6 Renovation Tips When Buying An Old Property

As a property investor, we always need to search for the best deal in property market. Buying an investment property from developer could save you a lot of money if you’re their “loyal customer” or “friend” or else, the property could be very expensive. While buying investment property from sub-sale market can be risky as there are much more faulty things are waiting for you to repair.

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If you think that old property have a good opportunity of appreciation in the future or it has a perfect location, you can still invest in that old property and all the things you need to do is renovate or decorate it. But, the cots of repairing the old property will add to your costs and cash outlay. Some major defects are not repairable at all, such as:

➽ overhead beams sinking
➽ ️windows cannot close properly or out of al
➽️ columns out of alignment
➽️ ️crack floors and walls near beams/ pillars

While for the minor defects which are repairable such as small cracks in the walls, wiring, electrical, plumbing, paint work or etc. Besides that, you have to also watch out for other problems such as white ants infestation, termites and etc. All these problems must be solved immediately before they get worst.

Buying a second-hand property unlike the new one, a property over 10 years is usually need major repairs from time to time. Therefore, be prepared to fork out your own money for inspections and repairs when buying an old property to invest in.

6 Renovation Tips When Buying An Old Property

6 Renovation Tips When Buying An Old Property

① The renovation costs must no exceed 40% of the property value.

Once you realize the renovation costs exceed a 50% of the property value, you can then give up on that property as you need to consider your own financial profile and the period that you can get those renovation costs back.

6 Renovation Tips When Buying An Old Property

② The renovations must be practical and functional. 

There are some major places that must be fixed such as living and dining room, kitchen, toilet and bedrooms. It is advisable to change the brand new electrical wiring and plumbing system at the same time. Spending money to convert part of your living room into a bigger car porch to accommodate the cars may not be a good selling point to the prospective buyers. If you buying the second-hand property for personal use, you can then go ahead to do it whatever you like.

6 Renovation Tips When Buying An Old Property

③ The amount of money spent on renovation must suit the neighborhood.

It makes a little sense to spend a RM 300k on a property that property market value is RM 500k. But, make sure there is no huge different between the neighborhood and yours one. This is because most prospective buyers will not appreciated the amount of money that you spend on renovations if the house does not suit the neighborhood post-renovation. You can renovate the exterior as simple as possible and focus on the renovation in interior, it may surprise the prospective buyers!

6 Renovation Tips When Buying An Old Property

④ Don’t follow too much of your own taste or style in the house

Not all the people like your style, so don’t leave too much of your personal taste or style in the house. The renovations must be done in good taste that can accepted by as many people as possible. As such, you will be able to get back your cost of renovations by getting a higher price or rental.

6 Renovation Tips When Buying An Old Property

⑤ The costs of renovations will depend on how long you plan to live in the house

If you plan to buy the old property for personal use, you can then spend as much as you can, as long as you love it. But, if you only plan to reside in the house for less than 5 years, it is advisable not to waste any money on major renovations. On the other hand, if you plan to buy the old property for investment use, it is advisable to renovation the property as simple as possible, as long as its safe and good looking. For example, flooring instead of carpeting and painting instead of wall paper as well as focus on the minor renovations.

6 Renovation Tips When Buying An Old Property

⑥ The quality of paint work

Last but not least, the paint work is very important because its the face or “makeup” of the house. This is the immediate “value adder” to a property as it is the most visible. This principle same with the women who like to put on makeup to increase her confidence. In reverse, a heavy or bad makeup on a pretty women can make her look terrible.

–WMAPROPERTY

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