What are some ways you can improve your home in Canberra to help increase its value?

Bringing a home to market is a time to review its appeal and incorporate affordable upgrades that can deliver big returns on a selling price.

Peta Swarbrick of Kalogris Property, who lists this Wright feature property, says sustainable homes like it point to the future, especially within an environment of rising energy costs.

“Many homes are not designed within these principles, but there are affordable options to help improve energy efficiency,” she says.

“For example, insulation, draught sealing around doors, windows and light fittings can make a big difference to home comfort – as can internal honeycomb blinds, external window awnings and shading trees.”

Swarbrick recommends that the process begins with an independent assessment by a sustainable building professional.

“Make a plan and keep a record of improvements along with, perhaps, examples of how they have reduced costs,” she says.

Mathew Kocic of Canberry Properties says a valuable first step can be to commission a draft building report.

“This can identify any potential underlying issues that may be unknown to the vendor,” he says.

“Fixing these can help maximise a sale price in neutralising any potential points of negotiation.”

Beyond that, Kocic says the emphasis should be on critically assessing how the property can best be presented.

“Affordable upgrades can include painting, window treatments, carpets, polishing floorboards, soft furnishings, even new Manchester,” he says.

“And kitchens and bathrooms can be given a lift – if needed – with new paint, cupboard handles, tapware and accessories.”

• Baseline: A building report can identify any underlaying issues that may be unknown to a vendor. Addressing these can remove any significant points of negotiation with a potential buyer during the sales process.
• Efficiency: Rising energy costs are definitely more of a consideration these days than ever before. Older homes may benefit from investments in renewing insulation and draught-proofing around doors, windows and light fittings.
• Aesthetics; Seek advice from your agent about where to invest your time and money. Affordable fixes include fresh paint, window treatments, floor coverings and simple cosmetic upgrades within kitchens and bathrooms.

Check our top pick of homes for sale:

Wright

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If rising home energy costs are a concern, then this Wright home may well be the answer with an efficiency rating that busts through eight stars.

This bespoke three-bedroom residence also has a solid provenance as the design and personal residence of Jenny Edwards, director of Light House Architecture & Science, a Canberra leader in the design of sustainable homes.

And that claim is further supported by multiple awards including the 2018 HIA Australian GreenSmart Home of the Year and the ACT Master Builders Association’s Custom Built Home in 2017.

This is just the fourth Lighthouse Architecture & Science home to come back onto the market in a decade – just to reinforce how sought-after these homes are. 

The residence sits on a low-maintenance block of just over 400 square metres and presents itself through a pergola-covered, north-facing front deck.

An entry foyer leads into an open-plan kitchen and dining area. Behind it is the living area, a western courtyard and a study. The home is completed by three bedrooms with built-in wardrobes, two bathrooms and a deck off the laundry.

Other features include double-glazing, high ceilings, ceiling fans and air-conditioning. There’s also internal access from the carport with driveway parking for more vehicles.

And the lifestyle is completed through a location that’s just 400 metres from the Stromlo Forest Park and only a little further from the Molonglo River and the Stromlo Leisure Centre.

Price guide: $1.25 million+ 

Auction: 6pm, April 28

Agent: Kalogris Property, Peta Swarbrick 0432 391 755

Or try these:

Red Hill

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Price guide: $1.25 million+

Auction: 3pm, April 29

Agent: Belle Property Canberra, Louise Harget 0412 997 894

Denman Prospect

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Price guide: $1.6 million+

Auction: 11:30am, May 6

Agent: Canberry Properties, Mattew Kocic 0432 146 159

Rivett

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Price guide: $890,000+

Private sale

Agent: Badenoch Real Estate Sales, Symon Badenoch 0412 898 690