Love Where You Live - And Watch Its Value Grow - The Hobart / Launceston Magazine

Love Where You Live – And Watch Its Value Grow

by Stephanie Williams

With recent changes to capital gains tax in Australia shifting the spotlight onto the family home as a smart financial asset, more Australians are asking the question: what can I do to make my home worth more? The good news is, you don’t need a massive budget or a full knockdown-rebuild to make a real difference. A few well-chosen upgrades can add serious value – and make your place a whole lot more enjoyable to live in along the way.

Whether you’re thinking about selling in a few years or simply want to build more equity in the home you love, here are some of the best ways to get started.

Refresh Your Kitchen

The kitchen is the heart of the home, and buyers know it. You don’t need a full gut renovation – even updating your benchtops, splashback, or cabinet hardware can completely transform the feel of the space. If you do have the budget for a more substantial update, a functional, modern kitchen is consistently one of the best investments you can make.

Upgrade Your Bathroom

Nothing dates a home quite like a tired bathroom. Swapping out old tapware, re-grouting tiles, or installing a new vanity are relatively affordable changes that make an instant impression. Buyers pay close attention to bathrooms, so even modest improvements here can shift how your whole home is perceived.

Boost Your Kerb Appeal

You only get one first impression, so make it count. A tidy garden, fresh exterior paint, a new front door, or some updated outdoor lighting can dramatically lift the look of your home from the street. It’s often the least expensive work you can do for a disproportionately big impact.

Create More Usable Space

Extra space equals extra value. Think about whether you could convert a garage into a home office, enclose a verandah, or add a deck for outdoor entertaining. Functional, flexible spaces are what today’s buyers are looking for.

Improve Energy Efficiency

Solar panels, better insulation, and energy-efficient windows are high on buyers’ wish lists in Tasmania – and for good reason. They reduce running costs, improve comfort, and signal a well-maintained, forward-thinking home. It’s a win for the wallet now and your sale price later.

The bottom line? Your home is one of your most valuable assets. A little love and the right upgrades can go a long way.

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Hobart Happenings

by Steph Williams

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Stay up to date with everything happening at the Hobart Magazine.

Worker shortage is currently universal, there isn’t an industry that’s exempt. For Kelvin Smith, four years ago he decided there was a very obvious solution to the shortage facing the construction industry, and all that was needed was a little time, empathy and a helping hand. Integrate Workforce is a Hobart-based labour company with one requirement: a refugee/ migrant background. He’s also the outdoor piano man in his free time.

Landscape artist and creative Elliott Nimmo is enjoying discovering Hobart’s vibrant art scene and local environment after relocating here from London to pursue his art.

Even though Tasmania is known for its mild summers, it doesn’t take much to get sunburnt. Tasmania experiences extreme ultraviolet (UV) levels, but contrary to popular belief this isn’t due to the hole in the ozone layer, which is actually south of the continent.While higher UV levels often occur at the same time as higher temperatures, the two are not linked. Instead, UV levels are determined by the angle of the sun in the sky: the higher the sun, the higher the UV. In December and January, the position of the sun over Tasmania gives the state a UV index of 11 or more on most days, which is classified as “extreme” on the UV index. Tasmania’s lack of humidity and generally clear skies contribute to the stinging feeling of the sun. UV can reflect off buildings and water, making it possible to get a higher dose of UV from these reflected rays, even in the shade.

Setting up shop during a pandemic was a risky move, but if the crowd at Dāna Eating House (Dāna) on a Friday night is anything to go by, it’s one that’s paid off. With tables of diners chatting and laughing over drinks, the music and conversation buzzes off the monstera-leaf-green walls. Low-hanging rattan lights and worn wooden floorboards give the newly opened South-East Asian fusion venue in Hobart’s CBD a relaxed vibe.

A Holyman flagged ship hasn’t steamed up the River Derwent since 1984 but the company’s name still proudly adorns its former offices at 5 Morrison Street, Hobart.

Widening the Tasman Bridge to allow 3.5 metres on each side is a big win for walkers and cyclists.

Need a laugh? Check out @theinspiredunemployed feed on Instagram.

Rain, hail and shine, the school crossing guards are always there to help with a smile on their face.

It’s hard to believe it’s not standard practice to have a working phone in every aged care room - shared phones make private conversations impossible and increase the risk of spreading COVID-19.

Just when you think your cousins are alright. NZ Opposition Leader Judith Collins took aim at Tassie during her recent (unsuccessful) campaign, calling us Australia’s “poor cousin.” She also seems worried about us nabbing tech businesses, “It’s a lovely part of the world but do you necessarily want to go there with your high- tech business? Possibly not,” she said. We beg to differ!