new home upgrades/repairs

[Eric]

We're looking forward to buying our first house and figure, as such, it will have to be a fixer upper... So, I've been thinking about this question: what room(s) would you do first to immediately raise the value of the house, or just make it more enjoyable to live in (considering they're all in need of relatively the same amount of work)? ...and why?

Kitchen, bedrooms, living/family rooms, bathrooms, garage, exterior, landscaping, etc?

[Rich]

Kitchens and Bathrooms are typically the rooms that can add value the quickest to your home. The problem is that these rooms are also the most expensive to update/remodel.
After that I would say it's exterior and landscaping. Curb appeal is a big attraction to new buyers. I've seen homes purchased and then a coat of paint on the exterior - appraised for 20k more.

[grumpydasmurf]

I moved into my condo saying to myself "I'll remodel the kitchen and bathroom after a few months." Well here I am a year later and still havent done it because I am afraid of dust.

My advice: Do what ever needs to be done and is the dirtiest.

I painted everything so I wouldnt have to move furniture, but moving furniture would be easy compared to protecting and cleaning that I now have to do to remodel.

Like my last post said: if your looking to sell do whatever you can do to add curb appeal... but if your looking to stay the exterior can be done anytime as long as it's not leaking.

[Dano]

Eric.. The rooms that are mainly utilized are Kitchen, family room and bedrooms. I would do it in that order and if married, I'm sure your wife would agree. Of course the kitchen will be the most expensive. I'm currently restoring a 125 year old home and when I got to the kitchen...low and behold...it was down and out for 3 months (major structure work). After it was all said and done......it's a real focal point and will be an eye catcher when I sell.

[Eric]

Thank you for the responses... now, I just want to know where to get the money! I see all these home shows & people drop $30k on a room & I'm left wondering where it comes from! ;)
Thanks again! :D

[grumpydasmurf]

Credit is such a beautiful thing...

We can spread the contract ammount into 10 easy payments. Did I mention at 18% interest?

[Glasshousebltr]

Brinks carries money in vast amounts, I'm sure if ya talk to the gaurds real nice................

Bob

[roger g]

I'm presently fixing up a fixer upper and have had some real surprises. I'm presently living in a condo and have zilch in supplies where when I lived in a house I have almost everything or parts of everything. I'm finding that the little things like nails, screws, drywall tape and all the little things have increased dramatically. What hte suppliers lose on the popcorn they make up on the peanuts. Granted everything has gone up but it's the little things that have completely shocked m especially when I usedto have that stuff laying around. I sed to have part cases of nails,pails of different screws, nuts and bolts, plywood, drywall, electrical stuff and plumbing stuff. I feel like crying.

roger