Residential Guidebook Residential Guidebook 2013 | Page 46

IMPROVING Buying A Renovator’s Dream Visualise the potential B uying a home that is in serious need of renovation is not for everyone and can be riddled with disaster. However, for those who do have the know-how and finances, it could be a very profitable and rewarding endeavour. Adrian Goslett, CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa, says that the difference between a successful investment and a money trap lies in choosing the right fixer-upper home from the start. According to Goslett, there are a few reasons why certain investors opt for these kinds of homes, such as the fact that with less competition in the market for fixer-uppers, they are generally lower-priced properties in spite of the market conditions. There is also a large potential on the return of investment at resale, with many investors buying fixer-upper homes with the sole intention of selling them for a profit at a later date. Making the right decisions from the beginning will have an impact on the end result of the property’s investment prospective. The perfect home that everybody wants may be hidden under a variety of elements that would normally turn many buyers away, such as peeling paint and a sagging ceiling. An investor looking to find the ideal fixer-upper will have to see past all that to visualise the home’s true potential. 44 Residential Handbook 2013 www.reimag.co.za