How To Buy A House And Renovate It -

Don't skip the city permits. Unpermitted work can lead to fines, "stop-work" orders, and massive headaches when you eventually try to sell the home.

Take your most realistic renovation estimate and add 20%. Once you open up walls, you will find electrical issues or plumbing leaks you didn't see during the inspection. how to buy a house and renovate it

This is where you can get specific with your tastes, but keep an eye on the "neighborhood standard." Over-improving a house (adding a $100k kitchen to a $200k neighborhood) will make it difficult to recoup your money later. Don't skip the city permits

Keep finishes neutral and durable. Your goal is to appeal to the widest possible buyer pool. Once you open up walls, you will find

Focus on homes that need "surface" help—old wallpaper, dated flooring, or ugly cabinets. Avoid homes with foundation cracks, extensive mold, or sagging rooflines unless you have a massive contingency budget.

Whether you are DIY-ing or hiring a General Contractor (GC), the order of operations matters.