Renovation Design Brief and Budget Questions? Ask a Real Estate Agent - Tim Douglas, Place Estate Agents

You might think of real estate agents only for buying and selling property, but did you know that they have a heap of knowledge that can add value to your next renovation or new home project?

In the previous episodes, I covered the cost of house construction to help you understand what your design ideas or your house plans might cost. In today's episode, we move on to the next step in the renovate or sell journey - property value and feasibility. You'll find out how a good real estate agent can help you answer your design brief and budget questions, and add real value to your home.

I talk to experienced real estate agent Tim Douglas from Place West Estate Agents in Paddington, Brisbane.

Australian Architects can claim formal CPD hours for these podcasts.

MORE INFORMATION

Find everything you need on the Renovation Collaborative website.

www.renovationcollaborative.com.au

• PODCAST Key points summary, timestamps and resource links
• FREE RESOURCES Transcript edited into clear Q&A.
• CPD Australian architects can find more information on CPD, and
• COURSES Eleven easy to read courses demystifying the entire home design and construction process.

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

00:00 Introduction

01:17 Do many renovators ask you for advice on their design brief and budget?

05:48 What information can real estate agents provide regarding brief or budget?

07:53 If someone is thinking of selling, should they talk to a real estate agent before they do any improvements?

11:46 What are the most common features that make a house not worth renovating?

16:59 For people putting together a design brief, what are the things that potential buyers always look for?

20:33 Do swimming pools add value and are people looking for them?

23:20 What is your advice on baths?

26:02 Do very personal or unusual design features make a house difficult to sell?

30:45 If you create a smaller home than others in the area, will it cause a problem when it comes to resale?

37:25 When is the best time to approach a real estate agent to get advice?

43:05 What are the typical relocation costs?

46:33 What design information should people bring when meeting with a real estate agent?

47:59 Key Points Summary

KEY POINTS SUMMARY

These are the key points from this episode:

1. Firstly, if you've got design brief or budget questions, it's always worth talking to a few experienced local real estate agents to get their opinion, particularly if you're considering selling in under five years. Agents talk to buyers on a daily basis so they're in a unique position to provide information on features that add value and those that don't, as well as what buyers are prepared to pay for them. At the end of the day, it's your house, so you can do what you want. You don't have to follow the agent's advice, but I always think it's worth getting informed before you start spending any money, so there's no regrets later on.

2. Secondly, it was...