Buying to renovate on the Northern Beaches?

Imagine, finding the perfect home. It’s ticking all the boxes. It’s in the right spot, with the right light for the right price… but the wrong number of rooms. What to do? This scenario faces many buyers when it comes to securing their dream home on the Northern Beaches. Do you wait for a home that’s got it all? Or buy something that’s got a lot of promise but needs work?

The truth is, there’s no right answer. What’s right for you might not be right for the next person. The good news is, that with the right agent, one with real architectural expertise to guide you, you’ll know what to consider so you can make the best decision for you.

First and most obviously, there’s the cost that even a small renovation adds to your investment. You need to know you’ve got the funds to get the most out of the house. Do your research, get the right advice and smart renovations can open a home up to its fullest potential. 

Cherie Humel, licenced architect and principal at Clarke & Humel is a rare agent. Her expert advice has helped thousands of buyers see how an almost-perfect-home can be a dream home with just the right alterations.  

 “A fully renovated home may not suit all your requirements” warns Humel. “If the site allows for aspect and great views that haven’t been realised or if it’s ticking 7 out of 10 boxes, it may be time to consider renovating.”

 Cherie’s architectural expertise also adds real value to those considering selling. Someone may have a property with tremendous potential but you need the right agent to point this out to buyers. If buyers can realistically see where the hidden value is in a home, they can see the property for what it truly is.

 For many buyers first impressions are everything, so looking beyond blemishes to the dream home beneath can be hard. Ugly, dated tiles or tired finishes need be discounted. These are things that are easy to change and also offer opportunity to personalise a home to your tastes.

 While there are cosmetic things that you can overlook when making the big decision, there are also things that wave the red flag. Cherie advises extra caution needs to be taken when a house is damp, subterranean and too low to the ground. “The other big watch out is when the neighbours have DA potential that will impact on sun or views.”

 The Northern Beaches can be an enticing place to renovate – with a strong market it’s hard to overcapitalise – but it’s not without its risks. There are a number of micro markets within the Northern Beaches, and knowing where your house sits within this can be challenging. That’s where an agent like Cherie, with true architectural expertise and deep market knowledge can be invaluable to making the right choice at the right time.