Turn a Fixer-Upper into Your Happily Ever After in Henderson

You've patiently searched Las Vegas homes for sale, and you have fallen in love with a fixer-upper in neighboring Henderson. Your future dream home fits just right--the right square footage, the right number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and located conveniently right outside the hustle and bustle of Las Vegas. Perfect!

However (cue antagonistic music), you cautiously wonder if the fixer-upper is your "Yellow Brick Road" to a nice home equity nest egg, or could it lead down the path to a money pit? Listening to the trustworthy and wise advice from our REALTORS®, you create a plan--a scrapbook--of the page-turning journey to your fairy tale dream home in Henderson.

Home Renovation Scrapbook

That was quite a dramatic introduction, but we're not discussing buying a car or even taking an around-the-world-in-80-days cruise. You are designing and investing in your dream home. What could be more memorable and symbolic, quite literally, than constructing a home renovation scrapbook? Further, your scrapbook serves as a heartfelt journal and creative guide to map out a path and stay on track from fixer-upper to fairy tale dream home.

Table of Contents

There are plenty of examples and resources to view or purchase online to help you design your home renovation scrapbook. Additionally, the Las Vegas Valley (including Henderson) offers plenty of arts and crafts stores to purchase a scrapbooking kit, or you can check out one of more than a dozen Clark County libraries for ideas.

Consider the following list to help you get started scrapbooking your Henderson fixer-upper to fairy tale home:

1. Be creative. Brainstorm. For example, the cover of your scrapbook could be a rendering of what your future dream home will look like.
2. Write a table of contents -- the chapter titles to your storybook renovation plan.
3. Each chapter could outline renovation costs room by room and/or system by system -- the heart's appeal (interior renovation) and curb appeal (exterior renovation) of your dream home.
4. You could include chapters for interior decor of wall coverings and furnishings, flooring, appliances, cabinetry, closet space, electrical work, plumbing, HVAC and don't forget the master bath.
5. Does your fixer-upper need a new roof, windows, and doors? Perhaps you've always wanted an outdoor kitchen and a pool or a koi fish pond and a dry-landscape Zen garden.

Dollars and Sensible Dreams

It's your dream home, but be financially sensible about your budget, available time, capabilities, and renovation feasibility. Make a computer spreadsheet to detail the projected and actual costs of the renovation project that you are recording in your scrapbook. The spreadsheet should include estimated costs for materials, labor, building permits, sales tax, contractor deposits and a 20 percent buffer in the event you go over budget.

DIY Labor of Love, Hiring Contractors, or Both?

Decide which renovation tasks you can do yourself and which ones you need to contract out. Be realistic about your skill set, available time, budget, and motivation for hard work and sweat.

When working with home service contractors, be prudent.

1. Vet each contractor before you accept bids. The Southern Nevada Better Business Bureau is a good resource to use.
2. Only work with legally licensed, bonded, and insured contractors. Otherwise, you are putting your finances at risk should an accident occur on your property.
3. Obtain at least three bids from contractors for each section of your renovation.
4. Get everything, including estimates, in writing.

With patience, diligent work, and working with the right people, you can turn your dream home in Henderson a reality. To speak with a professional real estate agent, contact Wardley Real Estate today.