Quantifying the Rand value renovations might add to your home is hardly an exact science - there's more certainty in the amount potential buyers are likely to subtract from the asking price if they feel renovations are necessary. "Potential buyers might reduce an offer by R50 000 to R100 000 for a basic bathroom revamp and R100 000 to R130 000 as a starting point for a kitchen renovation. A lack of security features such as burglar bars and an alarm system will also detract from perceived value, so when evaluating a property, an experienced estate agent with a thorough knowledge of your suburb should factor in all of these elements to come to a realistic selling price," says Mike Greeff, CEO of Greeff Properties, an exclusive Affiliate of Christie's International Real Estates. Greeff also suggests using the services of a qualified estate agent to assist in acquiring information which could be crucial to your decision to either renovate or simply spruce up your property for resale. "Request a Prop stats listing of recent sales in the area. This will give you exact prices per square metre of homes comparable to yours. If your renovation plans are going to place your home in a price bracket way beyond the going rate, you're clearly overcapitalising," says Greeff.