Most experienced construction workers and professional homebuyers do a great job of transforming previously worn-down homes into fully functional and modern properties. You can move in knowing most of the hard work is done, like a new kitchen, bathroom, paint, and flooring.
However, without any specific buyer or occupants in mind during the remodeling process, most flipped homes lack character. They’re waiting on their owners to add that themselves. If you’re in the process of buying a flipped home, here are some helpful tips to improve it for comfortable everyday living:
Hire a Building Inspector
Even before you get stuck into home exterior remodeling, painting, and other personalization tasks, start the process by hiring a building inspector. You may have even already done this as part of your due diligence when buying the home.
Experienced building inspectors perform a thorough inspection of your home to look for defects and upgrade opportunities. They then provide you with an inspection report, which you can use as a road map for both necessary and cosmetic renovations.
Pick Your Preferred Style
Modern, fresh, and neutral are what most professional property purchasers aim for when flipping a home. They want it to appeal to anyone and no one for sellability. When you purchase such a home, think about your preferred style or theme, such as farmhouse, bohemian, mid-century modern, or art deco. Your preferences can guide you as you start making upgrades.
Add Custom and Architectural Features
Most professional homebuyers install off-the-shelf products that enhance a home but don’t necessarily add any character or personality. When you buy a flipped home, you have the opportunity to upgrade standard elements with custom or architectural ones.
For example, you can add new siding and paint it your preferred color. You may even like to install new railings, columns, wainscoting, and crown molding that better reflect the home’s era and your personal tastes. Custom and architectural upgrades aren’t something you have to do all at once, but they are worth adding to your to-do list when you aim to make your flipped house truly feel like home.
Personalize the Paint
Walk into the average flipped home, and you’ll notice that all the walls are various shades of white, beige, and gray. There is nothing wrong with these colors, but they are purposefully nondescript to suit a range of buyers looking for modern and fresh homes.
Depending on your budget, you may like to opt for a full refresh with more inviting and warmer colors. Otherwise, consider adding a painted or wallpapered feature wall in your main living areas for a hint of personality and vibrancy.
Upgrade the Flooring
Gray vinyl planks are commonplace in most flipped homes. While they suit most home decor and are easy-care, they generally lack warmth. If new flooring is on your upgrade list and you’re not sure where to begin, consider installing warm wood flooring or stone-like tiles. Carpet in bedrooms can also bring warmth and definition between living and sleeping spaces. If you aren’t yet in a position to upgrade your flooring, inject some temporary personality with floor mats and rugs.
Replace Fixtures and Fittings
Home flippers do their best to balance value for money and quality. As a result, you typically see the same mass-produced handles, knobs, faucets, and fixtures throughout freshly renovated properties.
While entirely functional, they could be far more beautiful than they are. Think about your preferences and let them guide you during the upgrade process. For example, you might swap out your standard stainless steel faucets for rich brass ones to suit your farmhouse-style preferences. Don’t be afraid to visit your local used building materials business and see the unique options they have available.
Reverse or Replicate Your Home’s Character
Some home flippers purchase a property and quickly dismantle its original character. When you’re in the business of making money, restoring features typically costs more money than replacing them.
However, as the proud new owner of a flipped home, you’re in a great position to give your house back what it lost. If your property has its original doors and floors, refinish them to look like new. You can also install new features that look old and original, like reclaimed brick, aged brass, and brick veneer.
Install New Lighting
With affordability one of the leading factors for lights installed in flipped homes, you can almost guarantee that they won’t suit everyone’s tastes or needs. Start researching lighting options to suit both your home and your preferences.
Opt for multiple lighting options to add depth, such as overhead lighting, wall sconces, table lamps, and floor lamps. Where it doesn’t make sense to install more lights, maximize the available light by removing heavy curtains, installing mirrors to reflect light, and using smart bulbs.
Add Decor
Not everyone is in a position to remodel their entire home after purchasing it. Not having enough funds for a fresh coat of paint or new flooring doesn’t mean you can’t personalize your new home. Bring it to life with artwork, soft furnishings, and floor rugs. These additions can give you breathing room while you work out the more major and costly changes you would like to make in the future.
Work on the Landscaping
Most home flippers will improve the yard until it’s at a tidy standard. They might even paint the fence or install a new mailbox. However, they don’t tend to prioritize landscaping, as most homeowners would prefer to add their own touch.
Sketch out your current yard and start adding in features that would make it a more exciting environment for friends and family to enjoy. Hardscape features, such as planter boxes, pathways, and a patio or deck, can be great starting points. If your newly purchased home is going to be your forever home, you might even want to invest in more significant yard upgrades like swimming pools and spa areas.
Flipped homes are excellent starter homes for most individuals and families. However, there is certainly room for improvement. The tips above can be an excellent foundation for starting your personalization project.
