Should I buy a property or renovate my home?

Making the decision to sell your property or renovate it can feel like a tug-of-war. On one hand, you're eyeing that fresh start. On the other, you're wondering if a few upgrades could turn your current space into your dream home (and maybe add value while you're at it).

So, what’s the smarter move for 2025? Let’s break it down.

The Pros of Renovating Your Home

Add Value to Your Property

Well-planned renovations can increase your home's resale value significantly. Think kitchen makeovers, loft conversions, or updating the bathroom.

Tip: Focus on updates that bring high ROI — buyers love modern kitchens and extra bedrooms.

Avoid the Costs of Moving

Let’s face it — stamp duty, solicitors, surveys, and removal costs add up quickly. Renovating saves you from forking out thousands just to change address.

Personalised Living

Renovating means you get to call the shots — from layout changes to interior finishes. You design the space to suit your lifestyle.

Stay in the Neighbourhood You Love

If you're attached to your area (schools, community, commute), staying put could be the emotional and practical win.

The Cons of Renovating

Unexpected Costs

No matter how tight your budget is, renovations almost always cost more than planned. Hidden issues (hello, dodgy wiring!) can pop up mid-project.

Tip: create an excel spreadsheet pre renovation and include your total budget and how that will be divided between labour and building material costs. Make a note of all the works you can do yourself and what you will need to delegate.

Stress & Disruption

Living through renovations isn’t exactly glamorous. Dust, noise, delays — and potentially living elsewhere for a bit.

Planning & Permissions

Extensions or major work may need planning approval, which can slow things down or derail plans entirely.

The Pros of Selling Your Property

Opportunity for a Fresh Start

Selling gives you a clean slate. New area, new space, new energy. Whether you're upsizing, downsizing or relocating — the market might be ripe for change.

Skip the Hassle of Building Works

No contractors, no dust, no delays. You move straight into a new (and hopefully improved) situation.

Cash in on a Hot Market

If property values in your area have risen, selling now could mean a tidy profit — especially if you’ve already built equity.

The Cons of Selling

It’s Expensive

Selling isn't free. Estate agent fees, legal costs, EPC certificates, and moving expenses all eat into your profit.

Emotional Toll

Letting go of a family home or neighbourhood you love can be harder than expected.

Market Uncertainty

Timing the market is tricky. If demand dips or rates rise, you could struggle to sell or get the price you hoped for.

So, Should You Renovate or Sell?

Property Agony Aunt Q&A:

Question:

I love my location, but need more space I can't bear to live in a building site

I'm emotionally attached to this house

I've got equity but not cash for major works

I want to increase value before selling in the future

I don't want to live too far from my friends but my kids need to be in a better school

Answer:

Depending on how much space you need you could look into renovating first. It depends on the amount of work you foresee being done. If it's just a small amount there are ways to manage it but if you believe there's quite a lot to be done, then sell. Renovate. Work out how much work you require being done and how much that is going to cost. Are you looking for a spruce up or a major extension? Renovate but explore what would give you the greatest return on investment. Speak to estate agents to see what has been deal breakers for the last 5 years. Could it be a kitchen upgrade? or even garden?

There's a solution for everything although it may not be the IDEAL solution, applies here. Could you look at schools a bit further from where you currently live? It may mean you have a longer drive, but it could be a good compromise. If you do move out, could you host coffee mornings for parents, or even, quarterly dinner parties for your friends that you left? Weigh up your most prioritise and explore all avenues of compromise.