Where would you start with a fixer-upper and almost no budget?

Start with safety and water, not appearances. Check for active leaks, soft or sagging spots, exposed wiring, and water collecting near the house. Keep children away from anything unstable or sharp. If you find a serious electrical, structural, or persistent moisture problem, pause before covering it up and get qualified help if you can.

Then make a short list by urgency. A new-looking floor can wait if the existing one is safe and dry. A toilet that works can wait too. Fix what could get worse or cause harm, one small area at a time. With under ten dollars, the realistic wins are clearing hazards, cleaning, and figuring out what actually needs repair.

I’d avoid buying flooring until you know what’s underneath. Sheet vinyl may be practical, but don’t lay it over damp, soft, or badly damaged flooring. If hardwood is still solid, cleaning a small test spot might tell you whether it’s worth keeping. For urine stains, the smell can remain in the wood or subfloor, so covering it doesn’t necessarily solve the problem.

For the bathroom and kitchen, separate cosmetic problems from things that leak or don’t work. A loose or failing vanity and worn faucets may deserve attention before a full gut job. Look for usable secondhand materials or community reuse stores, and measure carefully before bringing anything home. Free advice from a local repair or community group might also help you avoid buying the wrong materials.

For the yard, make one safe patch your first project instead of trying to fix the whole thing. Pick up branches, nuts, trash, and anything sharp by hand or with a rake, then check local rules for yard-waste disposal. Gravel can be stubborn, so don’t keep raking if it’s just getting pushed into the soil.

Before planting grass or adding mulch, look at where water goes during or after rain. Clear gutters and downspouts if they’re blocked, and make sure their outlets send water away from the foundation. Don’t guess at reshaping the grade right beside the house, since that can make drainage worse. If water keeps pooling, or the exposed mesh is unclear, leave it alone until you know what it is.