As an open shelver I can tell you it’s not just the aesthetics that is lacking, it’s the dust, dead gnats, grease in the air from frying, etc. Just don’t do it!
I have limited open shelving. I don't have it next to my stovetop, nor my sink. I love it. I have so many lovely heirlooms that I never got to look at as much as I'd have liked to, and I really enjoy having them where everyone can see them.
For real. I just bot a cute piece of furniture for some kitchen things (cute French door on it) and I keep my other chatzkies in a curio also. 😅😅 (Plus my cats would prob break stuff anyways so open shelving is def a no go for me lol). And for real. I don’t want to have to dust and clean that much either. Lol.
@karenholmes6565 I love my open shelves too. I clean them daily when I get back from work. First thing I when I enter the kitchen, together with wiping down countertops.
Thank you for this comment, I was considering this.😂 I have a smaller kitchen and need more space.. I didn't even consider any of those things..ADHD brain.❤
We bought a house with a pool in our elder years. We know it's an expense and liability, but we love it. We've worked hard our entire lives, and it's just so nice to spend the day floating on the water with one another. We live in the pool all summer.
Again an example of someone that planned. It's great Jackie you are a treasure for the real estate business. I gladly worked with. Someone of you caliber and the guidance was priceless and wisdom has stood for decades always thanked that man for years afterward. It seems you probably get that respect as well.🤔🤔🤔
@MarilynFromTarotClarity the number of people who regret the pool va the number of people like you who don't is substantial. I grew up with pools and never grew out of them or tired of it, so I would absolutely get plenty of use from having one, but most people aren't that way. It's quite refreshing to hear of older people who really get the use of their pool bc all we ever hear about is "it's for the kids" when adults can still enjoy them, too.
love our pool, being in Texas we use it from late March into November- all our children are grown and out of the house, wife and I are in it all the time and I do all the maintenance myself.
I was nervous (cost) about getting a house with a pool with no kids but ended up loving it. In SoCal, so that matters with climate. We didn’t plan on having kids but now it’s amazing as kiddo loves it of course
Best advice you gave = live in your house for a year before planning any big changes. Our house was built in the 40s. After living in it for a year, our plans for it have changed dramatically. We are so grateful that we didn't jump into a big renovation before experiencing the house as it was and learning what actually worked and didn't work for us.
In our house changes, before moving in, fix/repair the main bathroom. Many times a 25-50 year old bathroom needs to be changed. In our current house, I could not stand up in the shower. So we changed the 36x30X 6ft high shower stall freed up the wasted 1 day shower kit space(6 inches on each side) and converted it into a shower of 4 feet wide by 5 feet by 42" trapezoid space 8 feet high. It took 10K to do, but we love being able to stand up in the shower(fully tiled) and not hit the walls when trying to wash your hair. The shower handle is in easy reach and the shower head is over 6' 5" high. Always think about the bathroom before moving in. A clean bathroom is the best way to start in a new house.
Now that I'm old I find that to be a good thing. The challenge of fixing and improving things keeps me from melting into my easy-chair and becoming decrepit. It keeps you fit in both mind and body.
I bought one of those big play structures for my kids when they were 3 and 5 years old. They LOVED it! They played on that thing for many years. When they were in school, they'd invite friends over and head immediately into the back yard (MUCH better than heading into the living room to play video games). We live in California, and they could use it starting in March or April usually through October or even later. When they got a little older they turned the slide into a water slide with a hose at the top and slip & slide at the bottom and went zooming down the slide and across the entire yard. Sure, it's not going to still be popular when they're teenagers, but I consider it money extremely well spent. If your kids enjoyed yours for 5 years, I'd call that a huge win. How many of their other toys did they play with for 5 years?
@@RobotDecoy2 Oregon has rain for so much of the year. I used my play structure for years. My younger cousins used it after me. A good decade plus of use. Easy to remove and replace it with something later. My parents put expanded their garden when I grew up.
my idea about my house is this: they can drag me out when i'm dead. I will make it exactly the way i want it. too many people worry about what the next buyers will think. that's the kind of absence-of-freedom that homeownership is supposed to do away with!
Right! Or plan your weird renovations with a budget to convert back, or at least normalize a bit more, when you're ready to sell. Or accept that you won't get as competitive of a price.
this is mostly about people that buy houses and don't intend to die in them. if you're planning to live out the rest of your years in that home, then yeah fk it do whatever you want, resellability doesn't matter if you're not gonna be around to watch it be resold. but so many people just buy houses and then move out 5-10 years later and it's like... what did you buy it for? and if you did abnormal or unsellable renovations to it during that time, you are gonna face those consequences. edit: some people are also unable to stay in their homes for the rest of their years and there are also countless life-happening factors that could dictate whether or not somebody stays in a home they bought. at the very least, it would be good to maintain a reversion budget if you do something super wonky to your home in case you unexpectedly have to leave.
Make sure the roof is good, water heater, AC unit, fence, deck, windows, landscaping, plumbing...are ALL good before spending $$$ for "fluff" stuff. The fluff stuff can wait until your home is all up-to-date on maintenance.
@@mg1822 So true! The fluff stuff is mostly about preference. The maintenance stuff matters most for living in it or for selling it. This past year we did new ductwork, fencing, landscaping/drainage, gutters, dry rot repair and exterior paint. Well worth it! Everything else was already newer and in good repair. So, now we feel good about moving forward with some of the preference upgrades we’d like to do.
This is exactly what I’ve been doing with my condo. Over the past 3 years, I have replaced the windows, sliding glass door, electrical panel, outlets, switches, washer and dryer, furnace and hot water heater. I’m now replacing key pieces of furniture and then will replace the flooring.
I always felt having a pool was a waste until at 51, I purchased a home with a pool. It is now my most favorite part of the house. I love looking at it, sitting near it and of course jumping in.
I have lived in farmhouses on and off most of my life, and I can tell you that open shelving is not a thing. A real farm is dusty, very dusty. Gravel roads, farm vehicles kicking up dust year-round, not to mention harvesting time. The last thing you need is open shelving, so you have to wash the dust off your plates before you eat.
Also flies! I grew up on a dairy farm and when married lived on a beef farm. Flies are a real problem. Nothing worse than taking a bowl down and discovering the carcass of several flies there!
I agree - and even though my kitchen (rental) has no open shelving, I still store the cups and glasses upside down. Keeps the cat hair out of my lemonade.
The farmhouse trend is just now getting big in Georgia, USA. It was barely catching on 3 years back. It is really going strong now, 2024. I figure in one decade, the trend will be old hat.
I live in Arizona. An outdoor kitchen is essential here. I use it at least 4-5 times a week especially in the summer because it keeps the heat out of the house. The pool is also well used here-heating it isn't an issue either. We use the pool from from late March to early October. Certain renovations will depend on where you live and your market.
Best advice ever to live in your house at least a year before major changes. When I bought my house I was going to tear down walls, change bathtubs into showers, doing this and doing that. I have since changed my mind. Living in the house makes a huge difference. Stuff that bothered me when I first moved in is not a big deal to change now. And grandiose ideas that I had I don't want anymore.
My take aways from this video 1. Luxury things cost lots and need ongoing maintenance....if you are have lots of money and like spending it...go for it! 2. Resale should only matter if you're planning to move....I am building my last home and plan a min of 30 years to live in it...I don't care what my resale value is at the expense of the house not working for me. Great video!
@@tjomha So, so , so many people say that. This is my home for life. You don’t know what’s coming down the line. Of course, make the house suit you, but never assume you won’t be selling it at some point. I said the same thing 8 years ago when I bought my home; now things have changed and the rest of my renos are keeping in mind that in 5 years, I am selling it and moving on.
I bought my current house five years ago. The kitchen has black appliances. I hated them. But they work well and replacing them would be pricey. So I live with them. They’ve faded into the background and I’ve saved thousands.
These days I’m just happy I have a house. An old, outdated, 1970’s split level that I’ll probably never be able to afford to do anything at all to besides maintain in a liveable condition. Heck, I couldn’t even afford to buy this same house if I had to buy it today.
@@biblia843 its what I ended up getting and honestly love it. Needs tlc of course but I really enjoy having a Not-open floor plan. Each room feels like its own space
I think on average a 4-5 bedroom is the most families typically need. So I can see converting the sixth into a closet being a nice selling point. But the smaller family homes would probably not be a smart idea
It most certainly depends on how many bedrooms you have to begin with. A three bedroom home is the most typical house. You don't turn a three bedroom into a two bedroom, it won't sell. Taking a four or more bedroom into a three bedroom will help to resell.
I'm in Michigan, and the housing market here over the past 7-8 years has been unprecedented. Houses that were purchased for $130K in 2015 are now going for $590K. These are tiny, poorly constructed 950-square-foot homes in quiet, mediocre neighborhoods. Meanwhile, nicer, average-sized homes in better neighborhoods that were over $300K a decade ago are now selling for $750K+. It's wild.
I've been in touch with a financial advisor ever since I started my business. Knowing today's culture The challenge is knowing when to purchase or sell when investing in trending stocks,house buying and selling , which is pretty simple. On my portfolio, which has grown over $900k in a little over a year, my adviser chooses entry and exit orders.
bravo! I appreciate the implementation of ideas and strategies that result to unmeasurable progress, thus the search for a reputable advisor, mind sharing info of this person guiding you please?
The decision on when to pick an Adviser is a very personal one. I take guidance from ‘’Stacy Lynn Staples’’ to meet my growth goals and avoid mistakes, she's well-qualified and her page can be easily found on the net.
@@danielle-q1t bathroom upgrades - they get used everyday and guests use them room Same for kitchen Go for clean, quality, classy and only add one or two extravagant upgrades
Instead of a pool or play structure, I sent my kid to summer camp for a month. They are Socializing, taking swimming lessons, sailing, no phones, Never bored. Loved it!
