Over the past few years, the housing market has had its fair share of ups and downs. And while it’s tough to tell where it will go moving forward, and with interest rates ever-changing, one thing is for sure – there are a lot more first-time homeowners in the tristate than ever before! Whether it was a product of smart financial planning or scrimping and saving, a lot of individuals took advantage of low cost loans throughout Covid and got themselves into what many would consider to be “starter homes”. With many of these deals simply being too good to pass up, a lot of individuals took advantage of things and put in bids on properties and ended up with a place that might not be perfect, but is full of potential and perfect for new additions, and home rehab. And with all the Youtube experts and HGTV watchers across the internet giving their two cents on internet forums, it can be difficult to truly understand what you need to do in order to best rehab your newly purchased property and create a solid space for you and your loved ones to call home! According to the team at Realty Improvements, known for the best home renovations in NJ, there is a lot that you need to know that you probably didn’t. Just as we have in our previous articles, we will be going through some vital factors first-time homeowners need to remember when working on their new home or property.
Start Outside & Address Structural Concerns
This is a tricky tip and may not be right for everyone, as it’s highly dependent on the condition of the specific property or home you have purchased. But for most first-time homeowners, it’s a good idea to start with your exterior appearance and overall curb appeal. When it comes to things like additions and roofing rehab, home renovations in NJ can become very difficult to deal with, but you need to make sure you have a solid foundation, structure and overall envelope for your home and property before anything else. Address the outer look of your home, and any issues that might exist there first, and as you live in the inside you will slowly remedy those issues as well.
Get Interior Designer Help
We cannot stress this enough, but designing a beautiful home that meets your needs, and is equal parts form and function is no easy task! Anyone can look in a magazine and say what they like, but unless you have space in your budget to pluck a full design scheme off the shelves, it’s always best to work with an expert to help mold and craft your space to your tastes. According to the team at Realty Improvements, a design expert will not only be able to bring your dreams to reality, but they will be able to tell you what flows well together, identify key areas of waste and what will do well in terms of property value – because this is something you must always keep in mind these days!
Talk Things Over with Your Family or Partner
This can be taken in multiple ways, but the fact is that any home renovations project in NJ is going to be stressful and a huge undertaking. No matter how big your budget might be, no matter what your timeline is, and no matter how great your contractor is, there will always be headaches that come about. The worst thing that can happen is that you are not on the same page as your partner or other loved ones. Come to an agreement about placement of certain vital areas or shared spaces, color schemes, pattern choices, materials and more. If you are interested in high-end venetian plaster walls and your partner just wants simple wallpaper in the kitchen, this is something you want to hash out well before you get to work. Measure twice cut once!
Windows & Doors
Windows and doors are vital areas and openings in any home or property, and its very important for individuals to take consideration of how these areas will be used before you decide to break one down for another or vice versa. Oftentimes, you might want to convert a window into a sliding doorway to the backyard, but this is a huge undertaking – think about it long and hard before you decide. Windows also play a key role in terms of energy efficiency for a home, especially when it comes to home renovations in NY and NJ. Adding storm windows is a great option for some, but if you have solid windows that are original to the property, and they are in good shape, consult with your contractor and get a few opinions before you decide to gut and replace them.
Create Floor Plans Before Getting Furniture
You need furniture, you want furniture! The right sofa or loveseat can turn any space into a cozy entertainment room for family and friends, and the right table and chair setup can make for amazing shared meal experiences for years to come. But don’t just buy what you like because you like it, make sure it fits into your floor plan as well as your budget. Make sure you have got the space for it, make sure it goes with the rest of your furniture and even the art, decor on the walls. You do not want to have mismatched furniture that you are stuck with for years to come.
Tackling Too Much at Once
When it comes to home renovations and rehab work, it’s important to understand that it’s your choice to do it, and you make the plans! So go slow if you have to and go at your own pace, and do what your budget allows. The worst thing you can do is to overextend yourself in any home renovations project in NJ, and end up with a hole in the side of your house come winter time! You might decide that you will work on your roofing work or patio and porch area, maybe do some landscaping this year, and come next spring you will take on that driveway area, or put that basement entrance in. It’s your home, you own it now, and you can take all the time you need. Don’t let anyone, especially yourself, rush you!
For more information on home renovations and home remodeling be sure to contact Realty Improvement today.