Questions to Ask When Buying a Fixer-Upper
If you’re thinking of selling your home and buying a new property, you might come across an opportunity to purchase a “fixer upper”. In fact, the home might be priced based on its need for work
Should you buy that “fixer upper”? That can be a tough decision. Here are some questions you should consider:
- What repairs need to be done?
- Are there any major items that will need to be replaced soon, such as the furnace?
- What renovations are needed? How much, realistically, are those going to cost?
- How much of the work can you do yourself?
- How long will it take for the improvements to get done? (How long will you need to live with drywall dust?)
- How does the price of a comparable “move in ready” property compare to this one?
Of course, before considering purchasing any property – especially one that needs work – you should get a professional home inspection. It will uncover any issues you can’t catch during a viewing. Ultimately, you’ll have to weigh the pros and cons before buying a fixer upper.
Protecting your Home Gadgets from Hacking
Imagine your coffee maker switching on by itself, staying on for hours, overheating and becoming a fire hazard. That’s not science fiction. As more and more appliances incorporate WIFI, the opportunities for hackers to play havoc with them increase.
How do you prevent that from happening? Here are some safety tips:
- If your gadget uses a password to access the settings, change that password frequently. Ideally, change it once every 3 months.
- Some gadgets, such as alarm systems, come with their own connection to the internet. Learn how to turn that connection off if it becomes necessary to do so.
- Don’t leave an internet-connected appliance or other gadget on constantly unless it’s necessary. For example, you don’t need your home speaker system connected to your digital music providers all the time.
- Baby monitors with video are a common target for hackers. Use a password unique to that device and change it often. Never leave the monitor on when not in use.
- Never share passwords with anyone unless it is absolutely necessary. Most home WIFI systems have a “guest” feature with a separate password and limited access. Use it.
In this age of internet connectivity — from coffee makers to stereos and even washing machines — it’s smart to play it safe. Know what’s connected and protect yourself.
Managing the Emotions of Selling
For some people, selling a home can be an emotional roller-coaster ride. In addition to the process of selling your property, buying a new one, and moving, you’re also saying goodbye to a neighborhood and a home.
But there is plenty you can do to smooth out the ups and downs. Here are some ideas:
- Make sure you know all the steps involved in the selling process.
- Don’t overschedule. You don’t want to become exhausted, so don’t try to do everything at once.
- Talk to family members about how they feel about selling and moving. Allow concerns to be aired so they can be addressed.
- Young children, especially, can feel emotionally attached to a home. Think of ways to make the transition easier. For example, have them draw pictures of how they’d like their new bedroom to look.
- Selling and moving can, at times, be disruptive to the household routine. As much as possible, try to remain consistent with mealtimes, family events, etc.
- If possible, get the help you need. Consider hiring a cleaner, home stager, contractor or other professional. Yes, it costs money, but it will help make things less stressful.
As with any large project, knowing the steps involved in selling your home and planning for them appropriately will make the process more enjoyable and less stressful.