Even a trampoline; it just sits there, taking up space and collecting leaves. Our kids played on it for less than a year. The kids are too busy with after-school activities.
Building a pool IS what we knew would bring our kids' friends over to OUR home, and that's what we wanted. Those years passed quickly, but now it's the grandkids who love being in the pool all summer long (and here in Vegas, that's a long summer!)
Better lighting makes such a big difference! I did convert a bedroom into a walk-in closet and main bathroom in my house. It’s a very old home and one bedroom was only accessible by walking through another bedroom. It made the house better, it has enough bathrooms now (I added 2) and it still has 4 bedrooms remaining.
You are spot-on in this video, especially when one turns a garage into living space. You only have to live in a house with a detached garage to learn "never again". Another huge waste of money is a movie-room. The space is relatively inexpensive, but the furnishings are not cheap. When friends are over, no one wants to be completely isolated, especially for live sports on TV. Re the appliances: do a lot of research. There are a number of repair guys on TH-cam that will tell you what brands to (not) buy. Go with the simplest refrigerator that meets your needs--and take a pass on the ice-maker and water dispenser in the door. Those two "upgrades" are responsible for 80% of refrigerator repairs. Eliminate as much of the electronic "features" as possible on your appliances (especially the W/D and the Dishwasher) as you will use the basic functions the majority of time.
I have an outdoor kitchen which we use year round. I also have a dedicated movie room which we use regularly. My kids have their friends over to watch movies on the weekends. I utilize my garage to park and charge my Teslas. I also use my garage to work on projects and have a home gym in the back. During Covid, I installed a 65” oled tv, stereo with 7 speakers and a subwoofer.
I used to have a 1958 Norge refrigerator. It was my only refrigerator. It finally died after I'd had it for 25 years. I paid $25 dollars for it, so $1 per year of use. :) I bought a dented, black Frigidaire, no ice or water dispenser, for $600. It's good-sized (free standing, so no restrictions), and I have no regrets. The dent is on the side and barely noticeable. The other issue with garage living spaces is that they are ground level, so you run the risk of getting water in there during a heavy rain.
I’ve had appliances for 15 yrs in two different homes (fridge with water and ice maker on the door, stoves, dishwashers and washer and dryers). Not a single appliance has ever broken down.
Different strokes for different folks, I guess. I'm married to an Energy Conservation Engineer who strictly limits the number of times we open the refrigerator or freezer. I finally can get myself a glass of ice water from the door dispenser without getting a lecture.
Renovated our bathroom and it in one of those big, white, free standing tubs. Lived with it for 6 years and never regretted it for a minute. Easy to clean , long enough to lay my legs completely out, and deep enough to completely submerge. Absolute heaven. Really miss it now that we’ve downsized into a condo, and it absolutely helped with the sale of the house.
Great as long as all costs are included and realistic. Her warnings are prudent and sadly many don't know to ask. Thankfully you weren't one of the unprepared🤔🤔
The only one of these I did during our renovation (which we did years after buying our house) was a big deep free standing tub. I have loved it and used it almost daily for 5 years. Know yourself and what you love. My baths are my ‘me’ time. Great video!
Something else to consider about swimming pools and spas: they add $200+ to your monthly utility bill because the pumps and heating systems are extreme energy hogs.
Depending on where you live you can do things that limit the cost of heating your pool. There are solar pool heating systems that effectively use the sun to heat the water by pushing it through black hoses that are in the sun all day, recirculating the water.
Not even close we have a heated salt water pool and spillover spa with led lights and a 2400 sq feet home and our total electric bill is 250 at most a month and during the “winter” it’s about half of that. We live in southwest Florida
@@branfashionistad7579 Electricity probably costs a lot less where you live. California is is rather expensive. This summer I spend about 300 to air condition my 1000 sq ft home. It got up to 120 degrees here on the hottest of days, my AC never stopped.
What a great and useful video! I am 54 years old, moved into my third house and I agree on all the points inside and outside the house. My wife wanted one of those swimming spas and after I did my homework we found out you must change the water every few months, thousands of gallons down the grass, also she was thinking a big outdoor kitchen and we realized it would be grossly unused; we spent thousands of dollars on a big gazebo but is gonna last quite some time because we build it ourselves and we just purchased the materials, recently we added a large cement pad for cars which is going to be very well used. and a vinyl gate to keep them safe. Also, waiting for a year before renovations is a great idea! we learn we didn't like the flow of the kitchen due to a wall in between it and the entry room and we knocked down the wall and build a big island with electrical outlets and that added tons of space as well. And we saved tons of money by building it my wife and I. We bought a piece of granite remnant at home depot and it was a fraction of the cost. By the way, we have one of those huge soak tubs in our bathroom and we hate it! is difficult to clean, too tall to get into and we are planning to get rid of it asap. It's a great idea to tackle the maintenance thigs first and then the cosmetics ones. I installed my own water softener and a sediment prefilter that has been a great addition to our home, the clothes come cleaner, our skin does not feel like sandpaper and our appliances will last longer. Our water heater and hvac system are new so no worries there. the wife just have to have a little patience and bathrooms will be next. 😁
I double-insulated the ductwork in my attic. Reflective bubble pack. Got it from Innovative Insulation in Texas. Cheaper than the depot. Created air space between the 2 layers with 1X2. taped it in place. Ducts now blow 56 degrees. Next are the windows.
Agree about fixing first and cosmetic stuff later. My mother in law spent years bitching that our house doesn’t look like a magazine. It was a major fixer upper Aka money pit. Fix first!!! Decorate later. She complained that my art wasn’t hung…before we had the floors professionally refinished. I guess I’m supposed to run around dusting everything while they are sanding floors so she has nice walls to look at??? What the..???????
So I built the outdoor kitchen. I love it! BUT... I did it different. I am at the foothills of Colorado so yes, we get snow. I enclosed it but the sides open up when I want and it's next to my detached shop. I tapped into the gas line and it's heated for the winter. The structure was my biggest expense material wise but I provided all the labor. I outfitted the inside with all the fixings that the people who are remodeling their house and giving nice stuff away because it's not the latest and greatest. Free granite counter tops (Granite is pretty easy to cut and polish edges, but it's heavy). Free stainless steel double oven. Free stainless gas cook top. Bought two upper end Wagner grills on the cheap because the old owners wanted the latest. Cleaned them up and they look new now! I cook outside every day so the house doesn't smell like dinner. (Although sometimes I want to smell what's cookin' inside).
@@somedayDefect Some of the best lunches I've had were on a cross country ski trail. My outdoor kichen will have a roof, probably be screened in, and maybe have wall panels that can be put up if it's windy.
@@billvojtech5686 I love that type of cooking channel.. I think the one I enjoy most was on PBS.. it was called New Scandinavian cooking.. I always want to jump into the tv.. lol..
The best investment I ever made was during my kitchen remodel. I bought a sub zero stand alone fridge and stand alone freezer, a Viking range and a high end dish drawer. The only piece I have replaced is the dishwasher and that’s because I didn’t realize I needed one with a built in filter because of my hard water. My sub zeros and Viking are going great at 25 years old!
Please between the manufactured hardwood floors, the gad awful tile on a backsplash, and the open shelving makes any home look like a very cheap apartment.
We got our wooden play structure during covid when we learned that our neighborhood could close the neighborhood playground indefinitely if they chose. I had four kids at the time ages 10 down to 2. It was perfect for us, not extravagant, but nicer than I ever had as a kid. Today I have six kids ages 13 down to 4 months and we still get a lot of use out of it. If you only have two kids- yeah maybe not worth it (although I would still get a metal swing set in that case), but if you have more than two or the ages are spaced out a lot- definitely worth it in my opinion. I started a preschool playgroup with other moms from our church and it's great for that too!
I live in Rochester, NY and when I was looking for a home, I told my agent "no pool please". The nearby beach, waterpark, or the YMCA is good enough for me. My family had a pool in our backyard when I was in middle school and high school, and my parents said buying that pool was the biggest financial mistake they have made in the history of their marriage.
Seems like really good advice to me. Just the hassle and maintenance turns me off of the idea also takes up so much yard space and new houses don't even have yards just little strips.
Especially in Rochester, NY. “Pool Season” is distressingly brief, and the potential for the lengthy winters to inflict damage on the pool and systems is huge.
@@kcindc5539 I'm near the Seattle area and it's the same thing just not as harsh winters just rainy and overcast not pool season weather just easier to go to a community center or water park with the kids. A hot tub outside the house on the back patio might be more useful but not sure about the water bill cost and maintenance if that would even be worth it.
@@bartsullivan4866 my cousins in Utica NY (east of Rochester) went the hot tub route and used it year round. There was only one problem. Just beyond their property line was the tower for a local TV station including a live weather-cam viewable 24/7 on the station website. Yep, every time Amy and Jim went into their hot tub (often without swimsuits) they were on display for the Channel 3 viewing audience.
I totally agree about living in the home a year before doing major renovations. Honestly, how I thought I'd live in the home when I purchased it is not how I am living in it.
Never understand people who are prospective buyers and arrive with their interior decorator and the things you hear make you think -- thought of that also, but that will never work in this house.
Just bought new appliances for a new house; I want items that will LAST so I bought the most basic fridge I could find (doesn't even have an ice maker) along with a basic off-grid propane range. The extra features are what causes failure/replacement within a few years.
@@spaceghost8995 A full size propane stove/oven that uses a small 9v battery for ignition. Most all gas/propane stoves won't work if the power is out. I went with Kodiak.
Re: high-end appliances. My appliances in my condo were original. I was on a single income, but wanted to update my oldish stove. A coworker asked me…”Does it still work? Can you boil water on the stove?..if yes, keep it! He was so right. I was looking to get rid of my stove solely based on wanting to modernize my kitchen to look good. Crazy!
