If you’ve inherited a property that you’re thinking about selling to someone else, you may have a lot of work to do before it’s ready for the real estate market.
After looking over the home, you may have some ideas about the changes you’d make if you were living there. But how do you make those kinds of upgrades for a potential buyer or a relative who wants to live in the house?
Here’s what to expect when restoring a home for another family.
What Should I Do When Restoring a Home for Another Family?
When you get involved with a house renovation project, you’re taking on a huge responsibility. When someone else is going to live in the home, there’s some added pressure. You are obligated to honor the house’s past, make it function in the present, and think about its future potential.
Come to Terms With Commitment
You need a team of professionals to assist in a home renovation. A professional contractor can assess the amount of work it will take to restore the home and give you an estimate of how much the list of updates will cost. A home inspector will be able to detect safety issues, code violations, and other potential hazards that need to be addressed.
If you’re renovating an older home, you may consider relying on a historic preservation expert as a consultant. They can offer advice on how to move through the restoration process and still maintain the integrity of the home.
No matter who you enlist to help, you should make sure everyone understands the goal of your project from the start. You must be clear about what elements you’re trying to preserve and what components are cleared for demolition.
Start With Bones Over Beauty
You might be tempted to start changing out cabinet hardware or replacing outdated ceiling fans right away. However, you need to complete a list of practical jobs before you even think about dealing with the aesthetics.
This is where your inspector will come in handy. They can investigate serious matters that should be handled first. Are there issues with water damage? Does the chimney need work? Is there a problem with the foundation? What about faulty wiring?
Picking out new kitchen appliances and applying a fresh coat of paint can wait. The order of tasks on a typical home remodel timeline may look something like this:
- Planning
- Demolition
- HVAC, electrical, & plumbing
- Framing & drywall
- Painting
- Cabinets & fixtures
- Doors & windows
- Clean house & air vents
- Flooring
- Trim & finish work
As you can see, painting doesn’t come into the picture until halfway through the project. You have to make sure the house functions properly before you make it pretty.
Modernize and Preserve History
Updating the heating and cooling unit, as well as the electrical system, may be necessary not only for safety concerns, but also for modern convenience. However, with technology such as split systems, smaller units can be placed in the attic and basement to cover the home without damaging the historical aspects.
You should keep in mind that it’s better to restore than replace. Refinishing old hardwood floors that were covered by carpet can bring a lot of character into a home as well as save money on new flooring. On the other hand, if the stove is from the 1970s, the new owner would probably appreciate it if you purchased a new one.
Think About the Home’s Future
When you’re determining the budget for your house restoration project, you need to consider the home’s resale value. You should do some research on other renovations in the area and find out what those homes sold for. You must be smart about your investment. You don’t want to put more money into the home than you’re going to get back in a sale.
When you’re restoring a home, most of your decisions should be based on timelessness, not trends. If you only focus on the present in terms of aesthetics, the look will probably be outdated again in several years. You need to embrace the character and uniqueness of the home and do your best to highlight and preserve those features for the next owner. It is possible to mix the past, present, and future.
What to Expect When Restoring a Home for Someone Else
Now you know what to expect during the process of restoring a home for another family.
Tackling a house renovation is a huge undertaking. But when you focus on preserving history, modernizing functionality, and being mindful of what’s to come, potential buyers will be happy with the turnout.
If you don’t think you have the time, money, and energy to spend on such a big project, New Again Houses® will buy your outdated home in its current condition and beautifully restore it for future families to enjoy. Contact us about selling your home fast!