HOME OWNERSHIP 101

With Errol Scott

Unless you are sitting with a homebuilder to design your home to meet the specifications of your personal taste, it is unlikely that you will find a property on the market that delivers on every detail that you have imagined for your new space. The home shopping process requires a bit of visualization and innovation. Having a good eye for the potential in a home can be a solid tool with which your realtor can negotiate and can allow you to use your budget efficiently.

Realtors often use the term ‘move in ready’ to describe properties that meet the basic codes for occupation, however, this can describe a wide range of circumstances. As you explore each space ask yourself the following questions:

1) Are the things that you do not like about the space purely aesthetic?

Do not be off put by the ‘quick fix’ items. Consider a coat of paint that better suits your style, quick upgrades to baseboards, bath and kitchen fixtures can quickly change the visual of a space.

2) Do I have a firm gauge on my handyman/woman skills?

While purchasing a ‘fix-me-upper’ is an option for maximizing your dollar, be cautious as to not take on a project that is too demanding on your resources, skills or finances. We have all heard the horror stories of the ‘basement projects’ that are never completed or buyers regretting a purchase when the magnitude of the work begins to unfold.

3) What repair items are non-negotiable?

In working your way through a home, and in conjunction with your home inspection – determine which ‘repairs’ you should simply walk away from. For example, water damage in the basement due to foundation cracks, or major upgrades required in electrical and heating system may simply be costs and risks you are not willing to absorb. Transforming a house into ‘your home´ is a process that can easily take months to years – Hunt with a keen and creative eye and connect with me on IG @ Hardbodyrealtor or www.errolscott.com