A lot of older appliances are just simpler to operate and simpler to maintain. Fancy computer displays mean sensitive circuit boards that do not like water/condensation/heat. That said, we did receive a gifted washer and dryer set that are a chunk larger than our previous set. Reducing the number of weekly loads of laundry by a third was a major win with several small kids.
Older appliances were built to last longer. We keep our harvest gold stove until an oven element burned out I we couldn't find a replacement part. That stove had to be at least 40 years old. It was quite a conversation piece. The same thing happened with our furnace. It was from 1944. It worked over 50 years until a a part failed and a replacement couldn't be found. The next furnace lasted 8 years. The one after that is 12 years old and, fingers crossed, is still working. These latest ones were/are high efficiency Lenox units that we were told to expect 10-15 years use of.
My parents bought a repo home about 2010, with all the appliances stripped out. They knew it was going to be expensive, but when the only way to get the correct width range was to spend $6k on a Viking because that was all that would fit the project became less enjoyable.
My husband wants to update everything. I keep telling him let's wait until it dies but I let him update the fridge. So far that's been working really well.
You are so right about high end appliances. We did that at our last home and we hated all of them. The cheaper ones actually function much better and last longer. Learned our lesson.
My high end appliances including a glass door SubZero fridge and Wolf Range we have had zero problems with them after 8 years. They are the jewelry of the kitchen.
@@sheneedsme our high end kitchen appliances (refrigerator and dishwasher) lasted less then 12yrs. Actually we went through 2 dishwashers in 15 yrs 🤦♀️ My in laws had the same issues!
I went from a 4 bedroom 1 bath to a 3 bedroom 2 bath (master with en suite bathroom). In addition, I took the existing doorway to the former bedroom into washer/dryer closet so there's no need to take the laundry to basement. So having the extra bathroom and laundry closet adds functionality and more modern features.
Literally anything you buy for your kids they will get bored with eventually, the fact that your kids enjoyed it for 5 years is good, not a waist at all.
My parents had 4 of us, with an 8 yr age gap from youngest to eldest. The things they bought for my eldest brother, like a swing set, etc, were enjoyed by all of us for over a decade. I suppose if you have two kids spaced close together, or just one kid, that wouldn't be the case though
If you host a lot family and friends for parties and have several kids its probably not a bad investment but for an only child it would probably get old fast.
The best high end appliance I’ve ever had, that’s worth it, is my 48” Wolf stove with double griddle on top. The griddle has opened up a world of cooking options that I never had before and it’s used even more than the oven!
I do not have the room for a 48 inch stove, but I would love one. In the 50s, 48 inch stoves were much more common. Grills, built in crock pots, double ovens, or warming ovens.
I lived in a house with the whole Thermidor equipment - warming lights, griddle, warming oven, shelves to put cooked food on under the warming lights. It had everything. The house had everything from an extensive ladies and then a gent's closet - large, his even had a chair to sit in for a shoe shine. Also a teak closet for furs, cashmere and woollens. The house had a tennis court and a cafe cottage with microwave, ice machine, fridge, sink and even a bathroom. Then the pool with two bridges with water flowing out of both which were attached to the fountain. Also had a swim up bar with stools made just like the pool. Had our own private spa and sauna off of the master bedroom. A TV room with another bar and junk boxes, even a coke machine. And, of course, an exercise room with mirrors and ballet bars. The Butter Pantry held all my silver and fine china. It too had warming lights. When I first entered this home, I thought it the most beautiful in the world with chandeliers everywhere and a double stairway with lots of room for chairs, table, plants, etc. Had to live in it for two years before I found the house to decorate it - was an interior designer so simply enriched and embellished its great features. When we had to sell, a lady came and said "I have always wanted to visit a house that would knock my socks off -- well she is sockless in the house.
Wow! This has some of the best advice I've seen online. Especially waiting after buying to renovate and budgeting an extra 20% on all renovation projects. Spot on!
I realized right away, I do love grilling. So, I built my own outdoor kitchen. And she's right. I made sure the money I put into it was proportional to my personal use year round, and the enjoyment I'll get out of it. So, I didn't spend too much to build it. Also, living in the PacNW near Seattle, having a patio cover/roof over your kitchen is a must.
We have an outdoor kitchen and it’s our primary kitchen for most of the year. Only when it gets too cold to eat outside do we stop using it. The way I view it is; if you’re not going to using it regularly go small. If you’re going to rarely use it get a regular bbq.
HGTV convinces homeowners to do many things I wouldn't do. Replace all your solid wood cabinets with sawdust particle board for a clean line look. Open concept when some homes it really doesn't fit.
@@kennethhughley1611 yep. We have solid wood custom cabinets they're not perfect and a little off square but they work great. Wouldn't change them for the cheap crap out there if you paid me.
@@Pknuckles1804 My wife and I bought a home last year as we inspected the house we were looking at all the solid wood cabinets and brass hardware. I took a drawer to Sherwin and got them to color match it, got some Brasso for the hardware. We installed quartz countertops and Moen faucets, removed wallpaper and painted, installed new mirrors, removed the laminate floors and installed real hardwood floors and porcelain tile. I love the durability and new look!
I grew up in a home that was somewhat open concept for its time. Noise travels. Dirt travels. Clutter travels. I can't understand why anyone would want a line of sight from your dining table to your kitchen sink. I think the home renovation programs of 2040 will involve homeowners replacing the walls that Chip and Joanna tore out.
@@erynlasgalen1949 It's for the helicopter parenting. Most open plans should be loaded with cabinets & other storage spaces to contain the clutter. Clutter is a personal problem, not an open plan problem. Don't want people seeing the clutter? Then it should be good motivation for a cleaning routine or to hire a cleaner to help out once in awhile.
Open shelving in Earthquake country (California) is a big no-no. First little jolt and all your glassware is on the floor in pieces. My parents - just before the Northridge Quake in 1994, just remodeled their kitchen. They had one upper cabinet that was open/doorless in which they placed all their glassware. After the quake, there wasn't two square inches in the kitchen that wasn't covered in glass shards. Doors on those upper cabinets, people.
YES! GREAT ADVICE that I have followed 🙂Live in the house for at least a year before you do anything. Deep clean & paint, then decide. You'll save yourself 10's of thousands of dollars and a lot of aggravation.
Great advice although I disagree with freestanding tubs being difficult to clean. Unless someone never uses a tub and thus doesn't need one, these are infinitely easier to clean than any other tub configuration. I just cleaned mine last night and it took me less than 5 minutes since I can move all around and not have to kneel on one side and lean over the edge to get the opposite side.
True old farm houses didnt have open shelves, islands or open concept. Usually tiny , dark closed off from rest of home to keep cooking fumes and grease away from furniture.😮
My husband and I watched our retired neighbor go all out on their backyard during the pandemic. They spent well over 200k on a pool, outdoor kitchen, deck, elaborate planters, multilevel concrete areas and a fire pit. It is gorgeous. However I’ve only seen them outside entertaining people about 3-4 times a year since they completed it. We had a pool at our last house, loved it and used it every weekend for about 3 years. Then it became a very expensive dog pool for our golden retrievers. We do not want a pool at our new house no matter how nice it might seem on a 100 degree day. The monthly expenses for pool maintenance are ridiculous, especially if you only use it occasionally..
We have an outdoor kitchen and pool and use one the other or both almost every single day. Yes, chemicals are expensive, but its worth it in Texas, imo. Guess it just depends on what you enjoy.
@@franquil85conn Yeah, I think it just depends on many factors. I also live in Texas. Definitely prefer not having a pool, again for a number of different reasons. We definitely enjoyed the pool at the old house when my son was in elementary school.
Have had in inground pool since 2002. My wife and I enjoy it everyday for 4 months in NE. Had it so long it’s easy to maintain after initial opening. I open and close the pool myself takes 2 hours open and close saves 800. Spent 6000 new liner 4000 new cover. Kids enjoyed it when they were younger and still come over in summer w friends. Initial cost back the 22000 pool 9000 concrete deck 4000 cover 7000 fence. Lifetime of memories good times lot of gatherings…priceless
It confuses me why people want their kitchens to look like restaurant kitchens that do have the open shelves and the higher end appliances. Restaurants need the open shelves to grab dishes quickly to push out diner orders and need expensive commercial equipment because they will be using them heavily and very frequently.
It is obvious that everything you said is from years of experience from working with clients. I hope people listen so they don't make mistakes they regret. We are in our 60's and finally got our forever home. It had a pool. We live in Arizona so it is hot most of the time. We didn't realize just how much time it would take to maintain a pool, which was far more than the time we spent swimming. Because the pool was older, parts were breaking and needing replacing. Neighbors on both sides had trees that constantly shed in our pool. We also spent $2000 in our first 2 years in our home in pool repairs. We decided to have the pool removed. It was very costly, but a decision we don't regret. We no longer have to worry about the daily maintenance, maintaining proper chemical balance and replacing parts. We can now just enjoy our larger yard. Everything else you said was also dead bang on. Excellent video, Thanks
I think the backyard kitchen fits us well down here in South Texas. We bbq every other weekend and have family/friends over. Cheaper than a restaurant and more space if your dining area is not spacious.
While I took a lot of this personally, I do respect your honesty, and begrudgingly admit that you are correct on just about all of your observations :(
Im in Oklahoma... I love my outdoor kitchen. I spent $800 on it, its very modest. We use it several times a week. A 6 person bar is next for about double the price. I love my above ground pool and a hot tub is on the way. We spend as much time outside as inside.
