Professional Property Rehab from Start to Finish

Posted: February 8th, 2022

It’s Not Always as Glamorous as it Looks on TV

Turn on HGTV or the DIY network and you’re likely to come across a home rehab show. An investor finds a property that’s a diamond in the rough, draws up plans with an architect, and starts smashing walls with a sledgehammer, quickly transforming it into a luxurious abode with all the contemporary finishes and fixtures you could dream of. Shows like this can make it seem like property rehab is a fun, easy process, so why isn’t everyone doing it? 

The reality is that property rehab isn’t always as glamorous as it looks on TV. Complete property rehab can be messy, expensive, and time consuming, especially when you account for the errors and unexpected twists that often arise during the process. Don’t get us wrong, though: property rehab is a great way to improve the value of your home or to make an older home more liveable. You just need to take the time to prepare! If you’re considering taking on a rehab project for a house in Melbourne, FL, or beyond, read on to learn the why’s and how’s of renovation.

Why People Choose to Rehab Properties

There are a number of reasons why someone might want to rehab their property. The Ellingson Properties team took on a rehab project recently to prepare a home for sale. A customer approached us to sell a half-duplex in Titusville but knew that the home needed some help before it could earn their ideal asking price. They gave us their plan, timeline, and budget, and our team got to work. When it comes to selling a home, our team will sometimes offer suggestions to help the customer get the most bang for their buck; other times, the customer themselves will ask for renovations before selling. For most of this article, we’ll be focusing on rehabbing a home to prepare it for sale. 

In other situations, property investors may look for older or worn down houses to purchase at a discounted price and renovate for rent or sale. Just like the house flippers you see on TV, some investors specialize in renovating older homes for sale. However, we don’t recommend house flipping for a first time investor since the process can become much more complicated than expected. 

Finally, some homeowners choose to renovate their homes even when they expect to spend several more years living there to address safety concerns or upgrade the home’s functionality. Modern technology is progressing at breakneck speed, and that includes home automation and similar technologies. Many homeowners choose to rehab their older homes to provide them with the most modern comforts and improve their property value at the same time. 

Common Upgrades in Home Rehab Projects

Flooring

Outdated flooring can easily age your property by several years, especially when it’s carpet. Carpet collects dirt, stains, and smells over the years that even the most powerful vacuum cleaners can’t extract; after several years, you’ll probably find that your carpeting looks dull and dingy. 

To reduce upkeep and create a cleaner look overall, more homeowners have been choosing to remove their carpets and install hard flooring throughout the home. Modern flooring options include vinyl plank flooring and wood-look tile, giving you the beauty of hardwood floors while reducing your care and maintenance responsibilities. Updating your flooring can take years off the overall look of your home and can make it look and smell much cleaner to potential buyers. 

Kitchens

Many homes feature the kitchen as the heart of the home, combining functionality with beauty to make a space the whole family can enjoy. If the home you’re selling has an outdated kitchen, you’ll have a hard time attracting the attention of potential buyers. Worn out countertops, minimal cabinet space, and even lack of outlets are all signs that your kitchen needs a makeover. 

Updating your kitchen can be one of the most expensive rehab projects you undertake, so be sure to carefully consider your budget before you begin this one. Contemporary buyers look for kitchen features that are beautiful and functional all at once: vent hoods that make a statement, sleek stainless steel appliances, statement lighting, and beautiful yet easy-to-clean countertops. 

Wall treatments

Believe it or not, a fresh coat of paint is one of the easiest and most effective ways to make your home look refreshed and new. As we spend time in our homes, we leave fingerprints, footprints, and general dirt and grime everywhere, no matter how clean we try to be. The last thing a potential buyer wants to see in a home is scummy doors, scuffed-up floors, and marks and scrapes from accidents with kids, pets, and furniture. Don’t forget to include the doors and baseboards, too!

When you’re ready to give your home a facelift, scrub off the heavy dirt and grime and treat your walls to a fresh coat of paint. Light, bright, and soft colors can make any room feel more open and spacious, but dark wall colors are having a real moment in the interior design world. If you have old wallpaper stuck to the walls, it might be a good idea to bring in a professional for removal so you can avoid damaging the drywall. 

Exterior cleaning and repair

Your home’s exterior walls offer a first impression to your neighborhood. The duplex in Titusville that we refreshed had some mildew and stains on the exterior that made it look much older and gloomier. Pressure cleaning and fresh paint brightened the whole home, making it look much more inviting. We also improved the landscaping to add some serious curb appeal. We brought in fresh plants and mulch, repaired dead grass spots, removed dead plants and simply shaped up the rest of the shrubs to make the whole property seem lighter and brighter. 

Many property rehab professionals recommend beginning with exterior renovations for two reasons: to keep your home’s interior protected, and to attract the attention of passersby who may be interested in buying. This is beneficial if you want to quickly sell or rent out your home as you’ll build a list of potential renters or buyers before you’re even finished with your project. 

Extra Considerations Before You Begin

If you do decide to rehab your home on your own, it’s important to make sure you pull all the proper permits from your local government. Without the right permitting, your updates can be seen as liabilities to potential buyers. For large renovation projects like kitchens or bathrooms, working with a contractor is a great way to ensure your work is done to code and documented correctly. 

If you’re rehabilitating your home to prepare it for sale, you don’t necessarily need to upgrade to the latest and greatest in appliances and fixtures. If you browse through our Titusville home rehab gallery, you’ll see that new flooring, fresh paint, kitchen cleanup, and exterior wall cleaning were enough to really brighten the entire home. Don’t spend so much money that you won’t be able to regain it when you sell your home. 

The Ellingson Properties team is here to help with your property rehab projects, whether you’re getting ready to sell or you want to update a home you just bought. Our team members can offer insights as to what upgrades will help you achieve your real estate goals. To learn more, call us at 321-750-7050 today.