Are home renovations actually an investment, or just an expensive way to make your house nicer to live in?In this Ask the Experts mailbag episode, it’s time to answer the question many are scared of: have I overcapitalised my home?Which renovations genuinely add value, and which ones don’t?Is your own home an investment, or a lifestyle choice?And if you’ve already spent the money, should you even consider an investment property?To break it all down, I’m joined by Vanessa Williams from http://realestate.co.nz who brings the data on what actually moves house prices in New Zealand: from extra bedrooms and bathrooms, to the renovation traps that don’t stack up financially.We cover:– When renovations can increase resale value, and when they won’t– The real difference between lifestyle upgrades and wealth-building moves– How to tell if you’ve overcapitalised (and what to do if you have)– Whether using home equity to invest in property is still an option– How to think about your home versus a true investment propertyIf you have a letter you’d like us to answer, please send it through to [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) and you might feature on our next episode!Follow me everywhere!Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/FrancesCookNZInstagram / https://www.instagram.com/francescooknzTikTok / https://www.tiktok.com/@francescooknzJoin the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week https://www.francescook.co.nz/subscribeThis podcast was filmed & produced by FanaticalsVideo editing & content production by Lana ByrneAudio engineering by Tash Chittock#MakingCents #FrancesCook #NewZealandProperty #PropertyMarket #PropertyInvestment #HomeRenovation #RenovationROI #Overcapitalising #HomeEquity #InvestmentProperty #FirstHomeBuyer #DIYRenovation #PropertyValuationChapters00:00:00 Introduction00:01:14 Listener letter: renovated but worried about overcapitalizing00:02:18 What renovations actually add value vs lifestyle upgrades00:03:30 The data: how much value each bedroom adds00:05:28 Kitchens and decks: investment or lifestyle choice?00:06:46 How to know if you've overcapitalised00:08:48 Is your home an investment? The debate00:12:25 Using home equity to buy an investment property00:14:57 Next steps: gathering information and exploring options00:17:28 Outro