So You Bought a Fixer-Upper In Cedar Park? Here are Transformation Tips
First of all, congratulations on your new home! This is a milestone that you should be proud of! No matter how badly your new place needs repairs and fixing up, it’s yours to call home. That’s a feeling that no one can take away.
Cedar Park is also one of the best places to own a home with access to a little of everything nearby. That said, before you move in, you’ll definitely need to take some steps to make it suitable for living. Let’s explore some ideas below.
Structural Integrity Takes Priority
It’s natural to want to jump in and transform your home after consulting with an interior designer (more likely your partner). You may have a bit of money and a thousand different ideas on what you want your new home to look like, but take a moment and give it some thought.
If the property has been unused for a while or is simply a few decades old, your focus should first go to safety. This means ensuring the basics, such as the foundation, walls, and roof, are in good condition. If you start working on other ideas but suddenly realize that the walls or roof need repair, that can set you back.
You have to remember that Cedar Park has a wide range of home styles, and most of them were built in the 90s and 2000s. This means that you have to start getting used to the idea that the 90s were more than thirty years ago. You will also have to remember that homes weren’t built the way they used to be.
Only when you have ensured that the home isn’t going to fall apart should you start looking at other areas. For instance, at this point, you can start looking for a Cedar Park window replacement service, because windows wear out after fifteen to twenty years. This is particularly true if the wood and hinge areas have rotted or warped away.
If you end up needing to replace not just the windows, but also the frames, then consider looking at new materials. You’d be surprised at some of the advancements that have been made when it comes to pest resistance and weatherproofing. Wood looks beautiful, but there are more durable materials on the market today.
The Hire Help or Do It Yourself Dilema
Most people choose to buy a fixer-upper home because it allows them to save considerable amounts of money. As of July 2024, the average cost of a home in Cedar Park was just $460,000, according to RedFin.com. That makes buying a new home simply impossible for those not willing to pay off a mortgage into their senior years.
Fixer-upper homes, particularly the ones in need of extreme renovation, can often be had for less than half the price of a new home. However, people who decide to buy these homes need to remember that the real savings come from doing the fixing yourself. The mistake that is often made is hiring contractors who bill you so much that it invalidates the very point of a fixer-upper.
So what does that mean? It means that you will need to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty. It will mean sitting down and learning how to work on not just simple home-improvement tasks, but even some moderate and challenging problems. If you are willing to do so, then you will be ensuring you make the most of a fixer-upper home.
Try to Maintain the Neighborhood Aesthetic
If you aren’t governed by a HOA, you can certainly choose the style you want to renovate your home in. However, it’s still a good idea to at least try and match the vibe of other homes in your neighborhood. Perhaps one of the biggest reasons for this is that if you ever decide to sell in the future, your property value isn’t going to be abysmal.
At the same time, even if you choose to never sell, Cedar Park has a nice community and a certain charm. It doesn’t hurt to be on good terms with your neighbors, who might not like homes that are loud or eccentric in design.
Of course, you can still give your home a personal touch. Let’s consider the exterior aesthetic. You might notice many homes opting for unique styles when it comes to siding in Cedar Park. You also don’t have to stick with the old stucco material but try something new and interesting.
According to Wilco Windows & Siding, fiber cement is one such option that you can consider. It’s durable as well as pest-resistant and generally comes with warranties in the 25 to 50-year range.
Long story short, Cedar Park is a beautiful suburb that is frankly underrated for what it offers. Not only is it pretty close to Austin, but there’s plenty of fun to be had without going too far.
A fixer-upper home allows you to break into this beautiful Southern life on a budget. Just remember to respect the neighborhood aesthetic along with key principles of home renovation, and you should be set.