@@jenn541 i grew up with a pool in our backyard. Built a house my husband wanted pool! I told him we will go to Attorney and set up contract that says Im (me, wife, Mom) doing nothing to maintain that pool. People have no idea, if you have to choise between foid on the table and the pool maintainance,guess what comes first? The pool owns you!
Here's a tip: Don't try to renovate as fast as you can. Its ok to work on 1 or 2 rooms or projects per year. If you renovate everything in one shot then you risk dating your home to that particular time of when you renovated it. For example the early 2000s tuscan kichens with travertine floors or the 2012 all gray homes. Take it slow. Theres always something new in interior design being introduced. Spread it out a bit and don't date your upgrades and decor to one particular time.
I have a Tuscan 2000 kitchen with travertine flooring! Fruit wallpaper border and all with cobalt blue countertops! My ceramic rooster is right at home! We got a great deal on our house because of it and carpet and we couldn’t be happier! ❤
People need to understand that a house will change with you and flexibility is the key. People should keep in mind that even if you don't sell, your own tastes and needs will change over time. Live in a space for a while before making big changes. A pool is great if you're a swimmer and willing to do all the upkeep and can afford it. Kids' structures are not permanent (they grow up). Appliances - will always depend on how much cooking you really do and what features you need. If I had a garage I would not convert it --- because of winter.
Concerning the bedroom to walk in closet conversion..Yes, you lose the customers who need an extra bedroom, but you gain a lot of customers who need a large walk in closet for their own clothes. For either group changing an existing house for their needs is more hassle than buying a house that already caters for their needs. Different kind of people have different needs, all houses can't be all things for all people.
@@ingvarhallstrom2306 there are far less people in the buyer pool looking for an extra walk-in closet in a house than people looking for an additional bedroom
Got it! Lived in ours for 10 years before renovating. Went for functionality as well as resale value. Still here. Starting to update. Since the major stuff was done, most is cosmetic. Paint, light fixtures, flooring. Thanks for the info.
I had an outdoor kitchen built 20 years ago and I use it as much as I can. I think that it was money well spent. Buying quality stainless steel appliances that will withstand the elements is key.
I love having a summer kitchen, just like the old days our grandmothers had. If you don't know it's a second kitchen off the regular kitchen and it's all screened in.
Or it's a finished basement kitchen; my Italian aunts had basement summer kitchens before central air; they made their spaghetti and meatballs in a cool basement!
All this depends on demographics, right?! I’m now retired, moved into my forever home in Florida. We use the outdoor lanai/kitchen/pool as much as the great room. I also converted my 3rd garage into my man cave and I use the room constantly. Thank you for the list… good advice.
It’s all about where you live for sure. My wife and I live on the Pacific Ocean in Nicaragua and a pool and a covered lanai/patio are necessary here. The majority of people purchasing homes in our house’s price range will not buy a home without a pool and covered outdoor space.
We had a pool for many years it was so Beautiful. - but then as we got older it was harder to maintain. The opening and closing, the chemicals the constant skimming., and then there is the weather, so many negatives ! because you are tired and older. We had it filled in and built a huge deck off the kitchen. We are so glad we did it. We had our day with it. Great memories.
We have a smaller backyard which was all grass and then converted it into a paver patio, privacy fence, with a smoker grill - nothing at all crazy, outdoor TV and hot tub, with a flower garden, and a artificial grass turf for the dogs to do their business. We absolutely LOVE it! Its our favorite part of the house. Getting to enjoy the outdoors from your own backyard pays back dividends to your mental health. We live in Ohio - and yes, we use it year-round. Winter is the best hot tub season! I agree with everything else on her list.
When I renovated my house I made sure to fix issues and make it easier to age in place: I moved a water heater from the second floor to the first floor (to prevent floods that could have broken through the floor/ceiling), I got some areas with outdated and potentially dangerous electric up to code, I replaced old bad French doors with hurricane resistant French doors that had interior blinds (no more dust!) and fixed some steps and installed grab bars in the shower.
I've got little ones and we put in a pool instead of buying a cottage and the kids are in it all summer. It's been an amazing way to entertain, and we love it. We swim almost daily all summer when the weather cooperates. I was hesitant about it, but we're staying in our home for at least the next 20 years so we might as well enjoy it!
Hi Jackie, I'm in Australia, my algorithm suggested you so this was my first video. Probably one of the best videos I've seen around this topic, direct to the point and most importantly you back your tips with valid reasons. Looking forward to more content
Outdoor play equipment was the best investment for our family. All the neighborhood kids loved coming to our home to play on it and it lasted until about 7th grade. The kids loved the swings the most.
It depends where you live and your lifestyle; it's a must in the hot southwest or southeast, and great for entertaining, many great memories with our parents pool in Texas!
This woman would be an excellent resource she's spot on folks. For an Internet advisor she's solid gold and rare for real estate. Take care and good luck with home ownership all
Totally agree - especially with the one year (minimum, I think), wait before making it your own. It is so tempting, especially if you downsized, to spend some of the proceeds from your former house. I am doing repairs and setting it up in case of emergencies during the first year. After I take care of my safety concerns, then I'll take on some esthetics. Thing is, and I speak from experience - if you feel this will be your forever home and you immediately redo the kitchen and baths - by the time you do think of selling due to age or life experiences, they will look very dated - no matter how much you spent.
I was house hunting in western Maryland this past spring. There was a house with a beautiful pool shown and I just had to see it as it's always been a fantasy of mine to have a house with a pool. Close up in April, the pool area took up 95% of the small back yard, the pool deck was falling apart - missing boards and the others were cracked and splintered, and the pool was filled to the brim with dark green algae water that stank. I couldn't get away fast enough! I will never ever fantasize about getting a pool.
I live in upstate New York and had an in-ground pool. It was fun to have family parties in the summer and everyone loved to swim, but a pool is a big expense to maintain. The chemicals, daily and weekly cleanings, expenses when something breaks and openings\closings for each season keep you busy. Running the filter also adds to your electric bill. In upstate NY the swimming season is approximately 3 - 4 months long and then you have to close it down for winter to keep the pipes from freezing. My pool was about 35 years old when I had it taken out (also a big expense). The average life span of an in-ground pool is between 25-40 years from what I have been told. If I lived in Florida I may want to own a pool, but in the northeast the season is just too short to make it worth the effort and expense.
For years, my wife wanted a hot tub. Finally relented. Spent $16,000 for concrete pad, electrical, water, tub, enclosure, installation. Added about $200 bucks to our monthly electric bill to keep it heated. It was nice but after only a few months, wife saw a TH-cam video claiming it was unhealthy to marinate in hot water full of chemicals and that was that. Drained and never used again. Moved and now wife wants sauna. I say it’s better to want something you don’t have than something you don’t want, and that was that.
My daughter bought an inflatable bounce-house that has a wading pool, water slide, water cannon, and its own blower to inflate itself. The kids love it, especially when the day is hot. When not in use, just turn off the blower and fold the deflated thing to store it. It cost her only a couple hundred dollars. Much better than a big wooden play structure.
If she really wants a sauna, take her to a vacation in Finland. Every place will have a sauna. If she won't use them there, you can use it to prove she won't use it at home. If she does use it, you can learn how to make a good one at decent cost.
I turned my back porch into a stall/run in shed for my mule and his tack.We both loved it and I could feed him wearing my pajamas because it was attached to my house. Now that he stays at another farm for pasture the stall houses my riding lawn mower. 🐴
Smart fridge is one of the most frustrating things I’ve experienced… what does it mean it needs update and accept conditions before dispensing water?! Every single time. So dumb!
You are absolutely right. At one point or another I wanted to do one or more of these and never did and later in life I am so glad that I never followed through. It saved me a lot of headaches.
I’ve had most of these in one or more of the houses I’ve owned over the years. Loved the pool because we lived in So. Florida at the time. Would never ever even consider open shelving in a kitchen if you like to cook often.
"Live in it for a year." You are so right. It took us 2 years to really nail down the issues in our kitchen. When we had parties, people would get stuck in one part and not move around. There was a choke point when people moved from the porch door into the kitchen. These issues were taken into consideration when we did a 80k remodel. If we just replaced what was there without waiting, we would have wasted money.
Our home had a really big sandbox playground and we had a 3rd grader, preschooler and a baby, it is still up and maintained and now our grandkids are using it. What I regret is doing so much landscape rock, maintaining the weeds that grow in them is relentless and using weed killer is not something that we like to do. Another thing I regret is all the flower gardens, even though they are beautiful the bunnies and other critter can wreak havoc on them and the weeding can become overwhelming. Sealing an asphalt driveway is a pain. Having to put in a fence for dogs can be expensive. We used to use invisible fencing and then got a rescue dog who could not be trained and ran away so many times we HAD to put up a fence.
@@ladyeowyn42 We have sandy soil and have large patches where it is difficult to grow grass but ironically in my flower gardens I always am pulling so much grass. I could grow sod in them! lol.
@@TRUTHbomb2.0 I have the same issue, sandy soil, hot dry summers yet the grass grows like crazy in my flowerbeds 😢 I'm going to have to dig several beds up and start over. Thankfully I have some big beds where the groundcovers have kept 95% of the grass & weeds out.
@@seriejohnson698 The kids got bored with it and then outgrew it. After that, we just had this big thing in your yard. Also, we are a short drive, less than five minutes, to a handful of parks with great playgrounds.
My husband spent $10,000 replacing a gravelled side yard with a fancy brick patio and barbecue area. The problem was over the years roots from the neighbours trees lifted up the bricks until it was all irregular and a tripping hazard, and because there was no roof over the area (too close to fence line so would be against code) it was too hot in the summer and you get rained on in the other months. Plus it caught the wind so umbrellas were not good. We used it area twice.
Realtor over 30 years and you did a wonderful job on this video. Especially with the permitting thing. Have had a few financing and appraisal issues when permits weren’t closed out. One couple had a house fire and were denied insurance because they hadn’t permitted the work that contributed to the fire.
