Zillow Advice: Buying Process - When buying a new home, what upgrades should be done after move in?

When purchasing a new home, ...

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:07:00 GMT

When purchasing a new home, you will find that most of your cost comes in the form of "upgrades". Builders make a lot of extra income through the buyer's purchase of upgrades.

I will take this question a step further and give my advice on things to do DURING the building process. There are some do's and don'ts I've experienced myself and with clients. Definitely allow the builder to upgrade anything structural - third car garage, extended patio, covered patio. Don't pay extra for the "upgraded" carpeting and padding unless you like paying top dollar and then adding mortgage interest to the cost!

Other items to consider as a DO: gas stub for patio grill, additional landscape lighting, recessed lighting, wiring for surround sound.

Some DON'TS would include paying extra for paint, wood flooring, light or fan fixtures. ALL OF THESE ARE GREAT UPGRADES TO DO AFTER YOU PURCHASE YOUR HOME and can make a big difference when you are ready to sell.

Contact me directly if you have any specific questions at samantharealty@comcast.net

Dear Friend,I totally understand ...

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 21:20:00 GMT

Dear Friend,
I totally understand your question. When you buy a home, AFTER MOVE-IN you first want to upgrade the home to today's standards, meaning your future buyer 5 or 7 years down the road will definitely want something like granite countertops, or wood-floors in their home. Unfortunately when we do anything to our home we must think about what the buyer of our home would like as well; this will save you money when you're getting ready to put your home up for sale because there will not be much to upgrade then, your home will sell faster, and you can move on to the next project. Even though some people may tell you that your upgrades will not add much $$ value to your home, trust me, they will. If you go to a home for sale and the features are old, the carpet is dirty, and the countertops in the kitchen are formica, and you go to the one accross the street and that one features wood floors, berber carpets, and granite countertops in the kitchen, the upgraded one will win even if it is $20K more expensive.
Bottom line, kitchen countertops, and floors are the most important thing, including stainless steel appliances. Then door knobs, lighting fixtures, and then bathroom fixtures.

When you buy a new home, the builder will offer you upgrades before you close, so by the time you move in, your house is ready to go.

Good luck to you.

Hi 7seas,I would assume that ...

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 17:37:00 GMT

Hi 7seas,

I would assume that you are referring to a new house that you are planning to buy from a homeowner. I guess what you can do before closing the deal with the seller is to check for improvements that still need to be done. This way you really know what you are getting. Also indeed it will cost you relatively less doing the upgrades yourself rather than having the seller do it and apply the cost of the materials and the labor to the overall price of the property. Of course you should leave the major work to the homeowner since anyway you would assume that the house is ready for occupancy after you buy it.

I have sold a lot of new ...

Sun, 07 Jun 2009 18:24:00 GMT

I have sold a lot of new homes and most people put in Tile or Hardwoods before they move in. I also see them putting in new light fixtures as it is cheaper to buy them yourself vs the builder putting them in.
Just think about it. You upgrade your light and now you pay for it over the term of your mortage.
Make sure the builder puts in upgrade that are difficult to do after the home is constructed such as a covered patio.
Hope this helps let me know if you have other questions.
Jeff

Are you referring to a brand ...

Sun, 07 Jun 2009 17:38:00 GMT

Are you referring to a brand new home, or a new home to you?

If a brand new home, you should ensure that all systems are waxed/sealed etc. You may need window "treatments" and will need to pay attention to landscaping/irrigation etc. Start saving for the routine things that come around such as furnace, roof, water heater etc . Establish a maintenance schedule for all these systems.

If it is "new to you", then paint, and know all systems so you can start saving for the routine repairs of appliances, drainage, etc.

Paint the walls, clean the ...

Sun, 07 Jun 2009 17:07:00 GMT

Paint the walls, clean the carpets, wax the floors. Save some money for when you need a new roof, need a new furnace, need a new water heater.

I agree. For the first ...

Sun, 07 Jun 2009 17:06:00 GMT

I agree. For the first 6 months or so, I'd say only things you can't live without, or things that are fairly cheap. Although if you have a few weeks where you have 2 places, do the painting before you move in to save yourself a lot of trouble later.

None. First .gGet used to ...

Sun, 07 Jun 2009 17:01:00 GMT

None. First .gGet used to your new monthly mortgage payments plus property taxes and the usual expenses of owning a home.