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If you have your heart set on buying an older home, perhaps because you want to fix it up and resell it, or because you want to live in a property that has more charm and character than something modern, it’s important that you understand the issues that come with the purchase.

If you don’t do your homework first, you might end up with a property that isn’t worth the money you spent on it. You might also be forced to spend more money than you can reasonably afford if there are any issues that prove costly. 

With this in mind, here are the issues that you need to look out for when buying an older property. 

#1: A deteriorating roof

If the roof of the house hasn’t been well-maintained, it could cause you major problems when you later move into the property, such as water leakage and cold drafts.

Signs of a deteriorating roof can include: 

• Missing or decaying shingles
• Bowing gutters
• Water stains on the walls and ceiling
• Pools of water in the attic
• Mold and damp

The weather is a major factor of roof damage, but improper installation can also be the reason for any problems. 

If you spot any issues, especially signs like missing shingles or water leaks, call a professional home inspector to assess the state of your roof. It’s important to spot potential problems early to prevent further damage. Once they’ve completed their inspection, ask them to provide a detailed report and outline the repairs that are needed, ensuring the longevity and safety of your home.

#2: Issues with the foundation

Unfortunately, foundation issues are very common in older homes. Issues often arise because of outdated techniques used to create the foundation but wet soil, tree roots, house pests, and natural wear and tear can also create problems. 

Signs of a failing foundation can include:

• Uneven floors
• Doors that won’t close properly
• Cracks in the interior and exterior walls
• Sagging floorboards

A house with foundation issues isn’t necessarily unsafe to live in but your life will be made uncomfortable. For one thing, you may have to find ways to stop bugs from entering the house if there are any cracks in the walls as you could be inundated with cockroaches and termites if you don’t make repairs or hire pest control. 

If you do spot any problems before buying the property, ask a structural engineer to assess the damage. If they suggest the house is a potential money pit, it might be wise to consider another property if you can’t afford to pay for the repairs to the foundation damages. 

#3: Outdated electrical systems

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If the electrical system in the house is over 40 years old, it’s unlikely to be code-compliant. Today’s homeowners use way more electrical items than homeowners in the past, which is why modern houses are fitted with electrical systems that fall in line with modern ways of living. 

Signs of outdated electrical systems can include:

• Burning smells from the outlets
• Flickering lights
• A circuit breaker that trips often
• 2-prong outlets
• Frayed wires
• Scorch marks around the outlets
• Crackling, sizzling, and buzzing sounds

If the property’s electrical system is outdated, you will need to call in an electrician to rewire the house and replace the circuit breaker and outlets. If you don’t, both your life and the property itself could be in danger of serious harm.

#4: Hazardous building materials

Properties built before 1978 often contain asbestos and lead-based paint, both of which can be dangerous to your health. 

Before moving into the property, you will need to pay somebody to delead the house and remove the asbestos.

Spotting the signs of asbestos and lead-based paint can be difficult as they are often invisible to the naked eye. However, if you know the property was built before 1978, there is a good chance that both of these hazardous materials exist. As such, you should contact a specialist firm that can assess the property for these materials and remove them. 

#5: Plumbing issues

Pipes start to corrode and decompose as they get older and when they do, they are in danger of bursting. There is also the danger of lead poisoning in the water supply if the pipes in the property are made from lead.

Signs of plumbing issues can include:

• Slow water drainage
• Low water pressure
• Discolored water
• Faulty fixtures
• Water leakage

If you spot any of these signs, you should hire a certified plumber to inspect the plumbing and replace the pipes in the property. 

Finally

The safety of yourself and your family matters so if you do decide to move into an older property, you need to carry out all the necessary checks before you finalize the purchase. 

After moving in, you need to look after your older home by making the necessary repairs as this will prevent further damage to your property. 

Once these repairs have been done, you should be able to enjoy your home for many years to come. Unless, of course, you are fixing it up for resale, in which case, you will be able to profit from the purchase if the repairs have added value to the property. 

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When it comes to improving your quality of living, your home is one of the first places you should look to. The problem is, home improvements can often be costly, and it can be difficult to know where to start. If you’re going to start investing in your home, you should focus on the things that make a big difference and are going to last you a long time. Something that you’re going to benefit from on a daily basis, and may even add value to your home when it comes time to change up your location.

Window renewal

If your home is quite old, the chances are that your windows are old too. Having newer, double, or even triple-glazed windows can make a huge improvement on your living conditions, for multiple reasons. You can learn more here about how you can get your windows renewed.

Firstly, an extra layer of glazing in your windows is added security. Single glazing is incredibly fragile and easy for anyone to break – it’s not ideal for keeping a safe home, especially if you haven’t got alarms and other anti-burglary systems in place.

