HOME & GARDEN

HOW

DO YOU

KNOW IF

A HOUSE HAS Good Bones by ERIN PEPLER

f you’ve ever been house-hunting or considered a home I renovation, you’ve probably heard the term ‘good bones’ used to describe certain properties. The implication is usually clear—the house is in decent shape and would be considered a good investment rather than a money pit—but when it comes down to it, do you know exactly what having ‘good bones’ means?

To learn more about this common phrase and what you should look for when assessing a home, we spoke with award-winning Barrie Realtor® John Weber.

“Traditionally when Realtors® use the phrase 'house has good bones, in many cases, they are referring to an older home that might need to be renovated,” says Weber. When considering a renovation project, you need to ensure integrity and strength to the structure of the building.

THE BASEMENT TELLS A TALE

When assessing a house with a buyer, Weber says a Realtor® will look for a few hints of whether the home is structurally sound. “In an older home, if there is an unfinished basement, we look to see if the floor joists are in good shape,” he says. Are the floorboards solid plywood or a lower-quality chipboard? Are there any cracks in the concrete walls? Can you smell mold or any other odors? Even if the basement is mostly finished, Weber says the utility room, laundry, or furnace room will usually give some hints to the integrity of the home.

THE SIZE—AND LAYOUT—IS RIGHT

If a home lacks cosmetic updates but is spacious and has a great layout, you could say it has good bones. Essentially, you’re describing a home that can be modernized or changed to reflect your aesthetic without knocking down load-bearing walls or making other major structural changes. Changing up cabinetry and flooring to reflect your taste is a whole different beast than knocking down walls and re-doing plumbing and electrical.

WHAT’S BEHIND THE WALLS?

Even with a home inspection, no one can see through the walls. However, home inspectors who use thermal imaging equipment can examine for cold spots, lack of insulation, and moisture. “Without punching holes in the walls, this is a great way to determine a home’s history,” says Weber.

A house with good bones will have updated plumbing and electrical systems—no knob and tube or aluminum wiring, for example. An older home may have screw-in fuses that can be converted to a modern breaker panel by a certified electrician. If you aren’t ready for a renovation that gets behind the walls, make sure to get the home’s wiring, plumbing, heating and cooling systems assessed before committing to a purchase or renovation. If all the “heavy lifting” has been done, you can spend your money on cosmetic things – the things you can see and enjoy.

BRIAN MAYO

SALES REPRESENTATIVE

THE MARKET HAS SHIFTED. WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

CONTACT ME FOR A Bliss HP FREE MARKET VALUATION. I'm here to help.

Look Local Volume 5 | Issue 5 barrie@looklocalmagazine.com 16

IT’S A MANAGEABLE PROJECT

The definition of “manageable” is different for every homeowner, but your renovation experience, skills, budget, and willingness to tackle a big project are all important factors that should be considered before buying a new home or renovating your current residence. Buyers love the idea of putting their own touch on things, but inexperienced renovators can quickly find themselves in over their heads. If you run out of money repairing things behind the walls, you don’t even get to the cosmetic stuff that you want to see in your home. Weber recommends buyers conduct a home inspection and bring in a builder/contractor to discuss the feasibility of a renovation prior to purchasing the home. “These two professionals will also help determine the strength and integrity of the 'bones' of the home,” he says. So before grabbing your sledgehammer, do your due diligence and decide if you’re mentally and financially prepared.

But if the bones are good? You may end up with that HGTV-worthy interior after all. LL

CREATE WITH ME!

CELEBRATE LIFE WITH TRAVEL!

Before After

S H OP • WORKSHOPS CUSTOM JEWELL E R Y

Together we can design something new and beautiful from your old, broken, unused jewellery!

250 Bayview Dr Unit 10, Barrie. By appt only. I looklocalmagazine.com705-792-0518 · www.blissjewellery.ca /bliss_by_jennifer_wolfe/ · F /blissjewellery2013/ 17