When it comes to buying a remodeled home, there’s usually more to it than meets the eye. Here are five tips to help you avoid buying a remodeled home that might be more than what you bargained for:
1. Make sure all of the major systems work. Having new floors and counters is great, but if you have to replace the home’s heating system or electrical system, that might cost you more than the remodel itself.
2. Make sure the kitchen doesn’t disappoint. A good way to make sure the builder didn’t cut corners in this area is to double check that the backsplash is even.
3. Make sure there was attention to detail in the bathrooms. If they remodeled the bathrooms, you need to make sure they invested heavily in them—not only with high-end tile, but also with new supply valves, shut-off valves, trim rings, etc. This will tell you whether they finished the job or not.
4. Make sure the home is on even footing. Poorly installed laminate or hardwood can buckle and pop over time. A good way to know if your floors are even is to kick off your shoes, slide across them, and see if you catch any corners (think of Tom Cruise in “Risky Business”).
5. Make sure they took pride in the work they did. A good way to do this is to check the molding in the corners and frames of each room.
As a Realtor, I’ve seen just as many terrible remodels as I’ve seen great ones, so if you have any more questions about how to tell if a remodeled home you’re thinking of buying is a good investment, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I’d love to help you.