Secondly, triple glazing is great for insulation. A single-glazed window lets the heat out and the cold in easily, and vice versa – it’s not ideal during the winter or the summer. Maintaining the temperature in your home easier will save you money all year around, and it will add to the value of your home – as it’s one less thing that the new owners will have to invest in.

An extension

How many problems in your home could you solve if you just had a little more space? Looking at the price of an extension, it’s easy to feel a little put off – but just know that not only are you going to be much more comfortable at home as a result, but you’re likely to get that money back when you sell. Extensions and conservatories can add a significant percentage to the value of your home, so don’t worry too much about the cost of the extension itself. Whether it’s an additional bedroom, a kitchen conversion, a home gym, or otherwise, that extension can be used for anything.

Loft conversion

Have you got all that unusable space in your loft that’s just being wasted? Having a loft conversion done is a great way to free up a lot of space in your home, as well as opening up an opportunity for another bedroom or more storage space. You shouldn’t let the space go to waste, and loft conversions can help a great deal when bumping up the value of your home. 

Even if you can’t get an extension done, you can still get more from your home with a loft conversion. While it might not be completely profitable, if you look at how it’s going to improve your life while you’re living there, you’ll see that it’s worth it.

Landscaping

There’s no better time to think about your garden than right now, as summer is coming in. Having your garden remodeled can be a great way to add some value to your home, all the while making it a much more pleasant place to be. As mentioned before, Summer is right around the corner, and you’ll be wanting to use your garden to relax and host guests. If there’s ever been a time to work on your garden, it’s right now. Of course, like the other renovations, landscaping can help to bump up your property’s value.

Often if there’s one part of the home that gets neglected, it’s the garden. There’s not always time to take care of what needs to be done, and before you know it your garden is an overgrown mess. Now’s the time to turn that around, and having professional landscaping done can make that a much easier task for future maintenance.

Roof renewal

While it might not necessarily add value to your property, a roof renewal can do a better job of protecting your home from the weather. As your roof ages, it will crack and wear down, and eventually, you’re going to notice leaks here and there. These leaks will make your home damp, and in severe scenarios, a dangerous living environment. Having your roof redone can reduce the risk of serious damage happening to your home, meaning that you won’t have to pay out any money for repairs down the line, and have to pay for a roof renewal when it’s too late.

When you fall out of love with the style of your family home, it’s all too tempting to want to know it down and start over, or even put it on the market and begin looking for somewhere new. Thankfully, you needn’t go to such effort just to change the style of your home, as it’s more than possible to do it yourself!

There are lots of affordable options that you can explore to spruce up your home and help it to take on a whole new aesthetic in no time at all, so what are you waiting for? Read on to discover more now!

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Repaint Your Homes Exterior 

One of the best options that you can explore to totally transform the look and feel of your property is to repaint its exterior. You can simply repaint your home’s exterior in the same color as before if you want to help it look cleaner and newer, or you can choose to repaint it using an entirely new color that will help you to achieve a different style. There are countless colors to choose from, but you must ensure that you take the time to find a reputable brand that’s able to stand the test of time. It will be a total nightmare if you spend weeks painting your home only to find it chipping, cracking and peeling soon after you finish!

Get Some New Windows

Another great step that you can follow to change your home’s aesthetic in record time is to get some new windows. Windows come in all shapes and styles, from the most modern and minimalist designs to more traditional stained glass options that add a little more character. Switching up your window style so that you can try out something new is a great way to go, as installing a new design will help your home to take on a different aesthetic. Find a reputable supplier such as Windows Modesto and start browsing through your options. It can be a good idea to snap a photo of your home that you can use to compare against certain styles, as this way you can be totally confident in your decision. 

Build An Extension

If you’d like to give your home a new look with a different shape or style, then building an extension can be a great way to go. There are many extension options that you can make the most of, from cheaper single storey extensions like a conservatory or even a garden home office, to more grand extensions that offer multiple rooms spanning over several floors. If you decide to extend your home from the front, then this is the perfect opportunity for you to revamp its design so that you can improve its curb appeal. However, if you’re extending from the side then it’s a good idea to attempt to tie in your extension with the rest of your home. When you do this, you can still implement changes to your home as a whole such as painting it a new color to make sure the new extension fits perfectly, but follow this through so that your extension looks as natural as possible. 

Change Your Driveway 

What state is your driveway currently in? If it’s seen better days with cracks and discoloration, then the chances are that you could use this as an opportunity to breathe new life into your home’s aesthetic! When people arrive at your home, the first thing that they’re going to be greeted with is your driveway – if it doesn’t ooze style, then it’s no doubt going to detract from all of the hard work you’ve put in to change the appearance of your property. There are lots of things that can be done to change your driveway, starting off with resurfacing. You can get rid of old concrete and replace it with some more eye-catching brickwork or tiling. You can line your driveway with new trees or certain plants, and even upgrade your post box to help your new aesthetic thrive in every way. 

