Redoing your kitchen, your bathroom or undertaking an energy renovation before selling your home may seem like a no-brainer. However, these expenses, which sometimes reach several tens of thousands of euros, are not always recovered in the sale price. Before starting any work, one question is worth asking: will they really make it possible to sell faster… or more expensively?
The answer is more nuanced than it seems. No text requires an owner to renovate his home before selling it. Property can be transferred as is, even with a DPE inefficient. The seller must, however, give the buyer the technical diagnostic file (DDT) and, depending on the case, a regulatory energy auditwhich provides information on possible work without making it obligatory. The real question is therefore not whether to renovate, but what work has a real chance of being profitable.
Large jobs are not always the best investment
The idea that a complete renovation would automatically lead to higher prices is widely held. In fact, real estate professionals rather invite caution. A high-end kitchen, a completely redone bathroom or a complete renovation represent a significant investment that the seller does not necessarily recover in the sale price.
“I strongly advise against doing major work before selling, at the risk of not recovering all of the sums invested in the sale price”estimates Julien Louri, independent real estate agent.
This reality is also explained by the behavior of buyers. Many prefer to buy slightly cheaper housing in order to carry out the work themselves according to their tastes. A brand new kitchen or very striking decoration therefore does not necessarily constitute a decisive argument, especially if their cost is already included in the asking price.
Refreshment work often offers the best return on investment
“Refreshment work is often the most interesting. We must focus on the visual rather than starting a major project”continues Julien Louri. The simplest interventions are often the most effective. Repainting walls, replacing worn flooring, repairing small visible defects or decluttering rooms generally makes it possible to enhance a home at a lower cost.
One of the first jobs that the real estate agent recommends concerns housing in the very marked decoration. “When a property has niche decoration or colored walls, I encourage sellers to repaint at least the living rooms white and, if possible, the entire home. One of the main obstacles for buyers is their difficulty in planning ahead. A sober decoration, a decluttered interior and neutral colors facilitate this projection. »
According to Julien Louri, the choice depends above all on the seller’s project. “Before deciding to carry out work, you must first understand the seller’s project: are they looking to sell quickly or get the best price? » A few targeted works can be enough to make a property more attractive and facilitate the sale.
The DPE can influence the sales strategy
Energy classification has become a criterion increasingly scrutinized by buyers. However, classified accommodation F Or G remains perfectly salable. On the other hand, it may be the subject of more significant negotiation. According to the Notaries of Francea old house classified G sold on average 25% cheaper than a comparable listed house D. For the apartmentsthe average discount reaches 12%.
“A home with a bad DPE always sells. On the other hand, it may take more time and you must be prepared to negotiate more”observe Julien Louri. Therefore, carrying out an energy renovation before the sale is not systematically the most profitable choice. It all depends on the cost of the work, the value of the property and the seller’s strategy.
In the end, doing work before selling is neither an obligation nor a guarantee of selling for more. Before committing several thousand, or even tens of thousands of euros, it is better to assess the condition of the property, the demand on the local market and the profile of the targeted buyers. In many cases, a few targeted renovation works are enough to make a home more attractive, without compromising the profitability of the operation.
