Key Questions Before Investing in a Fixer-Upper

For a lot of young people, a first step onto the property ladder might mean purchasing an older home that needs a bit of work. Fixer-uppers can be a great way to enter the real estate market, especially if you’re handy around the house and know a thing or two about remodeling.

But if you’re new to the game, getting swayed into paying too much for a rundown home that needs more work than it’s worth can be a real risk. Here are some things to think about before sinking your life savings into a piece of property:

Mr. Inspector

No matter what, always make sure you have an inspector look at the property and report on his or her findings. Lots of homes look perfectly fine on the outside but have expensive or even toxic damage hidden within the property. An inspector will document any issues he or she finds, and at the very least you should be able to use that information to negotiate the price with the seller. If major parts of the house such as the foundation or structural walls need replacing, or if the house has lead paint, lead pipes, or asbestos, you might want to rethink your potential purchase entirely.

Your Budget +15%

Be really clear about how much you are willing to spend to renovate your purchase into the house of your dreams, and be sure to include the cost of materials, the labor and any permits and paperwork in your estimate. Know that very few projects run to budget, so tack on an extra 15% to give yourself some breathing room. Think about what projects have to be dealt with immediately and which ones can wait. Broken stairs might need immediate attention, but the pink sink and bathtub might just grow on you – at least for the first year.

A Piece of History

Make sure you are aware of the historic status of an old home. Many people purchase houses in an area or zone that doesn’t allow the aesthetic to be changed, which could put a real damper on your dream plans. Also, know that historic restoration is much more expensive than a normal remodel, and it often requires specialists to get the job done right. Be aware of this before you buy.

Keep it Vanilla

A lot of young people buy fixer uppers with plans to remodel in a way that suits them personally. This is fine, but consider what types of projects will enhance the resale value of your home and attract a wide variety of buyers. Additionally, make sure that your remodeling plans keep your house in line with the other homes in the area. Real estate experts suggest keeping your home within 10-15% of the median sale price of other homes in your area. The last thing you want to do is spend a fortune to revamp a house and then not be able to sell it when the time is right.  

Your Crew

Once you decide on your fixer-upper, make sure you hire experts to handle each individual job. Many people are tempted to get one handyman to install the flooring, replace the electrical, and fix the plumbing as a way to save money. This usually comes back to bite the homeowner as no general contractor can be an expert at everything. Find a pro that you love and ask him or her for recommendations. Every contractor has other tradespeople that they feel comfortable introducing to their clients because they do great work. Remember, it’s their reputation on the line too.

 Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or request a call. Advice is for guidance only.

New Decking Materials To Improve Your Outdoor Living Game

One of the jobs I’ll be tackling this fall is replacing my deck. It’s been 25 years since we built it, but with all the new styles and materials available these days, I think my wife would agree that it could use a facelift.

Did you know that 85% of homes in the U.S. have a deck, porch, or some kind of outdoor living space? It’s true, and yet many of us don’t take advantage of enjoying the fresh air as much as we should. 

Back when I built my deck in the 80’s, I went for the most popular option available – wood. Sure, it was pressure treated and looked great at the time, but after years of constant exposure to the elements, it’s seen better days. And to be honest, the upkeep is a killer. Staining it is a real pain, but if I don’t clean and recoat it, the wood looks old and faded. So I’ve decided it’s time for something more modern and easier to manage.

Much like the house materials on the market, today’s decks are often made of composite materials, which last longer, are more durable, and are a breeze to maintain. Plus, unlike the wood decks of decades past, you don’t have to worry about termites getting in and taking over your backyard. So if you’re ready to trade in that retro deck for a something that will allow you to enjoy your backyard with ease, here are some ideas to consider.

As I mentioned, a lot of deck materials today are made from capped composite, a material that’s flexible and virtually unbreakable. Capped composite is usually a mix of PVC or polymers and wood fibers. While the initial cost of this kind of deck is higher than the wood variety, consider the fact that the maintenance is virtually non-existent. What I like best about capped composite is that it won’t fade in the sun, and it comes in a variety of colors that can mimic and hardwood, or any other color if you’re feeling artistic. What’s also interesting is that many new decking products have interlocking technology which means that every board fits perfectly together, allowing for optimal drainage and airflow. Imagine, no nails popping up that need to be hammered back down and no splinters!