Final Thoughts 

Figuring out how to change the style of your home without starting over has never been such a simple task when you can utilize the amazing tips and ideas detailed above. You’ll be able to transform the look of your home in record time, helping you to fall back in love with your property once more. You can repaint your home’s exterior, get new windows, build an extension or even change your driveway – there are so many worthwhile options to explore! 

When you look at home in magazines or on social media, they all seem to possess the same traits. Whether they’re following a gray and minimalist aesthetic or they’re kitted out with exactly the same furniture as the next, there seems to be no uniqueness to properties anymore. You want your home to tell a story and be close to your own personal style. You don’t want a carbon copy of someone else’s house, because that would be boring, right? You don’t necessarily have to get started on a big renovation project, or spend a lot of money to create a unique vibe throughout your home. You can pick and choose the areas that require the most attention and focus your energy on this.

Creating an original home for the long-term doesn’t need to take a long time, nor does it need to break your bank balance. You only need to make small changes to make a huge difference when it comes to creating a space that feels true to you. With this in mind, here are a handful of ways in which you can create a sense of originality throughout your home both quickly and affordably.

Upgrade Your Windows

The window design you choose for your home can make a huge difference to the overall aesthetic of your home. If your number one goal is to create a unique and original property, then you may want to consider custom replacement window design. Your specialty windows can be made into any shape you choose so that it makes a real statement on both the inside and outside of your home. You can even choose a bold color as part of your window design to accentuate this look even further. Once you start exploring your options with regards to windows, you will soon see that they are your ticket to a completely original and aesthetically pleasing home.

Choose a Unique Front Door

The front door of your home should showcase your unique personality and style preferences. Brushing over your front door design is a mistake you shouldn’t make if you’re looking for long term methods to add originality to your home. Whether you’re the type of person who wants to make a statement with a sunshine yellow door, or you want to keep it cool and calm with a sage green, there are so many front door ideas for you to choose from.

Paint the Exterior of Your Home

Upgrading the exterior of your home with a touch of paint or a new type of wood can add originality in an instant. If you don’t want your home to blend in with the rest of the houses on your street, this is the perfect idea for you to try out. If you are altering the exterior of your home dramatically, you may need to seek planning permission from your local authority before you get started.

Hire an Architect for an Interior Renovations Project

Architects are trained to spot unique options inside your home and capitalize on these traits. Hiring a professional architect to renovate the interior of your home is the perfect way to bring a touch of flair and originality to the inside of your home. When you choose this option you can feel confident that your interior design isn’t like any others in your area.

Try Out Bold Color Schemes

Trying out bold and bright color schemes in your home this year could help you to boost the originality factor. From bright greens to deep purples now is the right time to explore your creative side and use colors that make you feel great!

As you see, there are a whole host of changes you can make in and around your home that will add a sense of originality. If you’re stuck for inspiration, then why not create an online mood that you can draw ideas from? You don’t need to copy these ideas verbatim; you can simply extract the areas that are most appealing to you. Once you have come up with an overall concept, you can turn your vision into reality by enlisting the help of professionals or doing it yourself. Whether you’re hoping to enhance the exterior of your home, or think outside the box with regards to color schemes, there are so many fruitful ways to put your own, original spin on your home. Try out some of the ideas mentioned above, and you will soon be one step closer to having a home that is full of vibrancy, originality and uniqueness.

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For many countries, it is speeding towards summer, and the warmer weather can put these worries out of your mind. But winter eventually comes for almost everyone, and with the climbing prices of energy, it has never been more important than now to ensure you keep the heat in! 

Keeping the heat in your home might mean you need to make a couple of adjustments, but ultimately you’ll have a cozier home and help to reduce some of the costs associated with a warm home. 

Photo by Sweta Meininger on Unsplash

So where do you start? 

Drafts

No matter how small, drafts will pull hot air out of your home and let cold air leak in. It doesn’t take long for a single small leak to drastically reduce your home’s temperature by a degree or two. The fight to keep the temperature up is going to get expensive. 

Take some time to check each of the doors and windows in the home, and wherever you feel gaps, you can plug them with draft excluders or rolled towels (for a budget-friendly option. Alternatively, if you have more than a few gaps, a replacement from Everett Window can be the best thing to do. 

Radiators 

Do you have your large furniture, like sofas, snuggled up to the radiator? Or perhaps other things blocking them? You might not realize it but radiators need room to push the heat out into the room. Anything that is rested against them is going to soak up the heat, and the rest of the room won’t get the benefit. 

