The Investment Story.

INVEST IN THE BEST.

ITALTILE’S RENOVATION CHRONICLES.

#1 THE VALUE OF INVESTING IN THE BEST QUALITY TO UPGRADE YOUR WAY TO A QUICKER, BETTER ROI.

Despite grim predictions from the doom and gloom press, with endless load-shedding, rising interest rates, and inflation woes, the South African property market is in relatively OK shape, says ooba.co.za; and the stability of bricks and mortar remains appealing, which is amazing, really, in such mercurial times. So high-five yourself, the homeowner. You have a splendid asset there.

Are you thinking of putting your home on the market in the near future? A word to the wise... right now, it’s a buyer’s market out there. That means supply exceeds demand. In other words, purchasers have the advantage over sellers in the negotiations. Houses are selling for less and many may have to sit on the market for a good long while before getting the attractive price they’re looking for. In this competitive market, standing out from the crowd is the name of the game. And that's where quality renovations come in; investing in top-quality workmanship and beautiful, high-end finishes, to deliver the requisite “rizz” that puts your property head and shoulders above the rest in its category.

Investing in your home's interior and exterior areas isn't just about creating a luxurious space for yourself (although a beautiful environment will greatly add to your family’s way of life, without a doubt); it's about adding serious bankable value to your property in the long term. In fact, recent research by privateproperty.co.za shows that certain renovations, if carefully and smartly done, can help you significantly increase your asking price and attract more potential buyers.

So, where should you start? Here are the top three areas of your home that are guaranteed to give you the best bang for your buck:

1.The Kitchen: Make It The Heart Of The Home

Yes, it’s a cliché, but there's a reason why they call the kitchen the heart of the home. It really is the family ops centre. A modern, well-equipped kitchen is a major selling point for potential buyers. Think sleek countertops, luxury tiles, high-end appliances, nifty storage facilities, clever lighting, good-looking cabinetry and stylish, beautifully functional taps and sinks.

But be prudent, says privateproperty.co.za ... don’t overcapitalise. Your reno plans should not cost more than 2% of the current value of your property. With that algorithm in mind, a R2 million home should see you spending around R40 000 on a fresh new kitchen. And a R4 million valuation? About R80 000.

Our kitchen guru partners over at EasyLife Kitchens (ELK) see it a bit differently and take that figure a bit higher. ELK’s Monique da Costa reckons you should budget between 5% and 8% of your home’s value –  to cover the costs of new kitchen cabinets, worktops and installation. That excludes appliances and finishes.

In our book, though, if money is an issue, a gorgeous new kitchen backsplash, created with absolutely knockout kitchen tiles, goes a long way to creating a visually exciting new kitchen aesthetic.

Here at Italtile, we have everything you need, backed by iron-clad guarantees and after sales service, to transform the heart of your home into a high-functioning, aesthetically pleasing and enduring place of pleasure.

Whether you select Italtile’s exclusive imported, eco-chic pieces, or local sustainably manufactured products, you can rest assured that your Italtile style is a solid investment that will pay dividends in the long run.  We’ll be covering kitchen investment smarts in more detail in the next Italtile Renovation Chronicle, so stay tuned.

2. The Bathroom: Go From Functional To Fabulous

Gone are the days of basic bathrooms. Today's buyers are looking for spa-like experiences at home (and you can thank the pandemic for that, from the days when we couldn’t go out, and had to recreate our joy inside). Take a long, hard look at your bathrooms – if you’re fortunate to have more than one. Are things looking a little dated? If your budget is under strain, consider starting small with a matching set of crisp new bathroom accessories.

One rung up the reno ladder you’ll be looking at replacing the bathroom tiles, mosaics and so on. Here we always encourage the choice of more classic, neutral looks – stone look tiles, wood look tiles, with harmonising décor tiles – to create an aesthetic that is more universally pleasing, rather than too much poppy colour, which is generally a personal preference and can put potential buyers off. Not everyone vibes to your favourite pink, Patricia.

With more budget at your disposal, you’re looking at adding luxurious local and imported hand-finished bathtubs, handcrafted sanware, rainfall showers, etc. And here’s where we can advise, with a practised eye. (Well, several practiced eyes... belonging to our interior design-certified sales consultants.)

We’ll be covering the topic of investing in an Italtile Bathroom Reno in the course of our Renovation Chronicles. Look out for it on our Blog. Suffice it to say, a home with more than one beautiful and luxuriantly appointed bathroom is a Very Attractive Prospect to the discerning house hunter out there.

