For many people looking to purchase a new home now, going with a fixer upper is going to be the best way for them to get their money’s worth. However, for those home buyers that don’t have much or any experience with home renovation, it can be hard to know what you’re really getting yourself into when you go to purchase a fixer upper.
So to help ensure that you’re not biting off more than you can chew here, here are three signs that a home is too much of a fixer upper for you.
Big Issues With The Foundational Elements
Ideally, you should try to only take on a fixer upper that has mainly cosmetic issues that you’ll be having to deal with. In situations like this, you’ll likely be able to live in the house while you’re making changes without putting yourself or the home in danger of being unsafe.
On the other hand, if you’re considering buying a home that has any foundational elements that will need to be worked on, like the foundation of the structure or the roof, you might want to think twice before making an offer. While these things can be fixed so that the house is safe and sound, these types of issues can be incredibly expensive to repair and can cause other big issues that you’ll wind up having to address as well.
Signs Of Excessive Moisture Control Issues
As you’re walking through the fixer upper that you’re thinking about buying, keep your nose out for smells that might alert you to there being excessive moisture in the home.
While small amounts of moisture can be dealt with, if the home has had a lot of issues with moisture in the past, there’s a good chance that it could also have some big mold problems as well. So if you see signs of water damage or notice that the whole place just smells a little musty, this could be an indication that there are bigger problems than what you may be willing to take on.
Old Plumbing And Electrical
For most people, any issues with plumbing and electrical should only be handled by a professional. But if you notice that there are big problems with plumbing and electrical, or that these elements of the house are old and outdated, getting these things repaired and up to code can be a huge job. So unless you know someone who can take this on for you, you may not want to buy a home that needs this kind of work.
If you’re in the market for a fixer upper but you’re worried about getting a home that’s more work than you can handle, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you know when you might be in over your head.
