So, you think you want to buy a fixer upper home on Chicago’s North Shore? While your dreams of renovating a property may be driven by what you’ve seen on real estate or home improvement television shows, it’s important to remember that the reality of updating a home from start to finish can be much more time-consuming, tedious, expensive, and drawn-out than you realize.
As your local real estate expert in Glencoe, Winnetka, Highland Park, Deerfield, Northbrook, Lake Forest, Wilmette, Evanston, Glenview, Riverwoods, Bannockburn, or the surrounding North Shore communities, I am sharing below three things to do before you commit to buying fixer upper homes on the North Shore this year:
Research the location
Not only should you research the location of a home before purchasing, but also look into the zoning. What you may not know is that every community has zoning districts and restrictions surrounding what can and cannot be done to homes within their limits. You will want to take a close look at the zoning of your future Chicago area property before you become too set on what renovations you will do once you get the keys.
Speak with a contractor
Unless you are confident in your ability to do all of the work yourself on your fixer upper home in Glencoe, Winnetka, Highland Park, Deerfield, Northbrook, Lake Forest, Wilmette, Evanston, Glenview, Riverwoods, Bannockburn, or the surrounding North Shore communities, it is wise to speak with a contractor or architect who can assist you in carrying out your vision. One rule of thumb— gather quotes and opinions from several contractors in the area prior to choosing one for your projects.
Contact a home inspector
It is a home inspector’s job to look into any structural problems, in addition to pointing out what needs to be replaced— the roof, for instance. The last thing you want when you begin your renovation projects is to find that your foundation is unstable or a major operating system like the plumbing has failed. If you need recommendations for a home inspector in your area, do not hesitate to reach out! I’ve built a network of contacts in the area and would be glad to help!
Feel free to give me a call with any questions you have about buying fixer upper homes on Chicago’s North Shore! With my extensive industry know-how, I can find the perfect home for your needs!
Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert
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