3. The Outdoor Oasis: Expanding Your Living Space

Oh, how we love the great outdoors. A beautiful and inviting outdoor area can be a major selling point with potential buyers. An impeccably maintained swimming pool, a ‘full service’ patio with an outdoor kitchen, and a welcoming braai area are key areas. According to Bankrate, an outdoor entertainment area can add up to 15% to your asking price, which makes a luxurious upgrade or full renovation one of your best investments.

We’ll be homing in on more detailed specifics regarding the investment in an outdoor renovation in the course of the next month or so, as part of our helpful, useful Renovation Chronicles.

Beyond The Big Three: Additional Upgrades To Attract Buyers And A Satisfying ROI. While the kitchen, bathroom, and outdoor areas are major selling points and deserve as much attention as you can afford, there are a few other improvements you can make to further increase your home's appeal and consequently your selling price.

Curb Appeal: A first impression is everything, so make sure your home's exterior is looking its best. This includes painting the front door, sprucing up the garden walls, landscaping the garden, considering a waterwise indigenous planting, installing beautiful pavers, and adding new lighting.

Energy Efficiency: Eco-conscious buyers are looking for homes that are energy-efficient. Of course, if you’ve mitigated against load-shedding pain, that’ll definitely count in your favour when buyers take a walk around your property. They’ll appreciate the addition of solar panels, or a generator, or energy-saving appliances.

Smart Features: Smart technology is becoming increasingly popular, so consider adding smart locks, thermostats and lighting systems.

Storage Solutions: Everyone loves plenty of storage space, so consider upping the built-in shelves, cabinets, and closets in your kitchen, bathrooms and bedrooms.

Pet-Friendly Features: If you have pets, consider adding pet doors, built-in feeding stations, and deluxe, easy-to-clean tiles rather than carpeting.

Power Points: Take a long, hard look at your electrical outlets. Are you the ‘snake charmer’ of endless extension cable and adaptors? Feel no shame. It happens. And unsightly though it is, everyone just overlooks it. Except the potential buyer! SA Homeloans suggests installing some strategically placed outlets that include USB and multiplug ports.

Security: You can never have too much. Where to start? You certainly cannot go without electric fencing and gates. Or burglar bars. Then, progress from there. CCTV and cameras constantly monitoring your premises might be a stretch, but peace of mind is priceless, really. And it’s 100% what a prospective buyer is looking for.

Create More Space: Even a large house can do with some extra space. The creative addition of roominess can add a good chunk to your asking price. You could turn your empty loft into a home gym. Single bathroom homes will benefit from another bathroom, for sure; or if budgets don’t allow for that luxury, then a guest loo .... a separate WC makes all the difference.

Investing In Quality Pays Off In The Long Run. When it comes to renovations, it's important to remember that quality matters. By choosing durable materials from trusted luxury brand houses like Italtile, you can be confident that your renovations will not only last for years to come, but also appeal to newcomers. Not only will this add value to your home, but it will also make it a more enjoyable, comfortable, welcoming place to live.

As leading experts in high-end tiles, taps, sanitaryware and bathroom furniture, Italtile is your one-stop shop for all your renovation needs. We have the expertise and experience to help you invest in the right deluxe touches to suit your pocket and your personal style, to create a home that is both stunning and valuable.

Our role in your reno is to ensure your home has ‘standoutability’ and we’re here to help you create that difference with investment tiles, taps, sanware and bathroom furniture that set your property apart and unlock the value you’re looking for.

Here’s a word of caution from RE/MAX CEO Adrian Goslet:

"Just because you spent R200 000 on home improvements does not necessarily mean that your house is automatically worth R200 000 more."

You won’t necessarily recoup every cent. But a beautifully functional, luxurious home will be a more rapid reseller and achieve a better price than the dowdy abode next door. The solution is to plan wisely. Be realistic about your budget. And do what’s achievable. Perhaps, plan your upgrades in stages. But always, always, always BUY THE VERY BEST QUALITY YOU CAN AFFORD.

One last word before we leave you to your reno dreams. The prospect of a renovation or an upgrade or a new build is fearsomely nerve-wracking... unless you have help. And help is at hand, at no extra cost, for all our Italtile customers, from our professional team of Residential Agents. Worry not, fellow homeowners. These interior design-certified experts will guide you safely through the reno jungle. Your Italtile Residential Agent will add valuable assistance to the project process, from design and budget, through to room renders, site visits and sample delivery. At no cost to you. Let’s say that again. At no cost to you. Read more about these good people here.