Making Money On A Fixer-Upper

By Marcus Sterdenn


There is a lot to think about when purchasing a home. There is a lot to keep in mind, especially since this is considered the single most important purchase in the lives of most people. Is a big yard something that is important to you? Near great schools? Decisions like these need to be made, but then you need to consider if you want a home that is older, or one that is more modern.

Newer and older homes have their own negative and positive attributes. A new home has got clean carpet, fresh paint, its move-in ready and has that new house smell. One big negative of a new home is that the price is often quite high.

As for fixer-uppers, they are generally old. People have lived there and used the home for a long time. Homes like this usually come along with some remodelling or repairs, but they have the advantage of having unique characteristics.

From shag carpet to outdated kitchen cabinets, these homes might seem like a mess. The positive way to look at it is that you have the chance to add your own personal touch to the home. A fixer-upper home is usually less costly, and the square footage is typically more than what a newer home has to offer. Keep in mind that these homes will require you to put in significant labor - don't underestimate what it will take to complete.

If you are looking at buying a fixer-upper, consider the following steps:

Take the time to do the research that is needed to get a full understanding of how much labor the home will require. It won't take you much time to put a fresh coat of paint on the home or to replace the carpet, and the price for these is low considering the overall price of the home. However, when there are significant problems with the foundation or the plumbing in the home, it could me many thousands of dollars to complete.

The structure of the house should be sound in order to make it a worthwhile investment. Steer clear of houses with structural damage, water damage, pests, and outdated wiring or plumbing. These problems can cost you.

Keep a checklist while you are looking at homes, so that you can keep track of what repairs need to be done, and can calculate insurance prices. You will be required by your lender when buying a home to also purchase homeowners insurance.

In most cases, it will be more costly to insure an older home. Home insurance carriers pay special attention to the age of the roof, electrical and plumbing fixtures, and heating and air conditioning systems. For good reason:

Structural weakness and leaks are more likely to occur in an older roof. Leaks are also more likely to happen with older plumbing, which can result in further water damage to your home. Older electrical systems that use ungrounded power outlets and fuse boxes especially carry a significant fire hazard.

If you are interested in a home with a higher risk problem, it's a good idea to call and get an idea of your home insurance premiums. Insurance premiums and the cost of the renovations need to be factored into your overall budget, so consider this carefully. Another thing to consider: Once you renovate the home, the risk will be lower but the replacement value will be higher. Don't forget to talk to your insurance agent about the renovations you're planning in order to maintain the level of insurance that you require.

If you think you've found the perfect house, don't rush into it and never put in an offer on an older house without out making it conditional on a home inspection. A home inspector will be able to see damage that is concealed or otherwise hard to find, and this will protect you from moving in and then finding that the structural damage to your home is severe because of termites or something else that you didn't notice yourself.




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siege auto
By Marcus Sterdenn


There is a lot to think about when purchasing a home. There is a lot to keep in mind, especially since this is considered the single most important purchase in the lives of most people. Is a big yard something that is important to you? Near great schools? Decisions like these need to be made, but then you need to consider if you want a home that is older, or one that is more modern.

Newer and older homes have their own negative and positive attributes. A new home has got clean carpet, fresh paint, its move-in ready and has that new house smell. One big negative of a new home is that the price is often quite high.

As for fixer-uppers, they are generally old. People have lived there and used the home for a long time. Homes like this usually come along with some remodelling or repairs, but they have the advantage of having unique characteristics.

From shag carpet to outdated kitchen cabinets, these homes might seem like a mess. The positive way to look at it is that you have the chance to add your own personal touch to the home. A fixer-upper home is usually less costly, and the square footage is typically more than what a newer home has to offer. Keep in mind that these homes will require you to put in significant labor - don't underestimate what it will take to complete.

If you are looking at buying a fixer-upper, consider the following steps:

Take the time to do the research that is needed to get a full understanding of how much labor the home will require. It won't take you much time to put a fresh coat of paint on the home or to replace the carpet, and the price for these is low considering the overall price of the home. However, when there are significant problems with the foundation or the plumbing in the home, it could me many thousands of dollars to complete.

The structure of the house should be sound in order to make it a worthwhile investment. Steer clear of houses with structural damage, water damage, pests, and outdated wiring or plumbing. These problems can cost you.

Keep a checklist while you are looking at homes, so that you can keep track of what repairs need to be done, and can calculate insurance prices. You will be required by your lender when buying a home to also purchase homeowners insurance.

In most cases, it will be more costly to insure an older home. Home insurance carriers pay special attention to the age of the roof, electrical and plumbing fixtures, and heating and air conditioning systems. For good reason:

Structural weakness and leaks are more likely to occur in an older roof. Leaks are also more likely to happen with older plumbing, which can result in further water damage to your home. Older electrical systems that use ungrounded power outlets and fuse boxes especially carry a significant fire hazard.

If you are interested in a home with a higher risk problem, it's a good idea to call and get an idea of your home insurance premiums. Insurance premiums and the cost of the renovations need to be factored into your overall budget, so consider this carefully. Another thing to consider: Once you renovate the home, the risk will be lower but the replacement value will be higher. Don't forget to talk to your insurance agent about the renovations you're planning in order to maintain the level of insurance that you require.

If you think you've found the perfect house, don't rush into it and never put in an offer on an older house without out making it conditional on a home inspection. A home inspector will be able to see damage that is concealed or otherwise hard to find, and this will protect you from moving in and then finding that the structural damage to your home is severe because of termites or something else that you didn't notice yourself.




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