Is it worth renovating a property?

[T00ts]

We have been lucky in that we have never been in a rush to buy or sell. So we have always been able to wait until prices have fallen until we buy, and climbed before selling. In the meanwhile I would potter because I like doing that sort of thing, but I never really took much notice of the financial aspect. In my experience houses are bought by women and the minute they step through the door they want everything turned upside down and a new paint job, so it should not matter what you do.

But maybe it does.

So is it worth redecorating the next property or should I just sit back and let the market take its course?

You are right I believe that most women are like me and buy with their hearts. Having said that it doesn't make that purchase a home and that's where the changes come from. My last house I renovated and brought it into the new century. The result was top price and people falling over each other to buy it. First impressions count - even with the heart. The people who bought it told me it was their forever home since it had enviable position and views to die for. Within a year they had gutted it, and put it up for sale and have done a couple more since. It didn't sell quickly for them and required at least 2 drops in price. Did I like the result? I hated it!

The difference is buying to make a buck or buying for a home. I bought this house and thought I was settled. Before completion I woke at 3am with a vision of how this place could be changed. I had gone into the purchase expecting to decorate only. Having had the vision I couldn't rest. It took builders 4 weeks with walls demolished and others built and I did the rest, then landscapers organised the plot and I finished it off.  The difference is that this is now really home for me. The next owner will no doubt extend it again and either try to make a quick buck or move in and stay. I have had many conversations with neighbours at how different it looks and that has prompted their own improvements.

I have always said decorate, tidy and clean within an inch of your life and a woman will walk in and fall in love. Most people don't have vision and only see expensive problems when in truth it probably only needs a few hours of effort. If you want a sale and let's face it money always counts, it is worth the effort to make that girl see stars in her eyes. Very few men will go against that face.

[Borchester]

We have been lucky in that we have never been in a rush to buy or sell. So we have always been able to wait until prices have fallen until we buy, and climbed before selling. In the meanwhile I would potter because I like doing that sort of thing, but I never really took much notice of the financial aspect. In my experience houses are bought by women and the minute they step through the door they want everything turned upside down and a new paint job, so it should not matter what you do.

But maybe it does.

So is it worth redecorating the next property or should I just sit back and let the market take its course?