Tag Archives: fixer upper

Sep9

Important Steps When Updating An Old Property

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Important Steps When Updating An Old Property

When you’re faced with an older property to renovate, the challenges presented can put a lot of homeowners off from purchasing it in the first place. However, there are some of us out there that love a challenge, and an old property certainly gives you it in abundance.

An older property should be approached carefully and will often be more costly than the average renovation. Whether you’re updating one room or multiple, there’s a right way to go about it in order to get the most out of your investment. Let’s look at the important steps you need to take in order to update an old property successfully:

How much is typically spent on renovating a property?

According to Rocket Mortgage, the average house renovation can cost anywhere between $15,000 to a whopping $200,000. Of course, not everyone has this type of cash just sitting in their bank account, which means you often need to be realistic about what you can afford.

Depending on the skills you possess, there are some jobs that you can likely do yourself, whilst others will require a professional hand. Before you start hammering down walls or stripping fixtures away from ceilings, it’s important to have planned and prepared the project properly. How much are you thinking of spending on the project and what’s required from the renovation?

Let’s look at some of the most crucial steps for updating an older property:

Install new windows:

To brighten up the appearance when it comes to your home’s exterior, new windows are a great way to update its look. There are plenty of companies out there who will be more than willing to help knock out the old windows and replace them with eco-efficient, high-performance alternatives including this one here.

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^^^ Unsplash Image

Typically, you’d expect to pay around $600 for a window but this can vary from $200-$1,200.

Assess any other structural work that needs doing:

Structural work is something that should be undertaken before you make any cosmetic changes to your property. There may be certain issues within the walls, floors, and ceilings of the property that need fixing. Wouldn’t it be frustrating to spend all that money and do all that work only to find that there’s a serious structural issue that means you need to rip everything out and start again? By doing the assessments and getting the professionals in to take a closer look at the integrity of the property, the more problems you can avoid further down the line.

Focus your attention room by room:

When it comes to your focus, make sure it’s spent on tackling each room individually, rather than all at once. Unless you can afford to move out of the property and spend the money to do everything at once, it’s both a more pleasurable experience and a less stressful one to do it in separate chunks. Not only that but it means your attention isn’t spread too thinly, which ultimately helps avoid mistakes.

Replace outdated fixtures and fittings:

With your fixtures and fittings, it’s important to replace these in order to provide your home with a blank canvas. For example, the lighting found in most old homes is likely very outdated and unless you want to refurbish some of them due to their vintage appearance, it’s good to replace them.

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^^^ Unsplash Image

Upgrade your heating system:

Upgrading your heating system is a must, especially as a lot of the old properties back in the day would run on the most basic of heating systems. There has been a considerable amount of development in central heating systems. This can be a costly expense, but it’s something you should definitely consider, along with air conditioning units.

Do a check of the roof and guttering:

Your roofing and guttering protect your home from water damage so any compromises in these structures can cause a lot of costly damage. With that said, get the professionals in to do a check of the roof and guttering when possible.

Upgrading old properties can be extremely gratifying, so with this in mind, enjoy the process of creating your dream home!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

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Jun27

Renovating Your Fixer Upper

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Renovating Your Fixer Upper

If you just got an amazing deal on a new house, then it may be because you invested in a bit of a fixer upper. This is absolutely fine if you are going to spend time putting your own personal stamp on it. Renovating a fixer-upper can take time, a lot of funding, and effort so you will need to figure out your budget. Find out how much you have available for the renovation and then you can make a list of which rooms and tasks to do first. Take a look below for some inspiration:

Bedrooms:

First of all, you might want to do the bedrooms. This is essential, especially if you have children. They will need somewhere to sleep in their new home, preferably before you move in if this is a possibility. If not, then they may have fun getting involved in creating their new space. Talk to them about the type of design they want to go for and what they want on the walls. If you are sorting your own bedroom out, then you need to think about the same things. You want to create the ultimate safe haven where you can chill out at the end of a hard day.

Kitchen:

If you want to create a dream kitchen, then it may take a huge chunk out of your budget. If you have planned for this then that’s great. You could take a look around kitchen showrooms to find your perfect kitchen. You can also look online for some ideas on what you want it to look like. The kitchen is the heart of the home and somewhere you may be hosting lots of dinner parties and guests. If you want to amaze your guests, try adding in some smart tech such as a smart fridge or kettle.

