There’s nothing worse than a raging case of buyer’s remorse. It’s one thing to detest the jacket you just bought. It’s another to regret purchasing your house. While buying a home is an excellent investment that pays a lot of dividends in the long-run, daily life can make it harder to see the big picture. Some of the bumps along the road may cause you to feel moments of regret, but they shouldn’t.
There are moments where you’ll feel blindsided as a homeowner. You feel that if you knew about these problems earlier in life, it could have made these blows easier to deal with. In fact, you can even plan for them, which would severely decrease any feelings of buyer’s regret. Here are five things homeowners wish they knew before they bought or renovated their home.
Fix the Little Things As They Happen
A slow leak can cause structural damage, while a clogged gutter can make a hole in the roof. There are little inconveniences that will inevitably pop up in your home. You might feel tempted to deal with these issues “tomorrow.”
After all, you don’t plan on moving any time soon, so you’re bound to fix this issue. Well, that issue isn’t going anywhere either. Suddenly, it becomes a game of chicken as to what will crack first–the ceiling tiles or your procrastination.
You Might Not Be Able to Renovate Upon Moving in
Part of the allure of buying a house is making the place feel like yours. Sure, you can move in and rip up the carpet and paint the walls. However, you might not be allowed to get an addition or upgrade the electrical on day one.
For instance, adding another room onto the side of your house might be a zoning or conservation issue. Plus,installing a new bathroom will require a plumbing permit, just as blowing out the kitchen wall requires its own.
Furthermore, these permits can only be obtained by the homeowners. It doesn’t matter if you’re closing tomorrow. They will make you wait until tomorrow to start the process. Depending on your situation, approval may take months.
Get to Know Your Neighbors
It’s good to have people you trust that live around you. Even the biggest introverts can benefit from a last minute cat-sitter or someone close who can lend you a lawnmower when yours goes kaput.
Also, bad neighbors can really impede your quality of life. Try getting a gauge of the people in your neighborhood before moving in. Say “hi” and chat if you see them outside. Drive around at different hours of a day to get a feel for the neighborhood’s vibe. Make an educated decision about your location before settling in.
Look Out for Problem Trees
Trees are essential and are an excellent spot for your children to read a book. However, these big beauties can become even bigger pains. If your potential house is close to a big tree, Google it. See how aggressive their root systems are.
Aggressive roots are strong and will expand many feet. In turn, they can pull up piping or damage the structure of the house. Think of a tree that destroys a sidewalk. That can be the slab of your future home’s foundation.
Plan Renovations
Your house needs to change as your family continues to evolve. These changes are going to be costly. However, their necessity will be inevitable. So, don’t live in denial. Come up with a plan.
Talk to pros about potential renovations. Get a gauge for how much they will be. Choose one big project every year or two. Save up and see it through. Then, start thinking of your next long-term goal. You’ll be surprised at how productive you can be!