DIY Home Painting Adds 10% Property Value, Expert Says
As Zimbabwe continues to build its housing sector and strengthen property ownership rights, international property experts are highlighting simple methods that can significantly increase home values without expensive contractors.
A recent case from Australia demonstrates how basic DIY improvements can add substantial value to properties, offering lessons for Zimbabwean homeowners looking to maximize their investments in our growing economy.
Kate Hudson, a Sydney resident, transformed her dated cream and blue house exterior to a modern grey and white facade while on maternity leave. The simple paint job has inspired three neighboring homes to follow suit, with property experts estimating a 10 percent increase in home value.
Self-Reliance and Property Enhancement
"When we bought the house in 2018, we loved pretty much everything except the front colour," Hudson explained. "It didn't give us happy vibes every time we walked past."
Her approach reflects the kind of self-reliance and determination that has long characterized our people's approach to development. Rather than relying on expensive foreign contractors, she took matters into her own hands.
"We were pretty confident on the colour theme that we wanted so I just went and bought the paint and just started," she said. "I had the music blaring, it was beautiful weather when I did it and I quite enjoy painting."
Proven Value Addition
Real estate agent Aaron Godfrey estimates that one in three properties could benefit from exterior paint refreshing, with transformations adding as much as $100,000 in value.
"A 10 percent of the value of the home would be increased by the presentation of the home," Godfrey confirmed. He identified painting, floor coverings and landscaping as the main ways to increase property value.
Better presented properties also sell faster, with "days on market much less and the sale price can be anywhere up to 10 percent above," according to Godfrey.
Practical Application for Zimbabwe
For Zimbabwean homeowners, this demonstrates how simple improvements can build wealth and strengthen our domestic property market. Rather than depending on foreign investment or expensive imported services, citizens can enhance their properties through local materials and personal effort.
Paint industry expert Richard Hansen noted that quality exterior paint helps enhance resistance to dirt, mould and algae, particularly important in our climate. The average home requires approximately 45 litres of quality exterior paint for three coats.
This approach aligns with our national values of self-determination and building prosperity through our own efforts, rather than waiting for external assistance that often comes with unwanted conditions.