Purchasing a new home in this day and age can be very stressful. Not only is it a huge expense, but there are also many hoops you have to jump through in order to make it happen. In some cases, you may not be able to get approved for a large enough loan to buy the house of your dreams and may have to settle for something that needs a lot of work.
Or, you may just be an ambitious and crafty person who loves a good project and can see the possible potential in a house that others may think is too run down to bother with. Either way, here are a few things you should know before buying your own fixer-upper!
DIY As Much As Possible
Try doing things yourself as much as possible whenever you can to save yourself a lot of money. DIY-ing your home renovation may sound scary at first, especially if you’re a novice, but it can be a lot of fun and you will end up learning many new skills. You may impress yourself with how well you do. There is something really gratifying about getting down and dirty and putting in the hard work on your own. Plus, there is so much information online for just about any home project you are trying to do.Try going on Pinterest or watch YouTube videos for support and inspiration! Just leave more complicated stuff such as plumbing and electrical to the pros.
It’s Going To Take Longer Than You Think
One of the most common complaints among those who have taken on a fixer-upper as a project is that everything in the process usually ends up taking much longer than expected. If you plan for this you will be less likely to be surprised or upset by long timelines. Depending on the amount of work that needs to be done, whether you are doing it all yourself or hiring help, and how much work you plan on putting in each day, it could take several months to complete your renovations. Try to be patient and remember that the end result will be worth it!
It’s Addicting!
Once you fix up your first home from top to bottom, you may find yourself wanting to do it again. Many people renovate their homes only to realize that it’s actually their calling and they then buy run-down houses to fix up and flip. If you are good at it and enjoy it, it could become more than a hobby and may actually turn into a career for you if you want it to.
Buying a fixer-upper may seem like a big risk for some, but for a self-sufficient creative type like you it is the best decision. So now that you know the above, go for it!
