What to Consider When Buying a Fixer-Upper
In your imagination, it seems like a great idea- you purchase an older "run-down" Louisville property and you have the opportunity to fix it up and make it the home of your dreams. However, the renovation project that is simply a quick montage in your mind will actually take several months or years and thousands of dollars in reality. The concept of renovating a "fixer-upper" property is exciting, but the reality is a lot of work and investment. How can you make sure that your are making the right choice for you?
One of the main advantages of buying a fixer-upper property is that you will usually be able to get the property for a much cheaper price. But, is it worth it for the amount of time and money you will need to invest in the property?
Here are some questions you should be asking yourself when making your decision:
1. Do you (or friends and family) have the skills to be able to perform most of the renovations yourself? If you do the labor yourself, you will be able to save thousands of dollars that you would have spent hiring contractors, which will make the renovation a much more profitable project.
2. Are you comfortable with the idea of living in a construction zone, perhaps for several months or more? There will be dust and noise everywhere and you may have to cope without a kitchen or a shower for a while.
3. Make sure that you have a thorough inspection of the home performed so that you can see whether the home has a sturdy foundation, good wiring and plumbing, etc. If your inspection reveals any structural issues or water damage, you might be in for more than you bargained for. You need to start with a house that has "good bones".
4. If the home has serious structural, plumbing or wiring problems, you should stay away- these repairs are very expensive but "invisible", so you are unlikely to recoup your costs when you sell the home.
5. Add up the estimated costs for renovating the property along with the cost of the home- does it still work out to be a better deal or would you be better off buying a new property?
6. What is your strategy for financing the renovations? If your only option is putting it on the credit card, you may want to think twice because this is a very high interest option.
Buying a fixer-upper property in Louisville can be a great investment and can give you the opportunity to transform a run-down, old house into the property you've always wanted. However, make sure that you consider the choice carefully before making your final decision.