We purchased our home in 2010 as a short sale – it was a deal we couldn’t pass up. Even though it was a newer home, the fact that it was a short sale meant that not everything was as nice as you’d expect a newer home to look. The floors, though hardwood, were scratched up and had water damage. The downstairs toilet leaked. The upstairs toilet leaked. Nail polish splatter littered the carpet in one of the upstairs rooms. The drywall in the garage sported a huge hole.

Since we moved, we (really I should say Bryan) have slowly started adding some small improvements.

We replaced the hardwood floor in the downstairs bathroom with tile.

We put in new floors downstairs

We put a big patio in the backyard (that’s now overtaken with toddler toys), and put up backsplash in the kitchen

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The garage still has the hole.

One day, I’d love to make our currently useless front living room into an office, and replace our master bath shower and tub. We (by we I mean Bryan) did most of the work ourselves, with the exception of the patio (which, ironically, needs fixing because we did NOT find a good contractor for that one).

New or old house, renovations can be a pain, but are often really worth the expense.

*Due to the technology that is available today, many older homes are unable to provide many aspects of efficient living. From the power outlets to inefficient insulation methods, these older homes can cost a great deal of money just in living expenses such as energy costs. However, proper renovations can bring that old house into the 21st century. Not only will this improve the overall efficiency of the home, but it can also improve it’s resale value later on.

What Goes Into Renovating a Home?

Renovating an older home requires more than just tearing down a few walls and making some cosmetic changes. New power lines may have to be run while replacing the old breaker box with a more efficient and safer model. Insulation may have to be replaced as well. This doesn’t include repairs or replacing support beams within the walls, floors and ceilings. Energy efficient windows may need a new wall design which could also affect the outside paneling or siding.

Increasing the Home’s Curb Appeal

Remodeling and room additions can enhance an older home’s curb appeal by making it look and feel newer. People are less likely to buy a home with substandard power outlets and inefficient insulation in today’s market. The more energy conscious a home is, the more likely it is to sell. This doesn’t include how potential buyers can view the property from the outside. Give the home a proverbial face-lift with a proper renovation, and provide the aging structure with a new purpose for providing a family with energy efficiency and comfort.

What’s the first thing on your list for a home renovation/fix?

*This is a sponsored post