding the right property is integral to the success of this strategy \u2013 a poorly chosen project could easily cost far more to renovate than it could ever recoup in a sale, warns Craig Mott, Cape Town regional sales manager for the Rawson Property Group.<\/p>\n
Before purchasing a property spend time looking at what is available in your desired area and study the market thoroughly. This will give you the confidence needed when it comes time to purchase, he said.<\/p>\n
So, how do you go about spotting a fixer-upper that\u2019s worth the time and cash investment? According to Mott, these are the most important elements to look out for:<\/p>\n
It\u2019s in a great location<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cIf there\u2019s one thing you can\u2019t change about a property, it\u2019s location,\u201d said Mott.<\/p>\n \u201cIf a house is in a bad neighbourhood, an inconvenient position, or too close to an undesirable structure like a cell phone tower or ugly apartment block, you can do the most spectacular renovation and still struggle to make a favourable sale.\u201d<\/p>\n Mott said good locations to look out for are homes within popular school catchment areas, close to central business districts, or in trendy neighbourhoods with convenient access to freeways and other amenities.<\/p>\n A north facing aspect, mature trees on the property and attractive views are an added bonus.<\/p>\n \u201cRemember, just because an area is popular or trendy doesn\u2019t mean you won\u2019t find fixer-uppers on the market,\u201d he said. \u201cYou often find elderly people moving out of up-and-coming suburbs who are selling homes that make perfect renovation projects.\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s structurally sound<\/strong><\/p>\n Having the ideal location doesn\u2019t always make a property a good fixer-upper. Mott said a sound structure is essential in order to keep renovation costs down.<\/p>\n \u201cHomes with serious structural faults, like unstable foundations or weathered roof beams for example, can take a huge amount of money and expertise to repair,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is seldom worthwhile for buyers hoping to resell for a profit in the short to medium term. If you\u2019re not sure about the structural condition of a property, I\u2019d highly recommend getting an expert inspection performed. This is not the kind of issue you want to discover halfway through a renovation.”<\/p>\n It has good layout<\/strong><\/p>\n A solid structure is certainly an important part, but Mott strssed that layout also should not be ignored.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a mistake to assume you can solve every design flaw by knocking down a few walls and opening up the layout,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cIf the kitchen or bathrooms are in a weird location, or the bedrooms are all in the coldest, darkest part of the home, it\u2019s going to be difficult to solve that problem in a cost-effective manner.\u201d<\/p>\n Mott recommends looking for homes with convenient room \u201cclusters\u201d \u2013 a comfortable bedroom wing, a central kitchen, dining and living area, and logically placed entrances, garden access and bathrooms.<\/p>\n \u201cThis enables you to remove a few, non-load-bearing walls to open things up if necessary, and you won\u2019t end up with a family bathroom in the middle of your living space,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n It has predictable renovation costs<\/strong><\/p>\n Building work is notorious for being unpredictable, but Mott said it\u2019s vital to at least understand the renovation cost ballpark you\u2019re playing in before buying a fixer-upper.<\/p>\n Try and set budgets for individual items or sections of the home, for example set a price per square metre for flooring and stick to it. It can be very easy to get emotionally caught up on a project and choose finishes with your heart and not your wallet.<\/p>\n \u201cTo make a profit on a fixer-upper, the purchase price plus the total renovation cost needs to be low enough that you can recoup your investment \u2013 with a healthy profit \u2013 not too far down the line,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you don\u2019t fully understand the renovation costs, it\u2019s all too easy to end up with a money-drain rather than a money-spinner.\u201d<\/p>\n While experienced house-flippers may be able to estimate renovation costs on sight, Mott said newbies should always consult with a construction expert before making a purchase if possible.<\/p>\n Don’t choose a builder based on the lowest “thumb suck” pricing, you will regret it in the long run, he warned.<\/p>\n “Don’t forget to assign a portion of your renovation costs to the garden or green areas, This is often overlooked and can be a deal breaker if the building is beautifully renovated and the garden and outside areas are left unattended.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s all about going in with your eyes wide open,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cNa\u00efve optimism has no place in a fixer-upper project, but if you do your homework and make sure you know what you\u2019re getting into, renovating run-down homes can be a rewarding and profitable strategy for property investment.\u201d<\/p>\n
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