I bought a small house (760 sq ft) back in 2019 with a 4.2% interest rate, and I'm feeling overwhelmed with the repairs that are needed. It's falling apart with cracks in the ceiling, siding issues, and weeds everywhere! I've been told I need a new foundation and to replace my galvanized pipes, which could cost about $40k together. I also need to fix my cracked patio for another $8k. I'm in a tough spot because I can't afford to move until interest rates drop and honestly, I feel like I might not have any equity left in this house since it's such a big mess. I don't have family experience to lean on for advice since I'm the first homeowner in my family. Even my neighbor has only been somewhat helpful by giving me a maintenance list. Right now, I'm trying to figure out what to tackle first with so many pressing issues, like a massive crack in the living room ceiling, a kitchen that flooded last year, and missing tiles in the backsplash. Where should I begin with these repairs?
1 Answer
First off, I highly recommend hiring a good home inspector. They can give you a comprehensive breakdown of the state of your house and prioritize the issues based on urgency. Focus on things like roof leaks or foundation problems first, as those are the serious concerns. From there, you can gradually tackle what’s most important to you, whether that's aesthetics like painting or essential fixes like plumbing.
Thanks for the tip! Do they look at both structural and cosmetic issues?