Do you own your own home but not yet an investment property? Or perhaps you own your own home and an investment property (or 2). If you are 'stuck' in your property investing journey, then your own home could be your saving grace.

A great way to get started or keep going on your journey to financial security or freedom when you've hit a financial 'blip' is to renovate your own home. I'm continually surprised at how often this option is over-looked but it is an excellent way to gather together some more equity so you can buy another (or your first) investment property.

The problem with renovating your own home is that often you have lived there for years and see right past its potential (heck, I even have that in my own home!). Imagine you were going to sell your property - what would you do to it to appeal to the most amount of buyers. If you can get your head into an un-emotional headspace about your own home, then this is where you need to be making your renovating decisions from.

Sure, you want to still enjoy it on a day-to-day basis, but if the primary purpose of renovating your home is to increase equity in order to re-invest, then try to look at it through someone elses eyes (namely your valuer!).

What is it about your home that works and is appealing? Make sure you play on these things. What about your home doesn't work or is unattractive? Downplay those things. Think about the first day you ever laid eyes on the property. What did you think? Were there any changes you wanted to make that you still haven't?

Now is the time to make some of those changes. You may have lots of wonderful ideas about what you want to eventually do to your home, but for now it's a good idea to concentrate on doing those things that are specifically going to add value to it. Do you know the things that add value to a property? Do you know the things that will add value to YOUR property? These are two entirely different questions and the latter is the one to concentrate on. Creating a more 'designer' looking home is a great way to add value to it. And contrary to popular belief, creating a designer look does not (I repeat NOT) need to cost a lot of money.

So, if you need some extra equity for another property deal (or whatever reason) then create a more designer looking property and increase its value.

If you would like my personal assistance in renovating your home for more personal enjoyment and increased equity, then please get in touch (see pricing page).