You have decided to purchase an old property, either to transform and sell on or rent out, or you have purchased the property to live in yourself. Regardless of the reason that you have chosen to purchase a property that is old and in need of a little TLC, there is naturally a lot that you need to think about and consider. Buying a property is a huge deal and it is important to ensure that you do not rush any aspect of the process. You need to think each decision carefully through, to ensure that the end result is what you want and need it to be.
Of course, knowing what steps you need to take in order to ensure that the end result is what you hoped it would be, is not always simple. With so much to think about, it is easy to forget things, which is why it is worth creating an action plan of steps that you need to take to ensure that you are able to effectively deal with every aspect of buying and doing up a property that’s in need of a little love.
To help you to create the perfect action plan, we have put together a simple guide to the ins and outs of purchasing and doing up an old and unloved property, transforming it into the most incredible space. For everything that you should know, have a read of the tips, ideas and pieces of advice below!
Get A Property Survey Before You Buy
One of the most important steps that you can take when it comes to purchasing a ‘fixer upper’ property is to ensure that before you buy, you do all of the right checks. This means thinking about consulting experts in different areas of property and speaking with them about what aspects of the property you need to check to ensure it is worth the asking price and will make a good ‘fixer upper’ property to invest in.
One key thing to make sure you do is have a survey of the property performed by a qualified property surveyor. A survey is a crucial element of buying an old, unloved property, because it allows you to make sure that there is nothing that you are not aware of, such as structural problems or a rising damp problem, for instance. Getting the property surveyed before you buy is most definitely worth the cost and is not something that you want to skip.
Look Into Planning Permission
It is also a good idea to look into planning permission before you agree to buy the property that you have found. Perhaps there is a reason why the property has fallen into a state of disrepair and has not been property maintained — maybe that reason is a lack of planning permission. That is why it is so important that you take the time to look into the planning permission process and find out how easy it will be to gain permission for the property that you are considering purchasing. After all, there is no point buying a property if you are not going to be able to transform it, now is there?
If you want to make sure that you will be able to gain planning permission, speak with an expert in planning permission and discuss your concerns. They should hopefully be able to determine whether or not you will find it difficult to ascertain planning permission.
Put Pen To Paper
The next step is to start creating a plan for the property and thinking about what you would like the end result to be like. Sit and think about what you would like the end result to be like — consider what features you would like the property to include and what size and shape you would like the property to be. You could also take the time to think about what you want to do in terms of improving the property — are you able to work with what is there or would you need to knock the building down and start from scratch. You need to think carefully about the property and what steps you will need to make in order to ensure that the end result meets your expectations.
One of the key benefits of choosing to purchase a property that is in need of a little TLC is the fact that you have the opportunity to choose each of the features that will be incorporated into it, from the type of windows the property has to the kinds of drains it features, such as trench drain supply, for instance. You are in control of what the property features, which gives you the opportunity to design a home that perfectly meets your wants and needs. You’re in full control of how the property will end up looking and what features it offers, which means that you can create a home that is designed to do exactly what you want it to do.
Think About Sustainability
Whether you plan on selling the property on as an investment, renting it out or living in it yourself, it is important to think carefully about sustainability. You need to consider whether you want to design a property that has a sustainable design to it. Sustainable and eco-friendly homes are becoming increasingly popular, particularly with buyers, so it is definitely something that it is worth considering. Sustainable homes are not only better for the environment but they can also help to reduce day to day living costs, making them worth the investment.
Of course, creating a sustainable property will cost more, however it will improve the value of said property and it will make the day to day living costs of the property far cheaper and more affordable. If you are keen to look into designing a property that is sustainable, it is best to contact a specialist contractor who works with sustainable building, and discuss your needs with them.
Consider The Outside Space
A key factor to remember when it comes to revamping an old property is to take the outside space into account. Far too many people fail to take the outside space into account and as a result, end up failing to leave enough space for a sizable garden. A lack of a garden decreases a property’s value, so it is important to take the time to think carefully about how you will make sure to make the most of the space that you have. If you are not sure the best way to go about doing this, consider contacting a landscape gardener to work with, to ensure that you are able to leave plenty of outside space for a good sized garden.
It is also important to source some ideas and inspiration for your outdoor space, to ensure that you are able to create a space that will increase the property’s value as well as the general living experience of whoever lives there. It is important to make sure that you are willing to invest in the outdoor space and create somewhere that aligns perfectly with your vision for the rest of the property.
If you are stuck for ideas and inspiration, you can find lots of fantastic garden design ideas online. Sites such as Pinterest and Instagram, for instance, are packed full of interesting, unique and quirky ideas for making the most of your outdoor space, regardless of how big or small it is. So it is definitely worth taking the time to get some inspiration for your new property. You never know what you will see when you utilize these kinds of resources, which is what makes them so useful and so beneficial when it comes to sourcing new ideas for creating the most amazing outdoor space.
When it comes to purchasing this kind of ‘fixer-upper’ property, there is a fantastic opportunity to create something that is completely unique and is perfectly designed to be valuable, sustainable, and a wonderful place to live. Not only are you in a position to change the property’s features, but you are also in a position to amend its layout and overall design. You can create a property that is entirely different to the one you purchased, creating a space that is unlike anything else.
Whether you are planning on living in the finished property yourself, letting it out, or selling it on, it is vital that you get every aspect of the design right. That is why having an action plan and following the tips, ideas, and advice above is crucial. You do not want to put loads of money into a property, only to find that the end result is not what you imagined, do you? That is why it is so important to take the time to think carefully about every aspect of the process.
By choosing to invest in an old, outdated property and do it up, you are breathing new life into the space, creating some brand new. Remember, when it comes to your ‘fixer-upper’ property, it is often the little things that make all of the difference. That is why it is so important to think every choice that you make through, as every decision will have an impact on the finished result.
