Agents: Freemodel is committed to helping your clients understand, embrace, and participate in the remodeling process. We hope you will share this and future articles with your sellers so they can maximize the sale prices of their properties and empower buyers to make informed decisions.

Home renovation shows make it look so easy: buyers tour a few homes, easily buy one with potential, tear down some walls, install some new tile, and live happily ever after. In the real world, it can be intimidating to approach the home searching process and know what to look for. You could easily overlook a good fixer-upper or a decent house that doesn’t meet your “dream home” standards if you don’t have your core priorities in mind and know where you can be more flexible. More often than not, some standard fixes or renovations can quickly transform an outdated or less-than-perfect home into something that works nicely for your lifestyle, design preferences, and family. Here’s a breakdown of important factors to look out for and keep in mind:

1.Pick a neighborhood (or two)

Finding the right neighborhood for your needs and lifestyle is a great starting point for finding listings that are worthwhile. Different neighborhoods can offer community, relaxation, proximity to good schools, access to conveniences, connectivity to nature, and many other variables that buyers often seek out. If you find a home that needs some extra work but is in an ideal neighborhood, it could be worth investing in for a larger return down the road.

2. Look for good bones and layout

A home with outdated style but a good structure and foundation can be a great starting point for homebuyers who are considering a fixer-upper. A home with “good bones” (a high level of quality and craftsmanship under the surface) can make it easier for a post-sale renovation team to pinpoint the best areas to start updating. In addition, removing walls to open up a space is not overly invasive during a home remodel—now’s the time.

3. Pay attention to underutilized space

When touring a home, be mindful of underutilized space that can be used in more efficient ways. These extra rooms can be transformed into additional bedrooms, a home office, extra storage, a laundry/utility room, or additional living space. Even though a room may not look useful or attractive due to staging, you can do a lot by adding furniture or rearranging the space to make it more useful for your specific needs.

Lara Richmond’s Freemodel project in Hercules, CA

4. Don’t sweat the small stuff

When looking at online photos or touring a home, it’s all too easy to get hung up on ugly or awkward details you may see. Most of these can be fixed quickly and inexpensively, so don’t let these small, less-than-ideal aspects distract you from the bigger picture. Examples of some easy fixes that buyers shouldn’t stress over include paint, wallpaper, hardware, carpeting, lighting fixtures, railings, landscaping, and doors. All of these details can be changed and redesigned to meet your preferences without a huge price tag.

5. Think long-term

Your relationship with your new home will likely continue for many years, and some investments will be inevitable, especially if you are planning on expanding your family, hosting for special occasions, or decorating in a unique way. Be open to investing in some post-sale renovations to make your home as optimal and comfortable as possible. Being able to enjoy your home for years to come will make it all worthwhile.

6. Work with the pros

Whether you have a fixer-upper on your hands, or a new home that just needs a little extra customization and love, Freemodel can work with homebuyers on any post-sale renovation. Our project directors and designers collaborate with homeowners to develop their design preferences, meet their functional needs, and bring their unique vision to life. Freemodel can even start the renovation process when your home is in contract, so that you don’t have to worry about a full renovation taking place as you’re moving in!

Lara Richmond’s Freemodel project in Richmond, CA

We hope that these tips will be helpful to homebuyers like you who are sifting through listings in search of their forever homes! Buying a fixer-upper can be a great way to get a good deal while having a chance to personalize a home to your specific tastes. The work may seem endless, and the projects intimidating, but with some guidance or outsourcing 100% of the post-sale remodel process, you may just end up finding (and creating) your dream home!