My husband and I built a redwood play center from scratch for about $1000 when our son was about 2 years old. We moved when he was 5, dismantled it and moved it to our new house. It’s 38 years old and still in great shape. It’s not one of those massive ones we see and since we have a half acre, it’s not the focal part of our yard but my son and his friends used it extensively even when they were in middle school. I do have to agree with you about the pools and outdoor kitchens. Both of my next door neighbors have major improvements, one has a sports court, outdoor kitchen, outdoor heater, expensive furniture and it’s been used twice that I know of in almost 4 years. The other has a pool, pond, putting green, outdoor kitchen and cabana with kitchen and self contained spa. They use the pool twice a year for parties but never go outside. I have a two story deck that I sit on every evening when I’m home, work in the yard nearly every day and the neighbors are never outside. We also have panoramic views, can see fireworks from a nearby theme park and view sunsets and I am the only one outside. My husband will occasionally sit outside but generally watches TV. One has to realize if someone is going to use the features that you want then it might be worthwhile. Everything has maintenance, some more than others so one has to decide if you derive more benefit or enjoyment than the cost and effort.
Well said!!! We have a very small deck, but it's enough for a cup of coffee and a book. I don't like entertaining outside.....we live in the woods and there are mosquitoes and bugs. If we really want to outdoor entertain, about 50 yards down the hill there is a small cliff and we dig out the base of it and put in a huge bonfire area.and some picnic tables
Have to say I love my pool…my husband maintains it, when our grands visit they love it…when we are on our own, we LOVE it too. It is the area we go at night to have our cocktails, in the morning take a quick dip to start our day and when chilly, we jump in the hot tub.
Ha ha, I have the opposite problem. I'm in Alberta, Canada. It gets -40C often during winter, and winter feels like it's 8 months of the year. So I don't go out and grill most of the year.
On the outdoor kitchen issue, i agree, to an extant. I live in Texas, so we have really hot, brutal summers. An outdoor kitchen wood be nice, with the overhead roof, to provide shade. However, if you are going to build one, my advise is, keep it simple. If your going to brick in a grill, either buy a more affordable propane grill, or just build a charcoal grill. Dont go with a massive, expensive fridge. Hint, its outside and even under the roof, it is still in the elements, so go with a basic cheap one.
And if you get something bricked in, make sure you maintain it. My wife and I bought a house with an old brick pizza oven with a tree growing through the middle of it. I finally got the bricks out a month ago and the tree off of the concrete pad. Four inch roots right between the pad and the brick wall, that thing was a safety hazard.
We've moved past homes with a pool - cost, upkeep, insurance. Just not interested in that. We also pass up homes with no garage or carport. I agree with Jackie on everything she said.
@@JackieBaker what sold me on my house was it's modest size and a really big attached garage. It was an honestly maintained house (not a flip). Good area, big yard with NO pool or outdoor kitchen (has a screened in back porch and a small deck which is just fine for us). After 19 years we've been upgrading it (gas conversion, redid the bathrooms, now doing the kitchen). Be honest with yourself and live within your means. That's how my parents were and that's how I am.
Your smart for sure. I have a neighbor who converted the garage and man is it an ugly eyesore just the idea of having to do an addition to add back a garage what a waste of space. Maybe he got a good deal on the home because of it.
My buddy converted his garage into a bar/ lounge. Bar with a large tv, sofa and seats and table. The door to the house flows right into the kitchen and dinning area, the side door goes out to the patio for grilling or whatever. The garage door was replaced with sliding type doors that can be opened all the way, but when closed has a single man door, for colder weather. That worked well for him and looks great. The area can hold 20 plus people.
Spot on with the swimming pool comment. Learned my lesson with an above ground pool. Cost, maintenance, chemicals, monthly electric. Best $5k lesson learned at my first house. Cheers 🥃🥃
When I see a pool..I immediately get a little excited..but I quickly realize.. do I want this maintenence. Not really. A child's jungle gym though.. is actually a bonus for any couple who have children or are planning to have children.
The jungle gym is only a feature if it is kept clean and refinished every year. If they are allowed to accumulate wet leaves inside, or the canvas top rips, the weedwacker smashed the legs…it will look like an eyesore
As an open shelver I can tell you it’s not just the aesthetics that is lacking, it’s the dust, dead gnats, grease in the air from frying, etc. Just don’t do it!
Ew. Thanks for sharing that!
I have limited open shelving. I don't have it next to my stovetop, nor my sink. I love it. I have so many lovely heirlooms that I never got to look at as much as I'd have liked to, and I really enjoy having them where everyone can see them.
For real. I just bot a cute piece of furniture for some kitchen things (cute French door on it) and I keep my other chatzkies in a curio also. 😅😅 (Plus my cats would prob break stuff anyways so open shelving is def a no go for me lol). And for real. I don’t want to have to dust and clean that much either. Lol.
@karenholmes6565 I love my open shelves too. I clean them daily when I get back from work. First thing I when I enter the kitchen, together with wiping down countertops.
Thank you for this comment, I was considering this.😂 I have a smaller kitchen and need more space.. I didn't even consider any of those things..ADHD brain.❤
We bought a house with a pool in our elder years. We know it's an expense and liability, but we love it. We've worked hard our entire lives, and it's just so nice to spend the day floating on the water with one another. We live in the pool all summer.
That is awesome!
Again an example of someone that planned. It's great Jackie you are a treasure for the real estate business. I gladly worked with. Someone of you caliber and the guidance was priceless and wisdom has stood for decades always thanked that man for years afterward. It seems you probably get that respect as well.🤔🤔🤔
@MarilynFromTarotClarity the number of people who regret the pool va the number of people like you who don't is substantial. I grew up with pools and never grew out of them or tired of it, so I would absolutely get plenty of use from having one, but most people aren't that way. It's quite refreshing to hear of older people who really get the use of their pool bc all we ever hear about is "it's for the kids" when adults can still enjoy them, too.
love our pool, being in Texas we use it from late March into November- all our children are grown and out of the house, wife and I are in it all the time and I do all the maintenance myself.
I was nervous (cost) about getting a house with a pool with no kids but ended up loving it. In SoCal, so that matters with climate. We didn’t plan on having kids but now it’s amazing as kiddo loves it of course
Best advice you gave = live in your house for a year before planning any big changes.
Our house was built in the 40s. After living in it for a year, our plans for it have changed dramatically. We are so grateful that we didn't jump into a big renovation before experiencing the house as it was and learning what actually worked and didn't work for us.
I’ve had the same experience. Just wait. You don’t realize what you really want or need until you’ve lived there for a year.
@@Dbb27 The same can be said for deciding on a spouse 😊
Pool in Florida, good idea
Pool in Pennsylvania, lousy idea
Pool in Colorado, are you insane
In our house changes, before moving in, fix/repair the main bathroom. Many times a 25-50 year old bathroom needs to be changed. In our current house, I could not stand up in the shower. So we changed the 36x30X 6ft high shower stall freed up the wasted 1 day shower kit space(6 inches on each side) and converted it into a shower of 4 feet wide by 5 feet by 42" trapezoid space 8 feet high. It took 10K to do, but we love being able to stand up in the shower(fully tiled) and not hit the walls when trying to wash your hair. The shower handle is in easy reach and the shower head is over 6' 5" high. Always think about the bathroom before moving in. A clean bathroom is the best way to start in a new house.
@@Lovesapuzzlevery true. Live together for a few years before getting married. If everyone did this, the divorce rate would plummet.
My father said that the problem with owning a home is that wherever you're sitting, you're looking at something you should be doing.
This is words of wisdom for some of us working folk- it's true🤣🤣🤣
I really didn’t need to be reminded of that.
Now that I'm old I find that to be a good thing. The challenge of fixing and improving things keeps me from melting into my easy-chair and becoming decrepit. It keeps you fit in both mind and body.
@@West_of_1 So true 😅😅.
@@West_of_1 😁😁I love wisdom from the wise🤣
I bought one of those big play structures for my kids when they were 3 and 5 years old. They LOVED it! They played on that thing for many years. When they were in school, they'd invite friends over and head immediately into the back yard (MUCH better than heading into the living room to play video games). We live in California, and they could use it starting in March or April usually through October or even later. When they got a little older they turned the slide into a water slide with a hose at the top and slip & slide at the bottom and went zooming down the slide and across the entire yard. Sure, it's not going to still be popular when they're teenagers, but I consider it money extremely well spent. If your kids enjoyed yours for 5 years, I'd call that a huge win. How many of their other toys did they play with for 5 years?
yay! that was a huge part of your kids' lives and definitely worth the money
Fair point and as a fair weather state resident i agree, but she did note that in some states it would be seasonal.
@@Wontreplyeverdontbother sounds like bad parenting
@@RobotDecoy2 Oregon has rain for so much of the year. I used my play structure for years. My younger cousins used it after me. A good decade plus of use. Easy to remove and replace it with something later. My parents put expanded their garden when I grew up.
You can always sell it.
my idea about my house is this: they can drag me out when i'm dead. I will make it exactly the way i want it. too many people worry about what the next buyers will think. that's the kind of absence-of-freedom that homeownership is supposed to do away with!
Right! Or plan your weird renovations with a budget to convert back, or at least normalize a bit more, when you're ready to sell. Or accept that you won't get as competitive of a price.
I was looking for this answer. I did my flat as I wanted, never thought about selling it. It was for me to live, period. Not for sale, it’s my home.
And I transform a three room apartment into a one room, one big office room. No spare room left.
