If you're moving to Northern Virginia and you've noticed that housing prices are currently high in your dream areas, and you want to buy a house, chances are that you've considered taking on a fixer-upper. Popularized by TV shows on HGTV, houses in bad need of TLC can be a good deal, but only if you know what to look for before you buy. There are homes that can be rehabbed with a bit of time and money, and others that are just money pits that will suck you in and under. What should you look for in a potential fixer-upper?
Does it have good bones?
First of all, does the house have “good bones?” You’ve probably heard this phrase before, but what does it mean? “Good bones” means that a house is structurally sound, and you will not have to do significant repairs to the foundation, plumbing, electrical, or roof. Some people also include the HVAC system into their determination since replacing it can be very costly. Finding out if a house is solid requires a lot of poking around in the basement and attic, preferably with the help of an experienced home inspector. Don’t get distracted by surface things that can be changed easily, like the counters, cabinets, paint color, or flooring. All of these things you can tackle, but a sagging roof or bad electrical throughout the house will take you much deeper than you probably anticipated.
Is the layout basically what you want?
Another important thing to consider when checking out a fixer-upper is the layout. It’s important that the basic layout works for what you want in a house. On TV, tearing down walls and opening spaces up to create a favorable floor plan may seem like no big deal, but the reality is that it is an expensive and messy undertaking. Are the bathrooms located where you would like them to be? Is the floorplan open enough for you? Take all this into consideration, because, unless you have a generous fix-up budget and don’t mind the inconvenience and dust, changing it around is not likely to be a winning proposition.
Has anyone lived there recently?
Finally, you should find out whether your potential fixer-upper has been occupied recently. There are risks in buying a home that has sat unoccupied for a while. In the cold Northern Virginia winter, if the water was not shut off properly, the pipes could have frozen and burst. An unlived-in home is also highly susceptible to infestation, be it by rats, squirrels, bats, bugs, or possums. You will want to determine if this is the case before you buy the house, because hiring pest control and fixing the access points for vermin can be expensive and time-consuming.
In short, a fixer-upper can be a good deal for you and your family, but you need to do your due diligence beforehand to make sure that it is able to be fixed with a minimum of time and money. Cosmetic defects are okay, structural ones are not. Check the house carefully, and you could have a potential great home on your hands.
