ADVICE (2)

These home renovations tend to not pay back your investment.

photo credit: Jeremy Levine Design via photopin cc
photo credit: Jeremy Levine Design via photopin cc

Home investors have to walk a very thin line in their prospecting and repairing.  They want to find a home that others have ignored due to necessary repairs and updating.  However, they don’t want to waste money on improvements that simply look nice but fail to increase the home’s overall price.  Here are the top renovations that do not add much value to the home.

Grandiose Landscaping

Potential buyers will appreciate a well-kept lawn and may be somewhat attracted to a nice flower bed by the front door, but elaborate landscaping will not add to the home’s price.  Even worse, if the prospective buyer has no inclination to spend hours in the yard weeding, fertilizing and replanting then you may actually scare off a few buyers.  A simple lawn with low maintenance bushes are the best bet for most homes.

Pool

A new pool is extremely expensive and you may not recover even half of your investment when the property sells.  The average home buyer looks at the pool as a major expense and a potential problem in the form of injury or a lawsuit.  Some contracts in recent years have actually been structured to include filling in the pool with dirt and sod just to avoid potential problems.

Carpet throughout the Whole Home

It can be rather expensive to replace the carpet in an entire home.  Additionally, styles and preferences change over the course of time and homeowners may wish to have a more updated look in the home.  The need to replace a large amount of carpet sometime in the next 3-5 years would likely be daunting for most homeowners.  A better bet is to have hardwood and tile in the home.  They are easier to clean and most people appreciate the simple upkeep. Although the initial investment in hardwood or tile is more expensive, you are more likely to get a greater amount back when you sell the home.

More Home than the Rest of the Neighborhood

One of the fundamental basics of flipping homes is to search for a property that conforms to the neighborhood.  Never buy the absolute biggest home or the smallest home in the neighborhood.  They will be harder to sell.  Along the same thought process, never add more to a home that will make it vastly different from the neighborhood.  If all the properties on the street are single story homes then it makes no sense to tack on a double story addition.  Stick with the norm for the neighborhood in order to be able to move the property quickly.

Expensive Cosmetic Features

Some people like to brag about the Italian tile in the kitchen or the gold chandelier in the dining room when they are working on a remodel.  However, these expensive items add little to the value of the home.  It is better to make sure the home has plenty of lighting, has ample space and that the closets and cabinets are well organized.  Those expensive add-ons can be purchased by the next owner.

Basically, the best improvements you can make to an investment home are the ones that add function and space.  Anything else will simply be for show and potentially cost you too much in the long run.

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Rarely Discussed Tips for Buying that First House

Lots of solid information is available online that discusses items for first time home buyers such as choosing the right loan, working with a reputable lender, and arranging a proper budget. While those items are very important, there are some other items that don't get the same publicity but deserve great attention.

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Buyer Beware

It cannot be stressed enough: there is no such thing as a perfect home. One home that seems to have a great outside appearance may need significant work on the inside. Another home that is appealing both indoors and out could be located in a terrible neighborhood. Take some time to look over the home as closely as you can. Ask some friends or relatives to come by and inspect the place. If something looks wrong, consult with a professional inspector.

Don't Sign Something that is Unclear

Most people that are buying a home for the first time are not aware that there are LOTS of forms to sign. This does not mean you should sit at the closing and closely read every single word. Many of these items are simply legal documents designed to protect the borrower. However, it also does not mean you should be confused about the process. During the closing process, ask the closing agent or your lender questions about the paperwork that you are signing to be sure you understand everything.

Allow for Improvements and Vacations

Very few people buy a home and leave everything as it sits for the duration of their home ownership. Most people like to add variety by changing out the carpet, adding fresh paint and updating the appliances and light fixtures. All of these things take money, whether they are done now or 5 years from now. Don't pick a home that is at the edge of your affordability. Leave some room for making a few improvements as well as saving up for the occasional vacation.

Don't Buy With Just Your Heart

It is true that most people will live in a home for a number of years. For this reason, they need to be quite happy with the major features of the property. However, falling in love with a property that is over an hour away from your job will make your commute quite tough, and add misery to your life. It is important to find a home that makes you happy and is practical for your situation.

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photo credit: joelplutchak via photopin cc

Avoid Unpleasant Features

Just as some people fall in love with a home and buy it based on one or two features, some people loathe one or two features of an otherwise suitable place. It is a bad idea to try and put up with something that makes you unhappy for the sake of owning a home. For instance, some people despise yard work. Buying a lovely modern home, with modern appliances, and in a good area may sound great until you realize the yard is monstrous. All those hours spent mowing the lawn, trimming bushes, cleaning around walkways and other items may actually irritate some people to no end.

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