Upper North Shore Sydney sees increasing renovation activity: HTW residential

The prestige market on the Upper North Shore is seeing plenty of renovation activity, although this is not uncommon for this area of course, according to the latest Herron Todd White (HTW) residential report. 

The valuation firm suggests that in locations across the nation, the downtime delivered by isolation has spurned on owners looking to improve their assets through maintenance and upgrade. This month's HTW residential report highlights where renovations are on the rise and the price points and outcomes those markets can expect.

"It can traditionally be very hard to find a property that ticks all of your boxes at this higher end of the market, so usually buyers or owners are willing to renovate as needed and are more likely to have the funds to do so.

"This has become even more pronounced with the dramatic drop in the amount of stock coming onto the market during this COVID-19 period," the valuation firm said. 

Home-owners who were looking to potentially upgrade prior to March this year may now be nervous due to the current uncertainty in the market and decide to renovate instead. 

The report notes these same owners may now have slightly more time on their hands too, allowing them to investigate the renovation and associated DA process.

Renovations on the Upper North Shore, assuming undertaken to a quality standard, traditionally provide the added value of the completed work at a minimum.

"Of course there is always the odd property where over-capitilisation has occurred, but it is hard to go wrong in this sector of the market if owners follow the basic renovation rules," the valuation firm said. 

An example of a recent purchase and renovation job re-sold in March this year for a substantially higher price.

The period property At 36 Powell Street, Killara (pictured below) sold in May 2015 for $2.75 million and was in dated condition throughout.

After some small extension work, floor plan re-configuration and a full internal renovation, the property re-sold in March this year for $6.1 million (pictured below).

"Of course there has been some market growth over this period too, but it is still a good example of the added value of quality renovation works.

"Situated on a good sized block with a highly desirable north-to-rear aspect and located in a well-regarded street, this was always going to see a substantial increase in value," the valuation firm said.