The best part about having a deck is the ability to extend your living space and make optimal use of the great outdoors. Newer materials make customization easy – whether that’s building a curved deck, a multi-story feature, or installing more personal add-ons. I love cooking outside, so a simple outdoor kitchen with a built-in grill is a real draw card for me. You can customize your space to fit your lifestyle too, whether that’s incorporating a hot tub, building a pergola for a more permanent outdoor dining room, building a safe fire pit for toasting marshmallows by the fire, or even creating a separate space for peaceful yoga practice. 

If you really want to enjoy the outdoors, two additional things to keep in mind are light and shade. The summer sun can be brutal, so you’ll want to ensure that some permanent and wind resistant protection is incorporated into your design. Also, say goodbye to those tiki torches. Recessed lighting is an excellent enhancement to ensure your outdoor space is as comfortable as the indoors. There are some great solar powered options to consider which are inexpensive to install and won’t leave you with any surprises when your energy bill arrives.

Thinking about putting in a new deck this summer or fall? Get in touch today to request a quote. 

Remodeling Projects to Help Older Adults Stay Comfortably at Home

According to the recent Age-Friendly Community Survey from AARP, more and more Baby Boomers are electing to stay in their current home rather than downgrade or move into an assisted living facility or retirement community. Are you one of them? If so, you will need to think about certain modifications that will need to be made to your house as you age. Everyone deserves to be able to live in the comfort of their own home, but let's face it, your mobility at the age of 85 might be a bit different to what it is (or was) at 65. So in order to stay happy and healthy in your own house, there are a few remodeling projects to consider. Here are the most popular according to the AARP survey. 

Bathroom Modifications

Forty-two percent of all survey respondents said that remodeling their bathroom was the most important change they would need to make to stay in their own home. Some of these modifications are simple and relatively inexpensive, such as changing doorknobs to swing handles and installing a grab bar alongside the toilet. However, larger projects such as lowering countertops, installing a handicap accessible shower, and widening doorways take a bit more time and planning. 

Medical Emergency Response System Installation

Thirty-two percent of respondents rated having an emergency response system as the most significant change they wanted to make in their home as they age. These systems generally consist of a small device that you wear around your neck or wrist. When the device is pressed it will transmit a signal to a call box, which will then immediately connect you with emergency services. For older people who live alone, these systems are highly recommended. Unfortunately, according to the Federal Trade Commission, most insurance companies don’t pay for the equipment so if you need to purchase this kind of system, expect to fork out for installation and monthly service fee.

Improved Lighting

This one seems obvious and nearly one-quarter of all respondents agree that better lighting would be a necessary modification for them to stay in their home. Change in vision is one of the downsides of aging and it happens to nearly all of us. Believe it or not, the human eye actually begins to deteriorate from the age of 40! According to a separate AARP study, older adults require two to three times more light than younger adults, and as we age, our eye lenses tend to yellow, decreasing our ability to see white light. Using cool white halogen and fluorescent bulbs is just one way to maximize vision and can help minimize the chance of a fall or other accident. 

Easier Home Accessibility

Twenty-two percent of survey takers said that changing the way they get in, out, and around their home was the most important consideration for staying in it. Personally, I would have thought that this would be the most popular change, but ramps, doorway modifications, and chairlifts ranked only fourth. These types of alterations should be carefully considered because they are not only the most expensive changes that need to be made; they also take the most time. It would be a wise decision to have your home assessed for these modifications well before you may need them as they could very well change your decision about staying in your home.

Addition to First Floor Living Area

Finally, 14 percent of respondents listed modifications to the first floor as an important part of staying in their own home. Many houses in the greater Bristol area are two-floor Cape Cod style homes with narrow staircases, which is a difficult entry point to a second-floor bedroom. Converting a rarely used first-floor dining room to a bedroom, or making changes to a kitchen to accommodate a wheelchair are definitely remodeling projects to consider as you age.

 Are you an older adult living in the area? Do you agree with the survey results? Are there other modifications you consider to be important for you to stay in your home? I’d love to hear from you.