Is a fixer-upper for you?

·         Do you like to take on new projects?

·         Do you have a vision of just how something should look?

·         Are you creative, hands-on, or handy?

·         Are you patient?

·         Are you a team player?

If you answered yes to 3 or more of these questions then perhaps you should buy a fixer-upper. But, before you decide for certain read on to see whether or not a fixer-upper is really for you. If not, go find yourself a pretty turn-key!

What to expect

A fixer-upper can be a great way to get into a larger house or a better neighborhood  Before you open the door and walk down the long and winding road of home renovations you’ll need to figure out a few things. You should take into consideration whether you will be planning to live on or off premises. It’s more economical to live on premises, but for those homes undergoing extensive remodels, this may be unpleasant or not even an option. If you do choose to live on the premises you will have to be prepared to live with dust and your home could be a construction zone for well up to a year or beyond.

Figure out a budget

The money you save on a house will go into the renovations. There are cost-effective ways to save money but you never want to do anything on the cheap and sacrifice quality. As with any major purchase, get the best that you can afford. Saving a few dollars here and there won’t amount to any great savings and may give you more of a headache than satisfaction. Make a budget and stick to it.

Expect the unexpected

Things go wrong. Expect some setbacks and don’t be shocked by the major ones.

In older homes, you may find that sizes for today’s items, such as appliances, plumbing, electrical items, may be quite different from what you have room to work with. Adjustments will need to be made which will add to your overall renovation times and costs. You may discover that you need to fix something you had no idea was broken or installed improperly.

 Have an inspection

Have your home inspected before you purchase and be sure to tell the inspector that you will be renovating the home.  A home inspection will set your mind at ease and let you know that your investment is indeed a sound one. Or it will give the opportunity to back out and run away.

https://freshome.com/2013/11/14/shouldnt-buy-fixer-upper