Pull furniture away from all vents and radiators by a few inches, and you’ll see a difference, and the best part is that it is free to do! 

Fans

Many homes have a ceiling fan, but not all homes are making the most of them. In the summer, you have your fan set to cool the room, but yours might have a switch that can change the direction and push heat back down into the room. Since heat rises, this is a great and free way to get it back down to the room. 

If your ceiling fan doesn’t have the option to change the direction, then it is a good idea to leave it off unless the room feels stuffy.

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Thermostat 

There is nothing as lovely as stepping into a warm and welcoming home after being out in the cold all day – but that comes with a cost. If you have an old timer thermostat, make sure that you are using it correctly. And, if you don’t have a timer, then it can be a good idea to get one installed. 

Putting your thermostat on a timer means you will be able to have your home heated only exactly when you need it, but more importantly, it won’t be trying to climb from cold (when no one is home) to warm within a short space of time – burning through your energy. 

Instead you can use a smart timer to help keep your home at a steady temperature, and avoid using more energy than you have to achieve it. 

A general tip for the thermostat is to lower it by a few degrees too. As little as turning it down by 4 degrees can see you saving up to 12% on your heating bill. Get your cozy jumpers and socks out to compensate for tuning it down. 

Water Heater 

As winter rolls around, hot water usage starts to increase and it’s time to start thinking about water heater repairs. Where possible, keep baths to a minimum and try to stick to timed showers. Check your water heater’s temperature, and lower it by about 20 degrees; this will see you with a reasonable saving. Keep in mind that a bath uses something like 25 gallons of hot/warm water, while a shower will use about 10 gallons. 

Changing the temperature of your water heater is another change that costs nothing but will positively impact what you are trying to achieve.

Doors 

Aside from checking any drafts from the door, another tip that costs nothing is to close the doors. While you will want some air movement to keep the air quality good in the home, it is more beneficial to close the door and keep the heat in most of the time. 

Any doors that lead to hallways or spaces that don’t have a radiator should be of particular concern – and are the ideal place for door snakes or rolled towels. 

There are plenty of things that you can do, many of which are free, to help improve the energy efficiency of your home, and if you’re on a mission to maximize your savings, read this: How To Reduce Your Energy Bills In 2023 « THE FRUGAL MATERIALIST | Interior Design for Less. 

Are you worried about your older property? It can often feel like you’re waiting for something to go wrong while living in a more dated home. Older properties often come with charm and character but need a little more love to keep them running at full capacity. Fortunately, there are many steps you can take to protect your much-loved residence and keep it going for longer. Here’s how to look after an older home. 

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Get Your Foundations Looked At

Older properties are often susceptible to foundation damage or basement leaks. Get the support of a foundation repair expert for an inspection to ensure no repairs are needed. It’s better to inspect your property before you suspect any damage just to avoid costly repairs further down the line. Foundation repair experts can also often advise on basement waterproofing and other issues to protect the life of your older property.

Look After Old Floors

If you are fortunate enough to have historic wood floors, there’s a particular knack for looking after them. Invest in hand-sanding over using a sander, as this will damage the floors rather than extend their life span. Avoid harsh cleaners, and use soap and water to clean your floor. Hoover regularly to avoid daily debris scratching or damaging your older wooden floors. 

Clear Your Gutters

A minor renovation project that can help maintain an older property is to clean your gutters. Debris from gutter build-up can often result in water cascading down the side of your property, damaging exterior window frames and even causing basement leaks. Make sure you clear your gutters regularly to avoid damage to your property. This simple step of undertaking regular maintenance can help you save on future repairs and investments.

Apply A Repair Over Replace Approach

Many older properties come with a unique style that can help lend character to the home. Aiming to replace repair fixtures and fittings can help you keep the personality of the building while reducing the overall costs. Using the same materials to repair damages wherever possible will also help you understand how the materials will look and age alongside the rest of the property.

Upgrade Its Energy Efficiency

Older homes can be less energy-efficient, which can cost more money but also age your home, particularly if it becomes damp. Consider adding or upgrading roof insulation when installing any repairs to help retain heat in your home and keep your property weatherproof. Over time, better insulation will also help you save money to invest back into repairs.

Conclusion

Looking after an older home can be more expensive, particularly when waterproofing and insulating your home to ensure it remains energy efficient. However, the benefits of investing in these improvements are that, over time, you can enjoy your older property for longer. Basic maintenance like cleaning your gutters and cleaning wood floors can help protect historic property features. Retain quirky characteristics using the same materials to replace damaged fixtures, and enjoy your older property for years to come.