INTERVIEW | Maximise Your Investment

From Renovation to Results: How Strategic Design and Real Estate

Expertise Work Together to Maximise Sale Price.

Preparing a home for sale is about much more than simply listing it on the market. It's about understanding what today's buyers are looking for and making smart, strategic decisions that maximise your property's appeal and value.

In this interview, Yvonne Baricevich from Ray White Stonefields and Susanne Hessing from Studio Gold & New share their insights on how combining real estate expertise with thoughtful interior design helps homeowners achieve the best possible outcome when selling their property.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/13959e_0ea615bfacf049a2b0669535ba58fc3c/720p/mp4/file.mp4

In this Reel we show what the collaboration between agent and designer has resulted into with this St Heliers property transformation. Read below our full interview and watch our other 4 Reel of our informative Series on Instagram @Studio_gold_and_new.

Who Adds More Value in This Transformed Sales Process – The Agent or the Designer?

Susanne: We work best together.

But why do you need a designer?

Yvonne: Without an interior designer, we real estate agents cannot put together a thoughtful transformation strategy. Susanne has created Studio Gold & New as a business focused on transforming properties to maximise their potential before they hit the market.

She works closely with agents to ensure the design recommendations align with the property's position in the market, the target buyer and the available budget. Her ability to identify where money should be spent—and where it shouldn't—is what makes the difference.

But why do you need an agent?

Susanne:  While I have previous experience in real estate, which helps me understand the industry and combine that knowledge with my interior design expertise, I cannot do this without an active real estate professional who understands the current market and buyer behaviour.

Markets can change quickly. What buyers are looking for today may be different in six months. Working closely with an agent allows us to make informed decisions about renovation scope, budget and presentation to ensure every dollar spent has a purpose.

Yvonne and her team go the extra mile for their vendors. Together we create a collaborative strategy before a property goes to market so homeowners can make informed decisions about whether to sell as-is or unlock additional value through transformation.

What Do Buyers Notice First When Walking Through a Property?

Susanne: Buyers notice the overall feeling of a home before they notice individual details.

It's often the small things—updated handles, modern tapware, fresh paint, good lighting and cohesive finishes—that contribute to that feeling. Individually they may seem insignificant, but collectively they create a strong first impression.

I also believe every property should have at least one memorable feature. Something buyers continue talking about after they leave. It could be a beautifully designed kitchen, a statement barn door, a stunning ensuite, a walk-in pantry or a thoughtfully transformed garage space.

Yvonne:  The spaces buyers focus on most are the kitchen, living areas and bathrooms. If these spaces are already done, buyers feel like a significant amount of work has been taken off their plate.

Susanne: Marketing creates the first impression online, but the physical experience must deliver on that promise. Ideally, the property exceeds expectations when buyers walk through the door.

What Is the Biggest Mistake Vendors Make?

Yvonne:  Overspending.

When renovating for resale, every dollar invested should have a purpose. Sometimes vendors undertake extensive renovations without considering whether those costs can realistically be recovered through the sale price.

The goal is not to create your dream home. The goal is to create the most marketable version of the property while achieving a positive return on investment.

Susanne:  Another common mistake is leaving obvious maintenance items unfinished.

A dripping tap, damaged skirting board, missing door handle or unfinished paintwork may seem minor, but buyers mentally deduct these items from the value of the property. They contribute to the overall perception that the home has not been well maintained.

Where Is Renovation Money Often Wasted?

Yvonne:  Sometimes homeowners assume they need major structural work when a simpler solution would achieve a similar result.

Not every property needs walls removed or expensive consent processes. The right strategy depends on the property's position in the market and the likely return.

Susanne:  Trend-driven design choices can also be expensive mistakes.

When renovating for resale, we are not designing for one person's taste—we are designing for the broadest possible buyer pool. Timeless design almost always outperforms highly personal or fashionable choices.

What Is One Upgrade That Almost Always Pays Off?

Susanne: The kitchen.

The kitchen is often the visual anchor of the home and one of the most influential spaces in a buyer's decision-making process.

Simple upgrades such as improved layout, engineered stone benchtops, updated cabinetry, quality tapware, modern lighting and thoughtful storage solutions can dramatically elevate the perceived value of a property.

Yvonne: An outdated kitchen can reduce perceived value by tens of thousands of dollars, even when the rest of the home is in good condition.

It is also one of the most photographed and scrutinised spaces in marketing campaigns.

After all, the kitchen is the heart of the home.

Case Study: Before & After – What Actually Added Value?

The Agent's Perspective

When you first walked through this property, what did you see?

Yvonne:  I saw a property with great bones but several spaces that were limiting its appeal.

