How to pick the right home renovation project

Whether you are hoping to buy and flip a property or just want a really good deal on your dream home, dream home renovation projects can quickly turn into nightmares. So, how exactly are you supposed to find the right house for the job? Whether your goal is to make a lot of money or to make it a space you love, here is what you need to know about picking the right home for your renovation project.

Picking something you love

The first thing you need to do is find a place that you love. You can’t change everything about a home, so you need to be careful about which property you buy. Here are some things you want to consider:

• Location: You can’t change the location of the property, so you will want to choose the right place first. It is alway a good idea to pick a location in up and coming areas if you want to get a good deal. It also helps if the area is low in crime and has good schools, since that’s something people look for in housing.
• Curb appeal: While you can make updates to a home to change the curb appeal, the basic bones of the front of the house can’t be changed very easily, and it can get expensive very quickly. Pick a home that you love on the outside, so you can save a bit of money in remodeling costs.
• Floor plan: Pick a floor plan you love. While you can technically knock out walls to move rooms around, it is usually a nightmare, especially if you don’t already know where the load-bearing walls are. It is much easier to remodel what is already there than to completely change the place.

Property warning signs

While you can always renovate homes to your personal style or use things such as baseboard heater covers to cover up things you don’t necessarily think look pretty, there are definitely some things you want to avoid in your remodel project. This might include mold or termites. Here are some warning signs to look for when choosing a home:

• Basement damage: The basement is the part of the home that usually gives you the best idea of what is happening. Look for mold or a musty smell, and avoid homes that have large cracks in the basement concrete or signs of water damage.
• Roofing: Inspect the roof to make sure there isn’t a lot of damage. Replacing a roof can be extremely expensive, and it is a big warning sign if the roof is cracked, curled, or missing shingles.
• Bad plumbing/wiring: Take a look at the plumbing or wiring. Does it seem like everything is updated? Replacing those things is also very expensive because you have to get into all the walls. Older homes often have this problem, so make sure you take a look and know what you are in for before finalizing the purchase.
• Lead paint: Older homes used lead paint (older than 1978), which means remodeling your home can put hazardous material into the air which could harm your family. Removal of this and other hazardous materials in your home can be very expensive as well, so it is best to avoid whenever possible.

---

Also in EZ Snap Covers Blog