11/06/2026
π‘ "We spent $80,000 renovating... and the bank only valued our home $25,000 higher."
It's a conversation happening more often than people realise.
As property advisors, one of the hardest truths we have to share with homeowners is this:
The property market doesn't care what you spent.
It cares what buyers are willing to pay.
And in 2026, buyer priorities are changing dramatically.
Many homeowners are still spending money based on advice from 2015.
The market has moved on.
Let me show you what we mean.
β¬οΈ
A Perth homeowner spends:
β’ $45,000 on a luxury kitchen
β’ $12,000 on imported stone
β’ $8,000 on premium appliances
β’ $5,000 on designer tapware
Total investment?
$70,000.
Likely value increase?
Anywhere from $20,000-$50,000 depending on location, buyer demographic and surrounding sales.
Now let's compare that to another homeowner who spends:
β’ $8,000 on landscaping
β’ $4,000 on fresh paint
β’ $3,000 on lighting upgrades
β’ $5,000 on minor maintenance
β’ $5,000 on smart home technology
Total investment?
$25,000.
Potential value increase?
Often similar or sometimes higher because the entire property feels modern, maintained and move-in ready.
The lesson?
Buyers purchase emotions first and features second.
When somebody walks through your front door, they aren't calculating the cost of your benchtops.
They're imagining Christmas lunch with their family.
They're picturing their children playing in the backyard.
They're imagining coming home after a stressful day and feeling proud of where they live.
β€οΈ Property has always been emotional.
But in 2026, buyers are also becoming increasingly practical.
Which brings us to one of the biggest value drivers most homeowners are overlooking..
π± SMART HOME TECHNOLOGY
Five years ago smart homes were a luxury.
Today they're becoming an expectation.
Features buyers are actively looking for include:
β Smart security systems
β Video doorbells
β Smart locks
β Smart lighting
β Automated blinds
β Smart garage door controls
β Energy monitoring systems
β Smart climate control
Why?
Because convenience saves time.
Security provides peace of mind.
Energy efficiency saves money.
And buyers love all three.
A $1,500-$3,000 smart security setup can often have a stronger impact on buyer perception than a $15,000 cosmetic renovation.
Especially for young professionals, investors and families.
β‘ ENERGY EFFICIENCY IS THE NEW LUXURY
This surprises many people.
In 2026, some buyers care more about electricity bills than they do about designer tapware.
Features adding significant appeal include:
β’ Solar systems
β’ Battery storage
β’ Double glazing
β’ Quality insulation
β’ Energy-efficient hot water systems
β’ Smart air conditioning systems
A buyer looking at two identical homes may choose the one with lower ongoing running costs every single time.
Why?
Because rising living expenses have changed purchasing behaviour.
People aren't just buying homes anymore.
They're buying lifestyles and future affordability.
π« WHAT ACTUALLY DECREASES VALUE?
This part hurts.
Because many homeowners accidentally do it.
β Overcapitalising
Spending $100,000 in a suburb where buyers only value $40,000 of improvements.
β Highly personalised renovations
Bright red kitchens.
Purple feature walls.
Custom built-ins designed around your personal hobbies.
You love them.
Buyers may not.
β Poor maintenance
Leaking taps.
Cracked paint.
Broken fittings.
Small issues make buyers wonder what bigger problems are hiding.
β DIY renovations
Buyers are becoming far more educated.
Poor workmanship can destroy confidence and become a negotiation tool.
β Removing bedrooms
One of the biggest mistakes we see.
Turning a 4-bedroom home into a luxury 3-bedroom home can actually reduce value because you've reduced your buyer pool.
π‘ THE HIGHEST RETURN ON INVESTMENT IMPROVEMENTS
For most existing homes:
1οΈβ£ Street appeal and landscaping
2οΈβ£ Fresh paint
3οΈβ£ Modern lighting
4οΈβ£ Minor kitchen updates
5οΈβ£ Bathroom refreshes
6οΈβ£ Smart technology
7οΈβ£ Outdoor entertaining areas
8οΈβ£ Energy efficiency upgrades
For new builds:
1οΈβ£ Functional floorplans
2οΈβ£ Quality storage
3οΈβ£ Home office spaces
4οΈβ£ Smart technology integration
5οΈβ£ Solar readiness
6οΈβ£ Energy-efficient design
7οΈβ£ Larger alfresco areas
8οΈβ£ Flexible family living zones
Because here's the reality...
Nobody falls in love with a property because it has a $900 tap.
They fall in love because the home makes them feel something.
The smartest property decisions aren't always the most expensive.
They're the ones that create a better lifestyle while increasing market appeal.
That's where strategy beats spending.
And that's exactly why Ivory Lane exists.
To help everyday Australians make property decisions with confidence, clarity and heart.
Because every dollar you invest in your home should be working as hard as you did to earn it.
