When you're ready to buy a new house, you may need to buy one that's older than you like so it has a lower price. You might also prefer to buy a house based on its location, which means you might have to settle for a floor plan you don't like. As long as you work with a good contractor, you can still end up in the home of your dreams, at a price you like, and in the neighborhood you prefer. A home contractor can transform a small, outdated floor plan into something you love. Here are some changes that bring a home up to modern trends.
Opening The Kitchen
Older homes tend to have small kitchens that are separate from the living area. Today, the kitchen is the focal point of the home, so it is often combined with a family room. An open-concept kitchen allows you to cook and watch your kids or visit with company at the same time. Plus, when you expand the kitchen, it allows you to transform a tiny space into a gourmet cooking area with an island for food preparation and eating. Opening up a kitchen is something that should be done by a home contractor, since it requires knocking out walls. You don't want to do it yourself and accidentally knock out a load-bearing wall, or the roof could become unstable. When a contractor has to take out a load-bearing wall, it is usually replaced with an attractive column that doesn't take up much room as it supports the ceiling. An open kitchen makes your home seem bigger, and it could even make it easier to sell your home someday at a higher price. Investing in kitchen remodeling is usually money well spent.
Upgrading The Electrical System
Another change you'll probably want to make to an older home is an electrical upgrade. Old homes had fewer outlets than modern homes. Sometimes the outlets aren't even grounded, and they may not have ground fault circuit interrupters that protect you from shock in wet areas. Another problem with older homes is they sometimes used aluminum wiring, which has been deemed unsafe in new construction. Plus, the circuit panel itself may not do a good job of handling modern appliances and electronics, so it may need to be upgraded too. To do all this work, the contractor may need to remove drywall in your home to access the wiring and put in new outlets and lighting. This could be a benefit if the drywall has so many coats of paint that it is bumpy and stained. With new wiring and new drywall installed, the electrical system will be brought to modern standards, and the walls will look much better too.
Remodeling The Bathroom
The living room and bedrooms may be fine after cosmetic improvements like new paint and new flooring, but most old bathrooms look outdated. If you don't like the vintage look, then hiring a contractor to remodel the bathroom will probably be high on your list. Fortunately, money spent on bathroom upgrades is usually a good investment, since future home buyers tend to look for a modern bath and kitchen in a home. Older homes often used tile in colors that are now out of style. Even the bathtub might be a green or yellow color that makes the entire room look ugly. You can have a contractor replace the tile with neutral travertine and put in a modern whirlpool tub and shower with a frameless enclosure. These changes will turn your bath into a modern oasis that impresses your guests and turns the room into a nice place to bathe and relax after work.
While it's nice to find a home to buy that's recently built or has already been remodeled, it is often difficult to do when you need a home near work, school, or a park, and you have your heart set on the specific location. In that case, when you look at homes, imagine how easily they could be transformed by a contractor into a home you'll love.
