In most cases, selling as-is with good presentation beats a pre-sale renovation. Buyers on Brisbane's south side generally prefer to negotiate the price and renovate to their own taste. Renovate only when a specific fix is holding the property back.
When should I renovate before selling?
Renovate when the property is genuinely unliveable in its current state, when a small spend fixes an obvious buyer objection, or when your suburb's median is climbing and every finished home is setting a new benchmark.
When should I just sell as-is?
Sell as-is if the renovation would take more than 8 to 12 weeks, if you would need to borrow to fund it, or if the improvement is a matter of taste rather than function. Cosmetic taste choices rarely pay back.
What renovations actually add value?
Fresh neutral paint, replacing worn carpet, resurfacing a tired kitchen bench, updating tapware and handles, landscaping the front garden, and pressure cleaning driveways and paths. Spend $5,000 to $15,000 in the right places and you often add $30,000 to $60,000 to the sale price.
What renovations rarely pay back?
Full kitchen and bathroom rebuilds, adding a second storey, pools, and high-end landscaping. These are lifestyle choices, not investment decisions.
The middle path: styling
Professional styling for $3,000 to $6,000 lifts photos, video and open homes. On a $1.2m sale, it typically returns 5 to 10 times what it costs.
Not sure which category your home falls into? Get a free AI appraisal at /ai-appraisal and I will follow up with a room-by-room recommendation, or book me in person at /appraisal.
Frequently asked questions
Thinking of selling in Rochedale?
Get a free appraisal from Junaid Ally. Call 0410 218 499 or visit junaidally.com/appraisal.
