Don't Do It!

Jun. 15, 2018 | Written by: Lori

 

There’s always a learning curve for every new endeavor and becoming a homeowner for the first time is no exception. So, instead of learning the hard way, here are just a few things to put on your “Don’t Do” list around the house:

·        Painting your older or outdated kitchen cabinets is a great way to update your kitchen but make sure you don’t get impatient and try to speed up the process. For example, take the time to take the cabinet doors off before you paint them. Even professional painters will not skip this step. Find a good “How To” video or blog and follow it step by step to get the most professional results. It’s worth the extra effort for sure.

·        If you decide to renovate your bathroom, don’t get rid of the bathtub if it’s the only once in the house. It might be tempting to install a pretty walk in shower because you rarely use the bathtub, but you must think ahead. If you decide to sell your home, you don’t want to turn off potential buyers because you don’t have a bathtub in the house.

·        Do you hate the color of the bricks on your house? Don’t paint over them. Paint can destroy bricks and mortar by basically suffocating them.  Try a brick stain if you really can’t live with the color of the bricks. Stains will allow the bricks to breath a bit.

·        Did you buy an older home with beautiful architectural features? If you are remodeling, do your best to preserve as many as you can. Features such as leaded glass windows, custom woodwork, built ins, etc. add value and are what make your home special. They will be attractive to future potential buyers as modern homes today just don’t have these unique features. 

·        You may be excited to plant new landscaping around your yard. Just be mindful of what you are planting and where. For example, you may want to plant that beautiful tree but just make sure it’s not too close to your house. The root systems of large trees may cause foundation problems and/or clog or break plumbing/sewer pipes around your house. They also can damage your house in heavy storms with falling limbs. Take the time to research the planting guidelines. It’s worth the extra time.

·        If you belong to a Homeowner’s Association, don’t do any outside renovations without running it by the HOA. For example, if you want to install a new mailbox or put shutters on your house, make sure it follows HOA guidelines. You don’t want to spend the time and money doing the project and then have to undo it.

Having a little forethought and doing a little research before renovating any part of your home will always pay off in the end, even if you only save yourself a headache.

 

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