Buying a fixer-upper can be a great way to get a good house at a lower cost than you would pay otherwise. You can get into a good community association if that’s what you choose. Since homeowners paid over $88 billion toward community associations in assessments in 2016, you’ll want to be involved in one that you love. However, the tradeoff is that you’ll have to put work into it to make it a comfortable place to live. Between repairs and cleaning your home, there is a lot of work to do after you buy a fixer upper. These tasks can give you a good idea of where to start.
Roof Leaks
If your new home’s roof leaks, it is essential that you repair it as soon as possible. If rain and snow get into the house, it can lead to water damage. This leaves you at risk for mold and weakened structural integrity. Check your roof first and bring in someone to repair it properly. From there, you can move on to all of your other repairs.
HVAC System
Your HVAC system will be an important part of keeping your home comfortable and safe. Either replace or repair the system that is in place now, then make sure that you keep up with the maintenance. According to HomeAdvisor, your system should be maintained twice a year. You’ll want the heat checked for cold weather and the air conditioning for hot weather. Get your HVAC running properly as soon as you get into your home, then stay on top of it.
Outside Fixtures
The outside of your house is as important as the interior. Make sure that you fix things in the yard that could be safety hazards. This might include pouring new concrete on walkways and driveways. Plan your repairs accordingly. Once you pour fresh concrete, you can’t walk on it for 24 to 48 hours or drive on it for two weeks. Plan to do this during a time where you won’t need your driveway in order to do the rest of your repairs.
Lighting
If you’re buying a fixer-upper, the lighting inside probably has not been updated in a long time. When you’re cleaning your home for the first time, take note of the light fixtures. You’ll need to make sure that they’re working properly. Bring in an electrician for this, since only professionals should handle electrical repairs. But you can also use this opportunity to update your lighting to be something more modern and pleasant to you. Shop around and replace things like chandeliers, ceiling fans, and anything else that doesn’t fit your personal style.
Interior Paint
A new coat of paint can go a long way toward making your new home cleaner and more pleasant to be at. Take some time to paint your walls and ceilings before you get settled in. Paint can cover up any scratches or dents in the walls and make the house appear much nicer and more modern. Invest in good quality paints and consider bringing in a professional painting service to take care of it for you.
Buying a fixer-upper house has many benefits. You can get into the neighborhood you desire at a cheaper price point and you can personalize your house as soon as you arrive. However, it does require a lot of maintenance before it reaches a point where you have a safe and comfortable home. Before you begin cleaning your home and moving in, make sure that you take care of these important maintenance tasks. Once you have things like HVAC and electrical systems running properly, you’ll be in a good place to do everything else. You should also remember to find the best insurance companies for older homes, as you may be able to claim some of these changes on your insurance!
For more great homeownership advice, you can check out the rest of our articles!