What should I fix first in my old house?

To start renovating an old house, begin with a thorough inspection of the infrastructure (foundation, roof, electrical, plumbing) to identify urgent issues, then create a detailed plan and budget, prioritizing structural fixes before cosmetic upgrades like kitchens/baths, and work from top-down (roof/attic to floors/finishes), ensuring you secure permits and consider preserving original character while modernizing.


What should I fix first in an old house?

start with electrical, this will be necessary for you to insure it properly and be safe while living there. Next, onto plumbing, any renovation and leaks and new fixtures. Third, start from what you want removed. Do that. Then, start from ceiling down on paint, repair and refurbishing.

What is the correct order to renovate a house?

The correct order to renovate a house is to start with planning and design, followed by obtaining necessary permits, demolition, structural work, electrical and plumbing, insulation, drywall, and finally, finishing touches such as painting, flooring, and fixtures.


What adds $100,000 to your house?

To add $100k to your home's value, focus on high-impact, buyer-appealing projects like creating a primary suite, expanding square footage (basement/attic conversion, addition), and major kitchen/bathroom upgrades, while also boosting curb appeal with landscaping, new front door, and lighting. Opening up floor plans, improving energy efficiency (HVAC, insulation), and updating finishes (flooring, countertops) also significantly add value and appeal to modern buyers. 

What are the biggest design mistakes in old houses?

4 Common Mistakes When Remodeling Historic Homes
  • Ignoring Historical Significance.
  • Skipping the Permitting Process.
  • Putting Off Structural Issues.
  • Clashing Historical and Modern Elements.


Home Maintenance and Tool Checklist for 1st-Time Homebuyers | Ask This Old House



What is the 30% rule for renovations?

The 30% Rule is a simple budgeting guideline that says you should never spend more than 30% of your home's value remodeling any single space. For example: If your home is worth $300,000, your maximum budget for a major kitchen remodel would be about $90,000.

What is the 3-5-7 rule in interior design?

Breaking Down the Magic Numbers: The 3-5-7 rule

Arrangements of three, five, or seven items feel more dynamic and natural than even-numbered groupings, which can sometimes look a bit rigid or staged. This principle of decorating with odd numbers is what makes the 3-5-7 rule in decorating so effective.

What devalues a house the most?

5 things to avoid that can devalue your home
  1. Rough renovations. Renovation projects are likely the first thing that comes to mind when people think about increasing equity. ...
  2. Unusual renovations. ...
  3. Extreme customization. ...
  4. An untidy exterior. ...
  5. Skipped daily upkeep.


What salary do you need for a $400000 house?

To comfortably afford a 400k mortgage, you'll likely need an annual income between $100,000 to $125,000, depending on your specific financial situation and the terms of your mortgage.

What is the hardest month to sell a house?

The hardest months to sell a house are typically January, December, and October, due to cold weather, holiday distractions, post-holiday financial fatigue, and people waiting for spring for school schedules. January often sees the lowest activity, longest time on market, and lower prices, making winter the slowest season overall. 

When not to renovate a house?

5 Things NOT To Renovate Before Listing – The Buyer Might Do It
  • Leaks.
  • Cracks in the foundation.
  • Minor electrical or plumbing issues.
  • Pest infestations.
  • Other safety issues that could hurt your home's value and pose imminent risks.


What rooms should you renovate first?

The kitchen and bathroom are often top priorities for many homeowners. Return on Investment: Some renovations offer better returns than others. Kitchen remodeling services and bathroom remodeling projects typically provide excellent value.

What are common renovation mistakes?

A common renovation mistake is making errors when calculating your measurements or dimensions. Addition or multiplication errors can happen easily, even with a calculator, but they can cost you big time. Always triple check your measurements to be sure you purchase the right sized appliances, countertops, and flooring.

What decreases property value the most?

The biggest property value decreases come from major deferred maintenance (like a bad roof/plumbing), poor location/neighborhood factors (bad neighbors, noise, proximity to negative sites like sex offenders), and outdated/poorly done renovations, especially in kitchens/baths, plus a lack of modern appeal, with factors like water damage, bad layouts, and poor curb appeal also significantly hurting value.
 


Where to start when renovating an old house?

To start renovating an old house, begin with a thorough inspection of the infrastructure (foundation, roof, electrical, plumbing) to identify urgent issues, then create a detailed plan and budget, prioritizing structural fixes before cosmetic upgrades like kitchens/baths, and work from top-down (roof/attic to floors/finishes), ensuring you secure permits and consider preserving original character while modernizing.
 

What repairs should I make before selling my house?

Focus on the Big Issues
  • Start with the kitchen. Start with the room where buyers spend the most time: the kitchen. ...
  • Pretty up the bathroom. ...
  • Make exterior updates. ...
  • Time for fresh paint. ...
  • Clean or replace flooring. ...
  • Consider smart home technology. ...
  • Replace hardware. ...
  • Patch the walls.


How much house can I afford if I make $70,000 a year?

With a $70,000 salary, you can generally afford a house between $210,000 and $350,000, but your actual budget depends heavily on your credit score, existing debts, down payment, and current mortgage rates, with lenders often following the 28/36 rule (housing costs under 28% of gross income, total debt under 36%). A good starting point is keeping your total monthly housing payment (PITI) under $1,633, but a lower Debt-to-Income (DTI) ratio and larger down payment increase your buying power. 


How much house can I afford if I make $36,000 a year?

With a $36,000 salary, you can likely afford a home in the $100,000 to $150,000 range, but this heavily depends on your debts, credit, down payment, and location, with lenders looking at a maximum monthly payment of around $900-$1,000 (around 30% of your gross income) for PITI (principal, interest, taxes, insurance). Use online calculators and factor in your full budget, as high-cost areas or significant loans will reduce this significantly, while low-debt/high-down-payment scenarios improve it. 

What is a good credit score to buy a house?

640-699: Qualified for a home loan, but not the best mortgage rates available. 700-749: Strong borrower with access to good interest rates and more home loan options. 750-850: Excellent credit! You'll qualify for the best interest rates and loan terms.

What is the 3 3 3 rule in real estate?

Three months of savings, three months of mortgage reserves, and three property comparisons give you confidence and flexibility. When you follow the 3-3-3 rule, you're not just buying land, you're building a plan that could protect your investment, your lifestyle, and your financial health.


What is the biggest red flag in a home inspection?

The biggest red flags in a home inspection are foundation cracks (especially horizontal or wider than 1/4 inch), structural issues like sagging floors or stuck doors, outdated electrical systems with aluminum wiring, old plumbing with galvanized pipes or water damage, roof problems like missing shingles or sagging, ...

Should I buy a house in 2025 or wait until 2026?

Mortgage Rates Are Stabilizing

After a few years of rate volatility, mortgage rates have mostly leveled out, hovering in the mid-6% range through most of 2025. While buyers hope rates will drop further, most experts predict only slight changes in early 2026—meaning waiting may not result in significant savings.

What are the three F's of interior design?

What are the foundational principles of interior design often termed as the 3 F's? The 3 F's of interior design are Function, Flow, and Feeling. These emphasize the room's purpose, the movement within the space, and the ambience, respectively.


What is the triangle rule in decorating?

The triangle rule can be used to curate all sorts of decor around your home. For example, you can use it to style bookshelves; create triangles by strategically stacking books and other decor objects to make the best use of the space and create interest.

What are the 3 E's of interior design?

Understanding the Foundation: The 3 E's of Interior Design

In professional interior design, the 3 E's—Efficiency, Ergonomics, and Elegance—serve as a core framework for creating spaces that are functional, livable, and visually appealing.