Walls:

Think about how you want the walls in your home to look. Do you want to use paint, wallpaper, or a combination of both? If you take a visit to your local hardware store, then they will have all of the options available to you. You may even be able to get your hands on some samples to try before you buy. It is well worth trying samples, you may know what color you want but if it doesn’t look right on the walls then it will be a waste of money. Don’t forget that all of the walls will be different so create a plan for this.

Garden:

Finally, your new home’s garden might have seen better days. Never fear, the garden might be the easiest thing to renovate and fix up. If you want a proper family garden, then it may be worth adding in some beautiful, colorful flower beds. These look lovely around the perimeter of a garden. You could also add a wild section to encourage bees and other wildlife to explore and nest there. If you have children, you could add some play equipment as well, such as a swing set or outdoor game section.

Fixer uppers are a huge project but will be oh so worth it once your renovations are complete. Remember that your budget will be one of the most important factors in this and to always leave wiggle room for unexpected costs!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jan7

The Most Common Damages You’ll Find In A Fixer Upper   

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The Most Common Damages You’ll Find In A Fixer Upper   

Have you just bought your first property? Or maybe you’re about to begin your own house flipping business? Well, there’s a very good chance that you’re going to start with a ‘fixer upper’ in either of these scenarios. You offset the price discount of the property with the amount of work it needs, and you can even get specialized mortgages to help with the repair work – what could be better for your budget?

However, it’s important to note that fixer upper properties often need more work than you realize. All sorts of damage can be found within these structures and knowing what you’re looking at is crucial. This post is here to help you identify some of these issues:

Problems with the Wiring:

Wiring problems are very common in fixer uppers. Wires may be chewed through and potentially even sparking without your knowledge. If you can smell a musty and/or ‘fishy’ smell within the property, it could be a sign. You’re going to need to rip them out to be sure it’s safe, so your best bet is to simply replace as much of the electricals as you can.

Signs of Water Damage:

Because the house has likely sat for a long time completely unprotected, water is sure to have made its way in, whether from a burst pipe nearby or the weather. The signs of water damage could be extensive, and you may have to call in a professional Water Damage Restoration team to take care of the problem for you. Signs of water damage tend to include dark spots, flaking or bubbling paint/wallpaper, and random puddles throughout the property.

Holes in the Roof:

Roofing on a fixer upper is usually touch and go. As such, you should think about getting a proper, stabilized ladder out and checking what’s going on up there. Similarly, if there’s an attic space within the house, be sure to investigate it as well. If you can see right through to the outside, there’s clearly an issue! You may also feel very cold when you’re in the house, hear tiles slipping during your renovation efforts, and even notice leaks coming from the upstairs ceiling.

Faulty Plumbing:

Finally, the amount of burst and broken pipes to be found in a fixer upper can be shocking! Make sure you go around each room, specifically the kitchen and bathroom(s) and pay special attention to how the pipes are laid out. If they’re just rusting, you can save the pipe itself just fine. However, you may have to pull out cupboards, sinks, and the toilet to be double sure about the state of the plumbing in total.

If you own a fixer upper, be prepared for a lot of work in your future to get your house to livable standards!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Sep9

Buying A Fixer-Upper? Fix These Essentials First!   

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Buying A Fixer-Upper? Fix These Essentials First!   

For some people, one of the low-cost ways into becoming a home owner is by purchasing a property that needs some remodeling: a “fixer-upper”. As you can appreciate, such houses are cheap because they often need extensive repairs and updates to become habitable again. You’re probably thinking of buying a fixer-upper as your first property project. If that’s the case, make sure you fix these essential items first:

Roof:

The first thing you need to do is have the roof inspected. If there are broken or missing roof tiles, for example, rainwater can cause a lot of damage to internal ceilings and walls. You may need some minor repairs or it might transpire that you need a new roof. The only way you will know whether the roof is okay or not and the extent of any required repairs is by having a professional go up and inspect everything.

