How to Increase Selling Price on a New Investment Property Build: 7 Valuable Design Choices
New builds give investors the rare chance to make every dollar work from day one. The goal isn’t to splash cash, it’s to choose design moves that widen the buyer pool, lift perceived quality and keep long-term running costs down. The seven choices below draw on what buyers in Australia respond to right now and what tends to stand up during inspections and valuations.
1) Plan for flexible spaces, not just square metres
A floor plan that adapts to different life stages reads as better value. Create one room that can work as a study, nursery or second living space by providing acoustic treatment, data points and natural light. Recently, there’s an ongoing appeal of flexible layouts and home-office options, reflecting post-pandemic work patterns and lifestyle shifts.
Many interior designers understand how adaptable layouts add to property appeal for both residential and commercial buyers.
2) Put your best work into kitchens and bathrooms
Buyers tend to judge a property by these rooms first. Focus spend on durable benchtops, good task lighting, quality mixers and reliable appliances. Realestate.com.au consistently lists refreshed kitchens and bathrooms among the highest-impact upgrades for sale campaigns, with flooring and premium appliances also lifting first impressions. The message is clear: well-specified wet areas shorten days on market and support stronger price expectations.
That doesn’t mean chasing fad finishes. Broad-appeal palettes, sensible storage and properly ventilated spaces are safer than ultra-specific looks that date quickly or shrink the buyer pool. Not every major renovation pays back, so focus on practical improvements and durable, mid-to-high quality inclusions that align with the rest of the home.
Professional input from residential interior designers in Sydney can help strike the right balance between cost efficiency and presentation.
3) Invest in energy performance buyers can see (and feel)
Energy-efficient homes are drawing more attention in Australian listings, and demand is translating into price. In 2025, energy-efficient features are now a “must-have” for many buyers, with sales listings frequently promoting them. For a new build, target strong NatHERS outcomes, specify high-performance glazing, seal air leaks and include solar where feasible. These are not only selling points, they also lower ongoing costs for the eventual owner.
4) Choose flooring that carries through the whole story
Continuity underfoot makes a home feel larger and more resolved. Engineered timber or quality hybrid flooring suits Australian conditions and cleaning routines, and it photographs well. Experts repeatedly note flooring as a first-impression item that can set the tone for an inspection.
Experienced residential interior designers know that flow, comfort and visual consistency influence guest experience and perception of quality.
5) Get storage and joinery right the first time
Poor storage quickly becomes a price-cutting negotiation, be it for homes or shops. Add tall pantry space, proper linen cupboards and robe fit-outs with drawers and hanging zones, not just a single shelf and rail. Home-office nooks with integrated joinery are widely requested, and they don’t need much floor area to add perceived value. These details help a new build feel complete rather than “builder-basic”.
6) Design for quiet and comfort
Acoustic comfort rarely makes the brochure, yet it’s noticed during inspections, especially in townhouses and apartments. Use carpet with quality underlay to soften bedroom noise, add door seals, and consider acoustic plasterboard to shared walls or between living and sleeping zones. Buyers may not name the products, but they recognise a calm interior. Leading hospitality interior designers also implement the same approach.
Specification tactics that protect your margin
Spend where hands, feet and eyes land. Door hardware, kitchen mixers, shower rails and switches are the touchpoints buyers notice. Prioritise known brands with solid warranties, especially for appliances, which are often read as a proxy for the home’s overall quality.
Favour timeless over trend-chasing. Neutral, layered schemes with one or two material highlights tend to age better than bold, one-season looks. Experts often advise restraint for pre-sale work for exactly this reason.
Document the value. Provide a simple features sheet at open homes: NatHERS rating, insulation R-values, glazing spec, appliance energy ratings and solar size. Studies show that when buyers can verify performance, they are more likely to pay for it.
Also Read: Why Beauty Matters: A Case for Interior Designing
Common traps to avoid
Over-personalised finishes, removing parking to create living space, or building structures that crowd the yard can alienate buyers and drag on resale price. Keep the plan balanced and the site liveable.
Who should help?
A capable builder partnered with an interior professional can streamline selections and keep the scheme coherent. If you’re short on time, shortlisting the best interior designers in Sydney like Al and Co Haus of Design can pay for itself by avoiding missteps and specifying durable, widely appealing finishes.
Bottom line
Design for broad appeal, low running costs and a quietly premium feel. Flexible planning, honest materials, efficient services and tidy street presence tend to deliver the best return for new-build investors. That mix attracts more buyers, reduces objections at inspection and, in the right market, supports a higher final figure.