What to consider before rennovating

The decision to renovate is a common sticking point for homeowners, who can spend hours weighing up the cost benefits. 

 Whether your motivation is to add value to your property or to add a touch of your personality to the home, renovations are expensive and debt often follows.

 By working with a mortgage broker (instead of a Bank), you will be able to find solutions that benefit your long-term goal, rather than hindering future plans.

 A survey by Finder.com.au found only 27 per cent of homeowners think refinancing their home loan to renovate is a feasible option to raise funds for the next big step. 

In this survey, 93 per cent of homeowners who refinanced to renovate, said they had concerns over whether they would be able to afford the repayments, and whether the proposed renovation would add value  to the property.

While there are few that can help you with forecasts on future property values, we are able to help you re-assess your current financial position, run through your plans and future payments, and decide if you can afford to take on more debt.

Laying the foundations

With Foster Ramsay Finance in your corner, the next step is to investigate how much you need to borrow. Work out the specifics of your renovation, what the average cost to renovate is in your area and how much you are eligible to borrow. You should aim to spend no more than five per cent of your property’s value on renovation.

 If renovations are likely to take over your living quarters you may need to also consider the additional cost of accommodation for the renovation period..  This is another cost to factor into your budget.

Get bang for your buck

Once you decide to renovate, if you are trying to add value to a house to resell, it is important to look at the rooms and areas that will add the most value. These are average renovation prices, however prices will fluctuate based on the city and suburb.

• Kitchen

If you are a fan of the show The Block, you will know kitchens sell houses. According to realestate.com.au, the average renovation cost you should be spending on a kitchen is between $12,000 and  $16,000.

• Bathroom

 The average bathroom space in Australia is six square metres. Look to spend around $9,000 - $12,000 as the bathroom is a highly trafficked space and needs to appeal to a wide variety of investors.

• Other areas

 An extra bedroom or a deck outside both add appeal and improve the standard of living for the homeowners.

Finishing touches

The final hurdle to look at is the council fee. The council can charge you up to $2,000 for an application fee, although prices can vary. After speaking to a broker and finalising the renovation, make sure you account for an extra 10 per cent in your funds, to cover any unexpected costs.

Deciding on the type of loan   

If after the assessment and investigation you decide to renovate, there are three types of loans to consider to help refinance and renovate your house: a line of credit loan, a construction loan or increasing your existing home loan.

In a 2015 Finder.com.au survey, 42 per cent of homeowners said they were worried that, by unlocking home equity, they would not be able to afford the larger repayments on their mortgage.  However, every household and property is different, as are the funds needed to achieve a renovation.

To find out more, or start the process, get in touch with us now via [email protected]