The kitchen felt cramped and disconnected, the bathroom looked dated, the entry flow wasn't working well and the internal-access garage felt dark, cluttered and underutilised.

What would have limited the sale price?

Yvonne:  Buyers would have immediately factored in the cost, effort and uncertainty of future renovations.

The property's potential wasn't obvious. Buyers often discount heavily when they cannot easily visualise what a space could become.

Studio Gold&New's Strategy

Where did you focus the renovation budget?

Susanne: We focused on the kitchen, bathroom and internal-access garage.

The kitchen received the largest portion of the budget because it had the greatest impact on both functionality and perceived value. While the budget didn't allow us to create a fully open-plan space, we discovered and reopened a previous doorway, dramatically improving flow at a fraction of the cost.

The garage was another hidden opportunity. By concealing exposed services, creating a functional laundry and reusing cabinetry from the original kitchen, we transformed what was previously a dark storage space into a valuable extension of the home.

What did you intentionally not change?

Susanne:  The bathroom needed improvement, but the budget didn't support a complete renovation.

Instead, we strategically retained elements that were still functional and invested in high-impact upgrades. Through clever tile selection, updated finishes and thoughtful design, we achieved a significant transformation without the expense of a full replacement.

What Are You Trying to Achieve Through These Transformations?

Susanne:  Ultimately, I'm creating an emotional connection.

Buyers need to walk into a property and immediately imagine themselves living there. That's achieved through thoughtful layout planning, cohesive design, timeless colour palettes and creating spaces that feel warm, functional and aspirational.

Good design isn't just about aesthetics. It's about making a property feel larger, lighter, more functional and more desirable.

Yvonne:  When buyers connect emotionally, everything changes.

They spend longer in the property, they return for second viewings, they become competitive and they're often willing to stretch beyond their initial budget.

Additional Questions

When Should Homeowners Start Thinking About Preparing Their Property for Sale?

Yvonne: Earlier than most people think.

Ideally, homeowners should start the conversation six to twelve months before they plan to sell. That gives us time to assess the property, understand the market and decide whether improvements are worthwhile.

Susanne: The earlier we are involved, the more options homeowners have.

When time is limited, decisions are often rushed and opportunities can be missed. With more time, we can plan strategically, stage the work properly and maximise every dollar invested.

How Do You Decide Which Renovations Are Worth Doing?

Susanne: We start by identifying what is currently holding the property back.

Every property has strengths and weaknesses. Our role is to determine which weaknesses are limiting value and which improvements will create the greatest impact for buyers.

Yvonne:  We also compare the property against competing homes currently selling in the same market.

The goal isn't necessarily to have the best property on the market. The goal is to position the property strongly enough to compete and achieve the best possible return.

What Makes a Renovation Successful From a Sales Perspective?

Yvonne: A successful renovation creates more competition among buyers.

When more buyers are interested, sellers gain leverage and often achieve stronger outcomes.

Susanne:  A successful renovation doesn't necessarily mean spending more money.

The most successful projects are often those where every design decision has been made strategically and every dollar has been allocated where it will create the greatest impact.

What Has Been Different Since This Property Was Transformed?

Yvonne: The buyer profile has expanded significantly.

We're now seeing interest from buyers who are also considering properties in stronger locations and higher price brackets. That tells us the presentation and perceived value of the home have increased substantially.

We're also seeing strong attendance through open homes, which reflects the level of interest generated by the transformation.

Susanne: Every property needs something memorable.

In this case, the redesigned kitchen and transformed garage have become standout features. The property now feels larger, more functional and more complete.

Instead of seeing the garage as a dark afterthought, buyers now see it as valuable additional space with flexibility for storage, hobbies, work or future adaptation.

What Advice Would You Give Vendors Thinking About Selling?

Susanne:  Don't assume you need a full renovation.

Many homeowners are surprised by how much value can be created through strategic improvements rather than major construction. Start with a professional assessment and understand where your budget will have the greatest impact.

Yvonne: You only get one first impression in the market.

Once a property launches, buyers form opinions quickly. If a property would benefit from improvements, it's usually better to address them before going live rather than trying to recover after a slow start.

Final Thoughts

Susanne:  Every property has untapped potential. The key is identifying where that potential exists and creating a strategy that aligns with the market, the budget and the expected return.

Yvonne: Selling a property shouldn't be about guessing. By combining market expertise with strategic design, homeowners can make informed decisions and give themselves the best possible opportunity to achieve an exceptional result.

Together: The most successful sales happen when preparation starts before the property reaches the market. That's where thoughtful design and real estate expertise come together to create real value.