Can someone please help me find very cheap or free (doubtful but still hoping) home repairs. I am in the process of buying my grandmother's house from her estate and I have taken on way more than I expected. My mother was on the property for the past 10 years and it has never been cared for. I don't want to lose the house I grew up in, I would love my children to grow up in it too. The area is nice, the schools are great, and my husband and I will be getting a home for just a lower price. I just didn't in my wildest dreams imagine the amount of repairs needed for this home. Please help. Any information will be greatly appreciated!
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Hey Amy...I feel your pain! We have a 1807 farmhouse that is in constant need of repairs..but we love it. This is our second house that we needed to completely renovate.
We are lucky to live in an age that you tube tutorials and the internet info is available now! There is nothing that makes your house your own as actually removing old floors, tiling a counter or patching some sheetrock!
Some recommendations- List your projects in whatever order you think is most important to you..(the soundness of your home, your most important rooms to do first or even each project approximate costs and slowly plan one project at a time).
Give yourself a time frame to keep at one project until done.
I have been very lucky to get free and low cost materials when family, friends, neighbors are renovating or when new buildings are going up. I will stop and ask if I see something being thrown out or sticking out of their dumpster when renovating or moving!
Also check out garage and especially moving sales, craigs list FREE or particular household item listings are incredible and any other free newspaper or online listings in your area. You can even write your own ad on Craigslist as LOOKING FOR (free) items. You never know! We have gotten sinks, doors and windows, tiles, wood, bricks, etc! If you have a skill (sewing, cleaning, office, bookeeper, babysitting, plowing, etc) you might even be able to barter with a contractor for their services! Put that in an ad!
Church flea markets are my new favorite since they want everything GONE at the end of the sale and I walked in last week when they offered everything half price or $2 to fill your bag up with ANYTHING!! It was great fun!
I do recommend you keep measurements of items/materials that you need (tile sq. footage, window sizes, etc in your purse)to be prepared for such an opportunity! Carry a measuring tape too.
Lastly, don't forget to look online for alternative, recycled or re- purposed items to use for some traditional items. I just saw the most adorable old keg turned into a bathroom vanity that I absolutely loved! So clever and one of a kind.
Pinterest (as well as our beloved ThriftyFun) is a great place for creative inspiration too!
This is a great opportunity to make your grandmothers home live on in your family with your added flair!
Welcome to home ownership!
Enjoy and best of Luck!
You need to get someone out to inspect the house, list what needs to be done and in what order. First to get it up to code, then what you would consider livable.
I totally understand why you wouldn't want to lose your childhood home. On the other hand, as a parent, you understand that safety considerations trump sentiment. If the home is unsafe now and your time frame for fixing it is going to be years, can you really justify living here? It might be a better idea to allow someone to buy the home who has enough money to renovate and resell (flip) the house.
I suggest you be very thoughtful about this purchase. You will have to do most of these repairs yourself, with the exception of things like plumbing, electric, sewage and grading, which you will have to hire professionals to do in order to be compliant with code. If this is not within your skill level or time frame you will be making a mistake.
Good luck.
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