How do we define renovated? When someone uses the word “renovated” should we ask from what century it was done for? Merriam-Webster defines renovate as “to restore to a former better state (as by cleaning, repairing, or rebuilding); to restore to life, vigor, or activity : revive.” The ultimate point is to make better.
Currently, my husband (Robert) and I are searching for a home to hopefully raise a family in. we have realistic expectations and understand that there are some things we will have to compromise on to get things that are most important to us; like a good school district and a positive resale values within the neighborhood. One of our search requirements is if the home is (1990 or later) renovations have been done within the last 10 years or so. For us renovated means things like wiring and plumbing brought to today’s standards, a kitchen and bath from the 2000s. you know nothing particularly major. We understand that every home will need some work but the basic elements should be intact and up to code.
Boy has this house hunt been an adventure. All the listings and descriptions use terms like “newly renovated”, “recently renovated,” “brand new kitchen and bath” or my favorite “entire house renovated.” It is laughable some of the things we have encountered thus far. One house was “newly renovated.” The floors had such a slope that a pen would roll from the middle of the room to the wall. Robert pushed on the ceiling and it moved as if it was a sofa cushion. But insult to injury almost every room had some type of water damage and we didn’t even make it to the lower level which had a lovely pet smell emanating from it. How is this house renovated? Shot how is this house livable? They would have been better off writing in the listing “MONEY PIT” come at your own risk! It would have been more accurate.
We went to a “recently renovated” house. LOL! So the only things we could determine that may have been renovated were the floors on the main level, the appliances and maybe a scary lower level bathroom. Everything else was from the day the house was built and I’m sure it was outdated then too. But the house could have had potential were it not for the clear and obvious dampness and odor that seemed to exist in the finished basement and master bath. If they recently renovated they should requested a refund because they clearly made the wrong investment.
One common theme in many of the homes we have toured has been damp with odor issues primarily in the finished basements/lower levels. And it begs to wonder why sink money into a space if you refuse to address the elephant in the room! A pig is a pig! Even with lipstick so stop trying to dress up the pig. Even if your air freshener gets through the initial walk through, it won’t get you through inspection or closing without you making big concessions. We’re wondering if we should change our search requirements to read “un-renovated homes.” Because maybe then we will get homes with kitchens and baths from the 2000s with wiring and plumbing up to code, with just maybe no moisture issues. Who knows? But our search continues on…
Check back weekly, we will try to keep you up-to-date on the hunt.
Currently, my husband (Robert) and I are searching for a home to hopefully raise a family in. we have realistic expectations and understand that there are some things we will have to compromise on to get things that are most important to us; like a good school district and a positive resale values within the neighborhood. One of our search requirements is if the home is (1990 or later) renovations have been done within the last 10 years or so. For us renovated means things like wiring and plumbing brought to today’s standards, a kitchen and bath from the 2000s. you know nothing particularly major. We understand that every home will need some work but the basic elements should be intact and up to code.
Boy has this house hunt been an adventure. All the listings and descriptions use terms like “newly renovated”, “recently renovated,” “brand new kitchen and bath” or my favorite “entire house renovated.” It is laughable some of the things we have encountered thus far. One house was “newly renovated.” The floors had such a slope that a pen would roll from the middle of the room to the wall. Robert pushed on the ceiling and it moved as if it was a sofa cushion. But insult to injury almost every room had some type of water damage and we didn’t even make it to the lower level which had a lovely pet smell emanating from it. How is this house renovated? Shot how is this house livable? They would have been better off writing in the listing “MONEY PIT” come at your own risk! It would have been more accurate.
We went to a “recently renovated” house. LOL! So the only things we could determine that may have been renovated were the floors on the main level, the appliances and maybe a scary lower level bathroom. Everything else was from the day the house was built and I’m sure it was outdated then too. But the house could have had potential were it not for the clear and obvious dampness and odor that seemed to exist in the finished basement and master bath. If they recently renovated they should requested a refund because they clearly made the wrong investment.
One common theme in many of the homes we have toured has been damp with odor issues primarily in the finished basements/lower levels. And it begs to wonder why sink money into a space if you refuse to address the elephant in the room! A pig is a pig! Even with lipstick so stop trying to dress up the pig. Even if your air freshener gets through the initial walk through, it won’t get you through inspection or closing without you making big concessions. We’re wondering if we should change our search requirements to read “un-renovated homes.” Because maybe then we will get homes with kitchens and baths from the 2000s with wiring and plumbing up to code, with just maybe no moisture issues. Who knows? But our search continues on…
Check back weekly, we will try to keep you up-to-date on the hunt.