Some of us aren’t going to be able to stay in our homes for life. These tips are for those who know they are going to sell eventually.
this is mostly about people that buy houses and don't intend to die in them. if you're planning to live out the rest of your years in that home, then yeah fk it do whatever you want, resellability doesn't matter if you're not gonna be around to watch it be resold. but so many people just buy houses and then move out 5-10 years later and it's like... what did you buy it for? and if you did abnormal or unsellable renovations to it during that time, you are gonna face those consequences.
edit: some people are also unable to stay in their homes for the rest of their years and there are also countless life-happening factors that could dictate whether or not somebody stays in a home they bought. at the very least, it would be good to maintain a reversion budget if you do something super wonky to your home in case you unexpectedly have to leave.
Make sure the roof is good, water heater, AC unit, fence, deck, windows, landscaping, plumbing...are ALL good before spending $$$ for "fluff" stuff. The fluff stuff can wait until your home is all up-to-date on maintenance.
THIS. I spent $16k this year on a new fence, basement windows, concrete and gutters. All of it was no-frills; all of it needed to be done.
@@mg1822 So true! The fluff stuff is mostly about preference. The maintenance stuff matters most for living in it or for selling it. This past year we did new ductwork, fencing, landscaping/drainage, gutters, dry rot repair and exterior paint. Well worth it! Everything else was already newer and in good repair. So, now we feel good about moving forward with some of the preference upgrades we’d like to do.
Amen! Have bought and sold 7 homes in my 35 yr marriage those big ticket things are what we looked at first and foremost!
This is exactly what I’ve been doing with my condo. Over the past 3 years, I have replaced the windows, sliding glass door, electrical panel, outlets, switches, washer and dryer, furnace and hot water heater.
I’m now replacing key pieces of furniture and then will replace the flooring.
I call those items the things you don’t get to show off to your friends!
Best advice I ever got, ‘Live in the house a few years, maybe 3, the house will tell you what it needs! And it really works!
My house is very needy!
Only works for a house that comes with the basics already there
We have been here 25 years. It has told me. It has expensive tastes.
I always felt having a pool was a waste until at 51, I purchased a home with a pool. It is now my most favorite part of the house. I love looking at it, sitting near it and of course jumping in.
@@s4awd2 I think all of these definitely are person to person! Like for me I take baths everyday, definitely wouldn’t regret the nice tub.
@s4awd2 see I think it would be amazing!
We are putting a pool in soon! Florida paradise! 🎉
@s4awd2 some folks would never set foot in the most amazing pool ever. Folks like you and I know better;)
We got the pool for the kids when they were younger, but my husband and I enjoy it more than they ever did!
I have lived in farmhouses on and off most of my life, and I can tell you that open shelving is not a thing. A real farm is dusty, very dusty. Gravel roads, farm vehicles kicking up dust year-round, not to mention harvesting time. The last thing you need is open shelving, so you have to wash the dust off your plates before you eat.
Also flies! I grew up on a dairy farm and when married lived on a beef farm. Flies are a real problem. Nothing worse than taking a bowl down and discovering the carcass of several flies there!
I agree - and even though my kitchen (rental) has no open shelving, I still store the cups and glasses upside down. Keeps the cat hair out of my lemonade.
Also, in earthquake zones. Open shelving? Not gonna happen! In fact cupboard doors here are mandated to close snugly.
The farmhouse trend is just now getting big in Georgia, USA. It was barely catching on 3 years back. It is really going strong now, 2024. I figure in one decade, the trend will be old hat.
I live in Arizona. An outdoor kitchen is essential here. I use it at least 4-5 times a week especially in the summer because it keeps the heat out of the house. The pool is also well used here-heating it isn't an issue either. We use the pool from from late March to early October. Certain renovations will depend on where you live and your market.
I'm in SoCal and most of high-end houses, like 2million and above, a pool is a must-have.
@@nicholegonzalez9728 yes!!! Summer great to keep heat out of the house, and then winter is great too cause be outside and enjoy it
A POOL IS A MUST IN ARIZONA!
In also live in Arizona we built the pools in both of our houses not a regret at all, a definite must.
@@cat_alyst6306 AND IT DOES ADD VALUE TO AN ARIZONA HOME!
Best advice ever to live in your house at least a year before major changes. When I bought my house I was going to tear down walls, change bathtubs into showers, doing this and doing that. I have since changed my mind. Living in the house makes a huge difference. Stuff that bothered me when I first moved in is not a big deal to change now. And grandiose ideas that I had I don't want anymore.
Exactly, ppl don't know how to wait and sleep on ideas. Wait for the true need to arise. And that's why they regret doing stuff
I have always done floors and painting BEFORE I move in when possible. It’s easier when there’s nothing in the house.
@@Sweetpea-2023 Agreed! I’m painting now and I’m spending as much time moving furniture around so I can paint as I’m spending actually painting!!
Yes. When i bought my first home, my partner and I spent 3 weekends there sleeping on air mattresses and painting.
As a floor professional, always go top to bottom. Paint then floors in this case.
Folks good ideas here newbies this one is for you!
Agreed!
My take aways from this video
1. Luxury things cost lots and need ongoing maintenance....if you are have lots of money and like spending it...go for it!
2. Resale should only matter if you're planning to move....I am building my last home and plan a min of 30 years to live in it...I don't care what my resale value is at the expense of the house not working for me.
Great video!
@@tjomha So, so , so many people say that. This is my home for life. You don’t know what’s coming down the line. Of course, make the house suit you, but never assume you won’t be selling it at some point. I said the same thing 8 years ago when I bought my home; now things have changed and the rest of my renos are keeping in mind that in 5 years, I am selling it and moving on.
@@katherinekatherine8512 Deep down I agree with you, but I am in the honeymoon phase of building so you can't convince me otherwise!
@@katherinekatherine8512 while life may change plans, renovating for future owners, is always renovating for imaginary people.
So this video is not for you then.
@@user-bx4ti6ig3i not necessarily.
I bought my current house five years ago. The kitchen has black appliances. I hated them. But they work well and replacing them would be pricey. So I live with them. They’ve faded into the background and I’ve saved thousands.
These days I’m just happy I have a house. An old, outdated, 1970’s split level that I’ll probably never be able to afford to do anything at all to besides maintain in a liveable condition. Heck, I couldn’t even afford to buy this same house if I had to buy it today.
@@biblia843 ...and a more solid build I bet.
@@biblia843 its what I ended up getting and honestly love it. Needs tlc of course but I really enjoy having a Not-open floor plan. Each room feels like its own space
My house cost 88K when I bought it. I could sell it tomorrow for 650K or more. If I had to get a " better" home, I'd not have the money.
@@biblia843 hope you keep it clean
I had a six bedroom house and converted one of them into a big walk in closet and that is what sold the house.
I think on average a 4-5 bedroom is the most families typically need. So I can see converting the sixth into a closet being a nice selling point. But the smaller family homes would probably not be a smart idea
Yes a 6 bedroom
Yes, but you had six bedrooms so you had bedrooms to spare
It most certainly depends on how many bedrooms you have to begin with. A three bedroom home is the most typical house. You don't turn a three bedroom into a two bedroom, it won't sell. Taking a four or more bedroom into a three bedroom will help to resell.
Right
I'm in Michigan, and the housing market here over the past 7-8 years has been unprecedented. Houses that were purchased for $130K in 2015 are now going for $590K. These are tiny, poorly constructed 950-square-foot homes in quiet, mediocre neighborhoods. Meanwhile, nicer, average-sized homes in better neighborhoods that were over $300K a decade ago are now selling for $750K+. It's wild.
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@@Agatha.wayne0 the homes aren’t more expensive, the US DOLLAR is consistently being devalued.
the dollar is losing its value.
Would love to see a video on what homeowners do not regret putting in. 🙏🏼☺️
Great suggestion!
@@danielle-q1t bathroom upgrades - they get used everyday and guests use them room
Same for kitchen
Go for clean, quality, classy and only add one or two extravagant upgrades
@@danielle-q1t yes that would be awesome.
@@danielle-q1t corner lazy susan cabinet in your kitchen! Saved so much pantry space.
Changing out carpet to hard surface flooring.
Instead of a pool or play structure, I sent my kid to summer camp for a month. They are Socializing, taking swimming lessons, sailing, no phones, Never bored. Loved it!
I hated camps.
@@johnhoward3042 Me too! BUT, many kids love it and keep their camp friends for life. I think the key is starting early, I was 12.
Even a trampoline; it just sits there, taking up space and collecting leaves. Our kids played on it for less than a year. The kids are too busy with after-school activities.
Building a pool IS what we knew would bring our kids' friends over to OUR home, and that's what we wanted. Those years passed quickly, but now it's the grandkids who love being in the pool all summer long (and here in Vegas, that's a long summer!)
god, i'd miss my kids too much for a whole month!!
This youtuber is spitting gold. Especially the part about budgeting 20% extra for repairs.
Better lighting makes such a big difference! I did convert a bedroom into a walk-in closet and main bathroom in my house. It’s a very old home and one bedroom was only accessible by walking through another bedroom. It made the house better, it has enough bathrooms now (I added 2) and it still has 4 bedrooms remaining.
💯! Under cabinet lighting makes any kitchen feel nicer, for example
A “pass through bedroom” is really just a fancy hallway. Whoever gets that room to sleep in loses privacy.
Not necessary better lighting. Bulbs make the difference.
You are spot-on in this video, especially when one turns a garage into living space. You only have to live in a house with a detached garage to learn "never again". Another huge waste of money is a movie-room. The space is relatively inexpensive, but the furnishings are not cheap. When friends are over, no one wants to be completely isolated, especially for live sports on TV.
Re the appliances: do a lot of research. There are a number of repair guys on TH-cam that will tell you what brands to (not) buy. Go with the simplest refrigerator that meets your needs--and take a pass on the ice-maker and water dispenser in the door. Those two "upgrades" are responsible for 80% of refrigerator repairs. Eliminate as much of the electronic "features" as possible on your appliances (especially the W/D and the Dishwasher) as you will use the basic functions the majority of time.
