A house Is Not a Home … YET
Not a ‘New Home’ but a New TO ME Home:
Sometimes life isn’t fair. Maybe you decided to buy a home, and you really had your heart set on New Construction, but it just didn’t happen the way you had hoped. So, new plan, buy a home within budget, and then remember that nothing is permanent. Buying a home is a smart decision from many aspects: mortgage rates are low, they are considered to be a good investment, and not to mention that often times you can go from paying $1400 a month for a 2 bed, 2 bath apartment, to paying under $1000 for a 2 bed, 2 bath house / townhome that you can change to make yours, and sometimes there’s even HOA that take care of outdoor maintenance like snow removal and lawn care. Even if the glass is half full, what can you do to make the in-between time not feel like a lifetime?
Get it all out on Paper.
Once you buy your home, take a thorough walkthrough. Write down anything you might want to change if time or money were not obstacles, then organize it to things that need to be done sooner rather than later, and work your way down to things that don’t necessarily have to be done at all. Once you’re done you may be surprised by the amount of things on the list, even if your current home is technically “liveable”. That can be overwhelming, but whether the changes are to make your house feel more like a home, or to increase appeal for the next owner, it doesn’t have to be a mountain to climb.
Prioritize.
Chances are that on your list there are one or two things that stand out to you. Pick one and focus your energy to accomplish that one thing. My personal experience has been that even though your house may pass the inspection, and/or be appraised at exactly what you offered for it, there are still a lot of things you can work toward. In our own home, we have decided to start with a redesign of the bathroom. because it will improve our living state immediately. The bathroom is used everyday, and while it is functional, it could be more eye-catching. By adding tile to the shower up to the ceiling and upgrading to a soaker tub, we are adding to the resale value, as well creating an atmosphere that is easier to live in until we get to where we want to be.
To DIY or Not to DIY?
That truly is the question. It really depends on your personal style. If you have a tendency to be pretty handy around the house, you may be excited by the idea of picking out your own materials from your local hardware or home improvement store and doing the necessary research from Youtube, Pinterest, Houzz, friends and family etc. But if you’re like me, the potential of messing up a project, and having to spend even more time and even more money to fix it, sounds terrifying and exhausting. That’s where designers come in. Of course, apps like Angie’s List, and Home Advisor exist in order to help the homeowner to find people who can take on any projects, but I tend to find that local is better when possible. You’re more likely to get a deeply personalized experience, and feel more like a client than a number. Call local builders and designers to find one that fits with your home style, individuality and budget. From ‘new to you’ homes, to lists, to first pick of the project to finally moving to a new home, it may feel like a lifetime away, but with each new project you’re taking One Step Closer to Home.
