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AI helps make renovated homes more attractive

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AI helps make renovated homes more attractive

The number of thorough renovations and sales of homes in need of renovation is in decline. In 2024, 26,428 permits for home renovations were issued in our country, four percent less than in 2023. In Flanders, there was even a ten percent decline in January. Nevertheless, the number of renovations urgently needs to increase in order to achieve climate targets and make our housing stock more energy efficient. Factors such as high costs, uncertainty about the overall picture, and a sluggish permit process certainly play a role in this. But according to Sophie Spriet of real estate group Dewaele, there is something else going on: “Many prospective buyers find it difficult to see beyond the current state of a home. They mainly see the flaws and not the potential.”

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Gaining inspiration virtually

To give buyers a helping hand, Dewaele has recently started using AI. With a free tool, they show what a space could look like in different styles, from industrial and rustic to Japandi or even a princess- or safari-themed children's room. They start with a photo of the existing situation and generate a new image that provides inspiration. “We hope this will encourage people to give ready-made homes a chance. It's a tool to dream about what's possible,” says Spriet. HLN real estate expert Bjorn Cocquyt sees this as a positive development: "Many outdated homes don't sell because the photos are often off-putting. Yet such homes are usually competitively priced and the renovation costs are sometimes lower than expected."

 

No substitute for reality and advice

Nevertheless, Cocquyt warns against excessive optimism. "AI visualizations are not an exact reflection of reality. Sometimes a wall is simply removed in the simulation, when in reality it is a load-bearing wall. Or a small kitchen suddenly appears much more spacious with an island added, when this is not possible from an architectural or urban planning perspective. So don't be blinded by pretty pictures and always check your plans with a contractor, architect, or the municipality." The price tag must also be clear in advance. Dewaele works with Setle, a tool that estimates the cost of renovation based on parameters such as the number of windows or electrical outlets. Banks even use this calculation as the basis for renovation loans.

AI as a fixture in the real estate sector

AI has become an integral part of real estate. Real estate agents use it for virtual tours, price analyses, chatbots, and writing promotional texts. For renovations, AI mainly provides inspiration, but it remains essential to keep your feet on the ground. “Ultimately, it's about buyers seeing what's possible and then making well-informed choices for a sustainable and affordable renovation,” concludes Spriet.


Het Laatste Nieuws (2025).Hoe AI renovatie-woningen aantrekkelijker kan maken, al is voorzichtigheid geboden,voorzichtige ontwikkelaars, CIB Community. Geraadpleegd op 3 juli 2025.

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