There are some really incredible fixer uppers for sale in Southern California and they can be a great bargain. We have seen some great results from these – but we have also seen some mistakes made. One of the biggest mistakes we see is home buyers deciding to complete their renovations before they move into their new home.
While this may be necessary, if it is not then we recommend you renovate it first. Keep reading to learn three reasons for this advice. If you need help buying a home or selling your current home, contact Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices at (310) 373-0021 to get started.
1. You May Change Your Mind After Living in the Home
You may look at the setup of a home and believe that you can improve it, only to move in and find that everything is where it is for good reason. You may find that the place you were planning to build on an extra office gets too much direct sunlight, or that the trees near it are rotted. Only when you live in a home on a day to day basis will you have a complete picture of how you want the renovations to go.
2. You Owe Yourself a Break After Buying a Home
Buying a home is exciting but it is a lot of work. It is a huge project, it takes up a lot of time, and writing such large checks can be a shock not just to you but to your finances. Buying the right home can feel like working a part-time job. Do you really want to immediately follow that with another large, stressful, expensive project? One that will require making many decisions and working with contractors?
After seeing many projects go well and some go south, we have to recommend that you wait until you have had time to regroup and settle into your new home.
3. You Need Time to Plan Your Renovation
All renovations should be designed with great care – even if they are just “minor” renovations. You should talk to several contractors and designers. You should carefully consider all options and look at various materials. If you have do to all of this while under the constraints of an escrow period, you may make less-than-perfect decisions.
We Know That Not Everyone Can Make This Decision
While it is true that many people have no choice but to move in right after buying their home, if you do have a choice then it may be worth waiting to renovate until you have had a chance to live in your home. If you are ready to start looking for homes, whether a fixer-upper or move-in-ready condo, we are ready to help. Call Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices at (310) 373-0021 now to get started.