Did you know that people spent more than $420 billion on home renovations in the United States in 2020?
With the housing market getting so competitive, many people are opting to buy older houses and invest in renovating them.
If you recently bought a property and want to bring it to life, there are a few things to consider.
Keep reading to discover the basics of getting the most out of your fixer-upper home!
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Check the Floors
One of the first places to start on your fixer-upper home is beneath your feet.
Instead of swapping out the carpet or laying laminate tiles on top, you should check below. During the 19th century, homeowners filled their homes with carpeting and covered up their beautiful wood floors. Take a look at the layers below before you start changing your floors.
If some of the wood is deteriorating, you can sand it down or replace the boards. While you’re looking for fixer upper homes for sale, inquire about the year the house was built and previous flooring.
Be Cautious With Plumbing
Clawfoot tubs, bronze fixtures, and original plumbing may have swayed you to buy a home, but you should always be cautious.
You might think you’re dealing with a simple fix, only to discover that the hardware on your tub or toilets is original. Victorian homes often include older styles of plumbing that you’ll need to hire an expert for.
Swapping pieces out for a new upgrade could cause leaking. Make sure you turn off your water when you repair plumbing and always confirm the accuracy of your hardware sizes.
Once the leaks and issues are addressed, you can polish your bronze fixtures and let them shine.
Expect the Unexpected
Hold off on celebrating until the upgrades have been made.
Many people make the mistake of budgeting for their renovations based on the quotes they recieve from contractors. Although these quotes are typically accurate, they can prevent you from saving enough for the unexpected. It’s common for larger issues to get uncovered as other pieces get torn out.
Try not to get discouraged when these setbacks occur. You can set a reasonable budget and get financial assistance if the project becomes too expensive. Banks are willing to give loans to people that need to improve their homes.
Keep in mind that as unexpected issues come up, your timeline must get adjusted. It may take additional time, but taking care of these problems now can save you a lot of money in the future.
Prioritize Your Home
Since fixer-upper homes aren’t always ready to be moved into, you must prioritize.
Prioritizing the most important rooms will help you move into the house faster. If you focus on the less important tasks and rooms, they will delay you from finishing the critical spaces. Bathrooms, kitchens, and bedrooms should always be at the top of your list.
If you find yourself focusing on a less critical room, take notes of your plans and get back on track with what’s most essential. Delaying renovations in these key rooms can leave you without a place to cook, shower, or sleep.
Aside from the rooms, you can also prioritize the significance of damage. For example, if the roof is leaking or the doors won’t lock, these issues should get addressed immediately.
Preserve Original Pieces
Depending on when your home was developed and what you’ve replaced, you may have a history in your home.
Old-style doorbells, original light fixtures, and moldings can impress potential buyers when you want to sell. Original pieces of wood, metal and stained glass give homes character and can increase their value. Before you paint over an old railing or switch doorknobs, do some research.
You might be surprised to learn about all of the unique features in your home. Many of the original layouts and features served a purpose that may no longer be necessary. If you want to freshen things up, buy a safe and gentle cleaner to shine metals and other surfaces.
Take Your Time
There’s a reason people prefer wine that’s been aged for decades versus something that was just produced.
Taking your time renovating your home will help you save the most money and get the best appearance. When projects get rushed, the quality of work is reduced and becomes noticeable when you’re walking down the halls. It’s also important to be patient and take your time to prevent structural damage from increasing.
As long as you’re adjusting your timeline and prioritizing projects, your move-in date shouldn’t get delayed.
Never Neglect the Exterior
The outside of your home is the first thing that you and your guests will see when they arrive.
Foreclosed and vacant homes are often neglected before a buyer shows interest. When you move in, don’t be surprised if you have a couple of days of dirty work to do. Cutting the grass, edging the lawn, and planting flowers can make a big difference in your fixer-upper’s appearance.
Small cosmetic upgrades can make your once-neglected home a bright and beautiful destination.
Make the Most of Your Fixer-Upper
Buying a fixer-upper can save you money but provide you with a wonderful foundation.
Instead of letting bad painting and damage deter you from buying a house, think about the possibilities and projects you’ll face. Don’t be surprised if you discover issues during the renovation, old plumbing and hardware can be vulnerable or hard to replace. With planning and paying attention to these details, you can turn your fixer-upper into paradise.
If you want to learn more about home upgrades and making the most of your money, read our blog for the latest info!