Buying a Fixer Upper

Ugliest House to Dream House

WHat it's really like buy, That House on the block

9 years ago we sold our first home. It was a cute brand new townhome. The house was perfect for a newlywed couple. 5 years ago we bought our dream home. Not really our dream home as in super gorgeous, but a nice home with lots of potential. It had a nice layout for future kids. A nice backyard to have guests and play in. It had nice bones. It was also the ugliest house on the block. 

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When we pulled up to the house, I remember thinking, "no, nope, this can't be right. Why is that bush like that?? I'd never. We don't have to get out of the car." The house looked scary from the outside. We went inside, I closed the door behind me and was amazed. The first thing I saw was the lake in the backyard.  Then I noticed the high ceilings. THEN I noticed the holes in the floors, 1,000 nail holes in the walls that had been patched with plumbing caulk, dead lizards, a shut in smell and lots of dust. 

The house said, "RUN! J/K, move iN"

At first glance, the house said run. As I walked through the house, I realized it was what I wanted. Just in rougher conditions than I pictured. But, I could see what there could be. Cutting down that bush, new grass, flowers out front. Inside a good deep cleaning, new paint, fix the floors, clean several times more. One day a new kitchen and new bathrooms. A house is a long term investment. It isn't always the 8 week full renovation we all see on tv. 

Everyone thought we were crazy to buy the house. It was a 15 year old house that needed work. Likkkeee, who would want to live there? Us. And several others who put offers on teh home. Truthfully, a house is more than what you see at the moment. You have to be able to purchase a home for the things you can not change. I can change a bathroom, maybe not this moment, but one day. I can NEVER add a lakeview to a property. If you are buying a home, buy it for your needs. Go to hardware stores and price the items you would like to change in a house. Light fixtures, new paint, fencing, cabinets,...create a budget of how much you would be willing to spend on those items when the time comes.

In 5 years we have had things break, replaced a tub and the tile around it, replaced a broken garbage disposal, and renovated the kitchen. Smaller projects have been painting, replacing a broken doorbell, outside light fixtures and create outdoor living spaces. There are still projects I want to do over the coming years. They will get done, but it is going to take time because I don't want to replace it with just anything. 

​Lastly, It is okay to save for what you really want. Remember who has to live there and who is paying the bills. Do not design your house because the next buyer may want. No! Design your home for you. No matter what you put into that house, the next buyer is going to come in a take it out. Over time, everything comes in and out of style. Get what YOU want. Everything doesn't have to be perfect the moment you walk in. Over time it will get there.  

​The more changes we've made to the home, inside and out, the happier we are with our purchase.