Northern Hills Magazine 2015 Easter Issue | Page 24

IMAGES: SUPPLIED ARTICLE / DÉCOR “ONCE YOU HAVE A BETTER IDEA OF WHAT YOUR NEEDS ARE, EMPLOY A PROFESSIONAL DESIGNER TO HELP YOU DRAW UP A MASTER PLAN” LESSONS TO BE LEARNT TAKE YOUR TIME TO PERFECT THE DESIGN BEFORE EMPLOYING A CONTRACTOR PAGE 22 / NORTHERN HILLS / EASTER ISSUE 2015 One of the first lessons I was taught about buying real estate, is to buy the most affordable property in the best suburb that you can afford. Regardless of what you consider to be the best area to invest in, following this advice is crucial in setting up the return on your investment and making sure that your family have access to good schools and infrastructure. The reality of following this advice is that most people end up buying an older and often slightly run-down property that doesn’t quite meet their needs, and might sometimes need extensive renovations to suit their lifestyle. Aside from doing any urgent maintenance, tidying up the garden and giving the house a fresh coat of paint, you should not rush into a renovation project without doing your homework properly. Construction costs are high and it is important to invest your renovation rands wisely. The two most important tools in deciding how to renovate your home, are time, as well as professional advice. Be patient and allow WWW.NORTHERNHILLS.CO.ZA