Renovate or Relocate? Warning Over Costly Improvements That May Not Pay Off

In a market where buyers are taking longer to make decisions, Place Bulimba’s Shannon Harvey said the wrong improvements are becoming an expensive mistake for many sellers. 

“Homeowners risk wasting tens of thousands of dollars on renovations that buyers may not value, so they need to do their research and identify which improvements will genuinely add value before committing to the work,” Ms Harvey said.

The warning comes as the value of residential alterations and additions approved nationally reached $1.35 billion in May alone, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Ms Harvey said homeowners regularly asked whether they should renovate a home they loved, make strategic improvements before selling, or put the property on the market as-is.

“You can spend heavily on finishes that suit your personal taste but do very little for the eventual sale price. Meanwhile, relatively inexpensive improvements to presentation, maintenance or street appeal can make a much bigger difference.”

She said sellers preparing to put a home on the market could also become overly focused on cosmetic work while overlooking maintenance issues likely to arise during building and pest inspections.

“A beautifully painted home will not distract a buyer from unresolved plumbing, unsafe electrical work or repairs that suggest the property has not been maintained,” she said.

“The amount spent does not determine the return. It comes down to whether the work suits the property, the likely buyer and the local market.”

To help owners make that decision, Team Harvey from Place is holding the 4171 Home Show at the Bulimba Community Centre on Saturday, August 22.

“This gives the community an opportunity to meet trusted local trades in one place, ask questions face-to-face and begin working out what their property really needs.”

The free event will bring together painters, landscapers, handymen, plumbers, electricians and property specialists to discuss:

• Which improvements are most likely to appeal to buyers
• Paint colours and finishes that can help or hurt a property’s presentation
• Affordable ways to improve street appeal
• Hidden repairs that commonly cause problems during inspections
• Smart-home upgrades compared with essential safety work
• What an improved property could potentially be worth
• Whether it makes more sense to renovate, refresh, sell as-is or stay put

“People do not need another glossy renovation mood board. They need practical advice about their own home,” Ms Harvey said.

“For one owner, the answer could be a major renovation. For another, it might be fixing three maintenance issues, repainting two rooms and stopping there.

“We want people to understand what is worth doing, what can wait and what may be a complete waste of money.”

EVENT DETAILS

What: All in one PLACE! The 4171 Home Show
When: Saturday, August 22, 2026, from 2pm to 5pm
Where: Bulimba Community Centre, 1 Barramul Street, Bulimba
Admission: Free, with registration through Humanitix