Bargain Properties

Houses that are spotlessly clean and tastefully decorated tend to sell quickly, and for top dollar. There can be substantial savings for home-buyers who are willing to purchase a property that needs cosmetic improvements.

When you look at a house that needs work, try to imagine it with fresh paint, refinished floors and new carpet. Consider the attractive features of the home. Would it get more sunlight if the draperies were opened and the windows cleaned? Does the back yard have potential?

Try to distinguish between the cosmetic condition of the house and the state of its structure and major systems. Some fixer-uppers need a lot of professional attention from electricians, plumbers and other expensive professionals, while others are true bargains that can be transformed with a little elbow grease, a paint brush, and your imagination.

A colorful history can add significantly to the value of a home. Researching the provenance of a property you are interested in buying can be both interesting and ultimately profitable. The market value of a home will be greater if it was designed by a notable architect, built by a company with a reputation for the finest construction, or lived in by a celebrity who hosted famous guests.

Ask your real estate agent if there is any historical data of significance associated with the home, or if previous owners were VIPs. Note the names associated with the deed and title to the home, and look them up with the help of the local historical society. Consult the microfiche in newspaper archives for references to colorful details of the home’s past. The county assessor’s office may have records of the date the home was built, and building permits may reveal the name of the architect. When inspecting the home, search closets and attics carefully for hidden historical “treasures”.

Buying an older home at a bargain price, then re-selling when it is renovated and restored can be an enjoyable and lucrative adventure.