Plumbing:

The roof isn’t the only part of your fixer-upper that you need to check and repair. You’ll also need to find out whether there are any issues with the plumbing in your property. Do any water pipes leak, especially near faucets or underneath wooden flooring? Are the waste pipes intact and clear of obstructions from the bathroom and kitchen? What about the pipes going to heating radiators and the radiators themselves?

You’ll also need to check that the main water can enter without any problem and, similarly, that wastewater goes to sewage pipes without any blockages, leaks, or other issues.

Heating System:

Whether you plan to live in the house or want to fix it and sell it for profit, you need to make sure that the heating system in the property is working. For example, you’ll need a heating engineer or plumber to check that your furnace is operating as expected. If the house has a combined HVAC system, you’ll need an expert to check that it’s fully operational. In an old, dilapidated home, it’s probably cheaper to have a new HVAC system installed instead of trying to fix the existing one.

Electrical Wiring:

The trouble with electrical wiring, irrespective of whether it gets fitted to a domestic or commercial property, is that it degrades over time. The plastic insulation on wires can break down or even melt in some cases. Old switches and sockets can be challenging to operate and might easily break due to their age. If you doubt that the electrical wiring in your fixer-upper isn’t safe and reliable, you need to have an electrician inspect all of the wiring, switches, and sockets.

Again, it can sometimes be more cost-effective to have an upgrade instead of trying to repair what’s already in place. Note that you may need to plaster walls and ceilings if you have a full rewire at your property.

Windows and Doors:

Lastly, you want to ensure that the house you are buying keeps warm air inside and cold air outdoors. Plus, you want it to be safe and secure when there is no one at home. With that in mind, you should check if the windows and doors need repairing or replacing.

Once you’ve completed the above essential checks and repairs, you can then concentrate on other areas like decorating. Good luck!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Feb20

The 411 On Fixer-Upper Properties

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The 411 On Fixer-Upper Properties

Thanks to all of those fabulous DIY shows on TV that take old wrecks of houses and turn them into incredible homes, you may be considering investing in a property that’s a fixer upper if you’re thinking of buying a house. These shows have made the concept of investing in a fixer-upper home seem incredibly interesting and a great way to cut costs, too, but the truth is, that’s not always the case.

You see, it depends on the property that you pick and how much work it needs done to it. Pick the wrong property, and it can mean spending a lot of money on it without getting any financial rewards in return, such as a high property value. Now, don’t get us wrong, there’s nothing wrong with investing in a fixer-upper property, you just need to be clear about what it actually involves, that’s all. With that in mind, below are a few things you should know before investing in a fixer-upper property:

You Need to Know What You’re Doing: First things first, when it comes to investing in a fixer-upper property, you need to know what you’re getting yourself into. You need to ask yourself, do you really have the time, money, and patience for a fixer upper property? Fixer upper properties can take a lot of time, effort, and money to turn into livable spaces and it’s important to realize that. Yes, a fixer-upper can be a great project to work on, but it’s important not to make the mistake of underestimating just how much work it will be.

You Won’t Be Able to Do It Alone: Unless you’re a highly skilled contractor who specializes in all parts of construction, the chances are that you’re not going to be able to do it alone. So as well as putting money aside for materials for repairs and updates, you will need to put funds aside for any help that you will need, such as a roofer to deal with the roofing and gutters, a plumber to fix any broken pipes, an electrician to deal with the wiring – you get the idea. Before using a contractor of any type, make sure to check their credentials and to get a quote so that you know how much to expect in terms of charges.

They Have the Potential to Be Beautiful: When it comes to fixer upper properties, it’s important to realize that they have the potential to be really beautiful places, just like you see on TV shows like Grand Designs. The fantastic thing about a fixer upper property is that you can pretty much start again and create a home that’s whatever you want it to be. Whether you want a home that’s wonderfully eco-friendly or that has a unique design, you can make that happen with a fixer upper property because it’s yours to shape however you like.

Fixer upper properties can be a great option when it comes to finding a new home; they can give you the ability to shape your home to be just as you always imagined it would be. However, it’s important to realize that there’s a lot more to taking on a fixer-upper property than meets the eye as well as what’s seen on TV, and you need to be prepared for that.

Featured Image By: Flickr