@@frankmc2602 not true. Good modern appliances are bliss fir the house. Once you got it you will never look back!
I have an outdoor kitchen which we use year round. I also have a dedicated movie room which we use regularly. My kids have their friends over to watch movies on the weekends. I utilize my garage to park and charge my Teslas. I also use my garage to work on projects and have a home gym in the back. During Covid, I installed a 65” oled tv, stereo with 7 speakers and a subwoofer.
I used to have a 1958 Norge refrigerator. It was my only refrigerator. It finally died after I'd had it for 25 years. I paid $25 dollars for it, so $1 per year of use. :) I bought a dented, black Frigidaire, no ice or water dispenser, for $600. It's good-sized (free standing, so no restrictions), and I have no regrets. The dent is on the side and barely noticeable.
The other issue with garage living spaces is that they are ground level, so you run the risk of getting water in there during a heavy rain.
I’ve had appliances for 15 yrs in two different homes (fridge with water and ice maker on the door, stoves, dishwashers and washer and dryers). Not a single appliance has ever broken down.
Different strokes for different folks, I guess. I'm married to an Energy Conservation Engineer who strictly limits the number of times we open the refrigerator or freezer. I finally can get myself a glass of ice water from the door dispenser without getting a lecture.
Renovated our bathroom and it in one of those big, white, free standing tubs. Lived with it for 6 years and never regretted it for a minute. Easy to clean , long enough to lay my legs completely out, and deep enough to completely submerge. Absolute heaven. Really miss it now that we’ve downsized into a condo, and it absolutely helped with the sale of the house.
We bought a house with a pool in Southern Florida. No regrets whatsoever. As a matter of fact, We would never buy a house without a pool in Florida.
Exactly, it depends on where you live
That makes sense. But what about in Illinois? Though pools in the summer are great.
Great as long as all costs are included and realistic. Her warnings are prudent and sadly many don't know to ask. Thankfully you weren't one of the unprepared🤔🤔
Depends on where you live. In some parts of FL less than 6 feet above sea level, the entire yard will eventually become a pool.
You bought a house with a pool is not the same as shelling out to put a pool in on top of the cost of the house. The numbers are very different.
The only one of these I did during our renovation (which we did years after buying our house) was a big deep free standing tub. I have loved it and used it almost daily for 5 years. Know yourself and what you love. My baths are my ‘me’ time. Great video!
Something else to consider about swimming pools and spas: they add $200+ to your monthly utility bill because the pumps and heating systems are extreme energy hogs.
Depending on where you live you can do things that limit the cost of heating your pool. There are solar pool heating systems that effectively use the sun to heat the water by pushing it through black hoses that are in the sun all day, recirculating the water.
@@tylertyler82 that’s not even close to true. Love my pool & spa in central Florida and use it year round
Not even close we have a heated salt water pool and spillover spa with led lights and a 2400 sq feet home and our total electric bill is 250 at most a month and during the “winter” it’s about half of that. We live in southwest Florida
I agree. I had to run my pool pump 12 hours a day in the summer in AZ to keep the algae at bay and that was a major cost in power.
@@branfashionistad7579 Electricity probably costs a lot less where you live. California is is rather expensive. This summer I spend about 300 to air condition my 1000 sq ft home. It got up to 120 degrees here on the hottest of days, my AC never stopped.
What a great and useful video! I am 54 years old, moved into my third house and I agree on all the points inside and outside the house. My wife wanted one of those swimming spas and after I did my homework we found out you must change the water every few months, thousands of gallons down the grass, also she was thinking a big outdoor kitchen and we realized it would be grossly unused; we spent thousands of dollars on a big gazebo but is gonna last quite some time because we build it ourselves and we just purchased the materials, recently we added a large cement pad for cars which is going to be very well used. and a vinyl gate to keep them safe.
Also, waiting for a year before renovations is a great idea! we learn we didn't like the flow of the kitchen due to a wall in between it and the entry room and we knocked down the wall and build a big island with electrical outlets and that added tons of space as well. And we saved tons of money by building it my wife and I. We bought a piece of granite remnant at home depot and it was a fraction of the cost.
By the way, we have one of those huge soak tubs in our bathroom and we hate it! is difficult to clean, too tall to get into and we are planning to get rid of it asap.
It's a great idea to tackle the maintenance thigs first and then the cosmetics ones. I installed my own water softener and a sediment prefilter that has been a great addition to our home, the clothes come cleaner, our skin does not feel like sandpaper and our appliances will last longer. Our water heater and hvac system are new so no worries there. the wife just have to have a little patience and bathrooms will be next. 😁
Swim spas do not need to be changed monthly.
We have a PDC SS, change the water once a year
I double-insulated the ductwork in my attic. Reflective bubble pack. Got it from Innovative Insulation in Texas. Cheaper than the depot. Created air space between the 2 layers with 1X2. taped it in place. Ducts now blow 56 degrees. Next are the windows.
Agree about fixing first and cosmetic stuff later. My mother in law spent years bitching that our house doesn’t look like a magazine. It was a major fixer upper Aka money pit. Fix first!!! Decorate later. She complained that my art wasn’t hung…before we had the floors professionally refinished. I guess I’m supposed to run around dusting everything while they are sanding floors so she has nice walls to look at??? What the..???????
So I built the outdoor kitchen. I love it! BUT... I did it different. I am at the foothills of Colorado so yes, we get snow. I enclosed it but the sides open up when I want and it's next to my detached shop. I tapped into the gas line and it's heated for the winter. The structure was my biggest expense material wise but I provided all the labor. I outfitted the inside with all the fixings that the people who are remodeling their house and giving nice stuff away because it's not the latest and greatest. Free granite counter tops (Granite is pretty easy to cut and polish edges, but it's heavy). Free stainless steel double oven. Free stainless gas cook top. Bought two upper end Wagner grills on the cheap because the old owners wanted the latest. Cleaned them up and they look new now! I cook outside every day so the house doesn't smell like dinner. (Although sometimes I want to smell what's cookin' inside).
I want an outdoor kitchen. Ever since I saw a nordic cooking show where they cooked outdoors in the snow, I've been in love with the idea.
@@billvojtech5686 that's great! Yeah, when it's snowing, it's so much fun to be out there making dinner!
@@somedayDefect Some of the best lunches I've had were on a cross country ski trail. My outdoor kichen will have a roof, probably be screened in, and maybe have wall panels that can be put up if it's windy.
Damn I need to go to the foothills of Colorado. Lol. I want to go there.. Here in Florida no one is giving things that awesome away. Lol.. ❤
@@billvojtech5686 I love that type of cooking channel.. I think the one I enjoy most was on PBS.. it was called New Scandinavian cooking.. I always want to jump into the tv.. lol..
The best investment I ever made was during my kitchen remodel. I bought a sub zero stand alone fridge and stand alone freezer, a Viking range and a high end dish drawer. The only piece I have replaced is the dishwasher and that’s because I didn’t realize I needed one with a built in filter because of my hard water. My sub zeros and Viking are going great at 25 years old!
New paint, flooring, and fixtures are solid expenditures that can easily update a space.
Please between the manufactured hardwood floors, the gad awful tile on a backsplash, and the open shelving makes any home look like a very cheap apartment.
We got our wooden play structure during covid when we learned that our neighborhood could close the neighborhood playground indefinitely if they chose. I had four kids at the time ages 10 down to 2. It was perfect for us, not extravagant, but nicer than I ever had as a kid. Today I have six kids ages 13 down to 4 months and we still get a lot of use out of it. If you only have two kids- yeah maybe not worth it (although I would still get a metal swing set in that case), but if you have more than two or the ages are spaced out a lot- definitely worth it in my opinion.
I started a preschool playgroup with other moms from our church and it's great for that too!
I live in Rochester, NY and when I was looking for a home, I told my agent "no pool please". The nearby beach, waterpark, or the YMCA is good enough for me. My family had a pool in our backyard when I was in middle school and high school, and my parents said buying that pool was the biggest financial mistake they have made in the history of their marriage.
Seems like really good advice to me. Just the hassle and maintenance turns me off of the idea also takes up so much yard space and new houses don't even have yards just little strips.
I would rather pay for a summer pool membership.
Especially in Rochester, NY. “Pool Season” is distressingly brief, and the potential for the lengthy winters to inflict damage on the pool and systems is huge.
@@kcindc5539 I'm near the Seattle area and it's the same thing just not as harsh winters just rainy and overcast not pool season weather just easier to go to a community center or water park with the kids. A hot tub outside the house on the back patio might be more useful but not sure about the water bill cost and maintenance if that would even be worth it.
@@bartsullivan4866 my cousins in Utica NY (east of Rochester) went the hot tub route and used it year round. There was only one problem. Just beyond their property line was the tower for a local TV station including a live weather-cam viewable 24/7 on the station website. Yep, every time Amy and Jim went into their hot tub (often without swimsuits) they were on display for the Channel 3 viewing audience.
I totally agree about living in the home a year before doing major renovations. Honestly, how I thought I'd live in the home when I purchased it is not how I am living in it.
Never understand people who are prospective buyers and arrive with their interior decorator and the things you hear make you think -- thought of that also, but that will never work in this house.
Just bought new appliances for a new house; I want items that will LAST so I bought the most basic fridge I could find (doesn't even have an ice maker) along with a basic off-grid propane range. The extra features are what causes failure/replacement within a few years.
TRUTH! I adore my 28-year old Kenmore basic white top load washer and front load dryer (not an electronic button in sight) and hope they NEVER die!
I purposely shop for the least electronics in appliances for the reasons you stated...
What is an "off-grid" propane range?
@@spaceghost8995 A full size propane stove/oven that uses a small 9v battery for ignition. Most all gas/propane stoves won't work if the power is out. I went with Kodiak.
@anonz975 Ok
Re: high-end appliances. My appliances in my condo were original. I was on a single income, but wanted to update my oldish stove. A coworker asked me…”Does it still work? Can you boil water on the stove?..if yes, keep it! He was so right. I was looking to get rid of my stove solely based on wanting to modernize my kitchen to look good. Crazy!
A lot of older appliances are just simpler to operate and simpler to maintain. Fancy computer displays mean sensitive circuit boards that do not like water/condensation/heat. That said, we did receive a gifted washer and dryer set that are a chunk larger than our previous set. Reducing the number of weekly loads of laundry by a third was a major win with several small kids.
Older appliances were built to last longer. We keep our harvest gold stove until an oven element burned out I we couldn't find a replacement part. That stove had to be at least 40 years old. It was quite a conversation piece. The same thing happened with our furnace. It was from 1944. It worked over 50 years until a a part failed and a replacement couldn't be found. The next furnace lasted 8 years. The one after that is 12 years old and, fingers crossed, is still working. These latest ones were/are high efficiency Lenox units that we were told to expect 10-15 years use of.
My parents bought a repo home about 2010, with all the appliances stripped out.
They knew it was going to be expensive, but when the only way to get the correct width range was to spend $6k on a Viking because that was all that would fit the project became less enjoyable.
@@sburns2421 I think I would have made some cabinet changes before spending $6K on a range.
My husband wants to update everything. I keep telling him let's wait until it dies but I let him update the fridge. So far that's been working really well.
You are so right about high end appliances. We did that at our last home and we hated all of them. The cheaper ones actually function much better and last longer. Learned our lesson.
My high end appliances including a glass door SubZero fridge and Wolf Range we have had zero problems with them after 8 years. They are the jewelry of the kitchen.
Our 20 year old fridge died last year. We got Samsung latest and greatest - whole family loves it!
@@milamilla1977For now give it a year or 2 and it will fail.
@@sheneedsme Good….exactly what I am getting ready to buy!!!
@@sheneedsme our high end kitchen appliances (refrigerator and dishwasher) lasted less then 12yrs. Actually we went through 2 dishwashers in 15 yrs 🤦♀️ My in laws had the same issues!
I went from a 4 bedroom 1 bath to a 3 bedroom 2 bath (master with en suite bathroom). In addition, I took the existing doorway to the former bedroom into washer/dryer closet so there's no need to take the laundry to basement. So having the extra bathroom and laundry closet adds functionality and more modern features.
Literally anything you buy for your kids they will get bored with eventually, the fact that your kids enjoyed it for 5 years is good, not a waist at all.
Waste
My parents had 4 of us, with an 8 yr age gap from youngest to eldest. The things they bought for my eldest brother, like a swing set, etc, were enjoyed by all of us for over a decade. I suppose if you have two kids spaced close together, or just one kid, that wouldn't be the case though
If you host a lot family and friends for parties and have several kids its probably not a bad investment but for an only child it would probably get old fast.
@@karenholmes6565 same with age-focused things. Your toddler will enjoy toddler stuff, but when she is 8, not so much.
anyone need a trampoline?
The best high end appliance I’ve ever had, that’s worth it, is my 48” Wolf stove with double griddle on top. The griddle has opened up a world of cooking options that I never had before and it’s used even more than the oven!
I do not have the room for a 48 inch stove, but I would love one. In the 50s, 48 inch stoves were much more common. Grills, built in crock pots, double ovens, or warming ovens.
Our 60" Wolf oven changed things in a big way for us. My wife turned into a gourmet chef. She loved it and it looked awesome.
Agree. A great stove is worthwhile luxury. Especially if it encourages you to cook at home, saving money by preparing your own great food.
I lived in a house with the whole Thermidor equipment - warming lights, griddle, warming oven, shelves to put cooked food on under the warming lights. It had everything. The house had everything from an extensive ladies and then a gent's closet - large, his even had a chair to sit in for a shoe shine. Also a teak closet for furs, cashmere and woollens. The house had a tennis court and a cafe cottage with microwave, ice machine, fridge, sink and even a bathroom. Then the pool with two bridges with water flowing out of both which were attached to the fountain. Also had a swim up bar with stools made just like the pool. Had our own private spa and sauna off of the master bedroom. A TV room with another bar and junk boxes, even a coke machine. And, of course, an exercise room with mirrors and ballet bars. The Butter Pantry held all my silver and fine china. It too had warming lights. When I first entered this home, I thought it the most beautiful in the world with chandeliers everywhere and a double stairway with lots of room for chairs, table, plants, etc. Had to live in it for two years before I found the house to decorate it - was an interior designer so simply enriched and embellished its great features. When we had to sell, a lady came and said "I have always wanted to visit a house that would knock my socks off -- well she is sockless in the house.
Wow! This has some of the best advice I've seen online. Especially waiting after buying to renovate and budgeting an extra 20% on all renovation projects. Spot on!
I realized right away, I do love grilling. So, I built my own outdoor kitchen. And she's right. I made sure the money I put into it was proportional to my personal use year round, and the enjoyment I'll get out of it. So, I didn't spend too much to build it. Also, living in the PacNW near Seattle, having a patio cover/roof over your kitchen is a must.
We have an outdoor kitchen and it’s our primary kitchen for most of the year. Only when it gets too cold to eat outside do we stop using it. The way I view it is; if you’re not going to using it regularly go small. If you’re going to rarely use it get a regular bbq.
I think it also depends on how much you can embrace being cold.
@@sharroon7574 ... An outdoor propane heater helps with that.
HGTV convinces homeowners to do many things I wouldn't do. Replace all your solid wood cabinets with sawdust particle board for a clean line look. Open concept when some homes it really doesn't fit.
@@kennethhughley1611 if God really loved us, God would save us from particle board
@@kennethhughley1611 yep. We have solid wood custom cabinets they're not perfect and a little off square but they work great.
Wouldn't change them for the cheap crap out there if you paid me.
@@Pknuckles1804 My wife and I bought a home last year as we inspected the house we were looking at all the solid wood cabinets and brass hardware. I took a drawer to Sherwin and got them to color match it, got some Brasso for the hardware. We installed quartz countertops and Moen faucets, removed wallpaper and painted, installed new mirrors, removed the laminate floors and installed real hardwood floors and porcelain tile. I love the durability and new look!
I grew up in a home that was somewhat open concept for its time. Noise travels. Dirt travels. Clutter travels. I can't understand why anyone would want a line of sight from your dining table to your kitchen sink. I think the home renovation programs of 2040 will involve homeowners replacing the walls that Chip and Joanna tore out.
@@erynlasgalen1949 It's for the helicopter parenting.
Most open plans should be loaded with cabinets & other storage spaces to contain the clutter. Clutter is a personal problem, not an open plan problem.
Don't want people seeing the clutter? Then it should be good motivation for a cleaning routine or to hire a cleaner to help out once in awhile.
Open shelving in Earthquake country (California) is a big no-no. First little jolt and all your glassware is on the floor in pieces. My parents - just before the Northridge Quake in 1994, just remodeled their kitchen. They had one upper cabinet that was open/doorless in which they placed all their glassware. After the quake, there wasn't two square inches in the kitchen that wasn't covered in glass shards. Doors on those upper cabinets, people.
Great thought. Never would have thought of that! It depends on your areas issues. I wouldn't build a pool in a cool rainy climate either.
YES! GREAT ADVICE that I have followed 🙂Live in the house for at least a year before you do anything. Deep clean & paint, then decide. You'll save yourself 10's of thousands of dollars and a lot of aggravation.
Excellent advice !
Great advice although I disagree with freestanding tubs being difficult to clean. Unless someone never uses a tub and thus doesn't need one, these are infinitely easier to clean than any other tub configuration. I just cleaned mine last night and it took me less than 5 minutes since I can move all around and not have to kneel on one side and lean over the edge to get the opposite side.
I always renovated the bathrooms first if that was needed. 2nd was always the kitchen then whatever was needed after that.
True old farm houses didnt have open shelves, islands or open concept. Usually tiny , dark closed off from rest of home to keep cooking fumes and grease away from furniture.😮
My husband and I watched our retired neighbor go all out on their backyard during the pandemic. They spent well over 200k on a pool, outdoor kitchen, deck, elaborate planters, multilevel concrete areas and a fire pit. It is gorgeous. However I’ve only seen them outside entertaining people about 3-4 times a year since they completed it. We had a pool at our last house, loved it and used it every weekend for about 3 years. Then it became a very expensive dog pool for our golden retrievers. We do not want a pool at our new house no matter how nice it might seem on a 100 degree day. The monthly expenses for pool maintenance are ridiculous, especially if you only use it occasionally..
We have an outdoor kitchen and pool and use one the other or both almost every single day. Yes, chemicals are expensive, but its worth it in Texas, imo. Guess it just depends on what you enjoy.
@@franquil85conn Yeah, I think it just depends on many factors. I also live in Texas. Definitely prefer not having a pool, again for a number of different reasons. We definitely enjoyed the pool at the old house when my son was in elementary school.
@loftus4453 i agree, difference in preferences. My deal breaker in a house was a walk in butlers pantry ..had to have it, while most dont care
@@franquil85conn I do love my butler’s pantry! ❤️ our preferences definitely align on that one.
Get central AC and take a cool shower
Have had in inground pool since 2002. My wife and I enjoy it everyday for 4 months in NE. Had it so long it’s easy to maintain after initial opening. I open and close the pool myself takes 2 hours open and close saves 800. Spent 6000 new liner 4000 new cover. Kids enjoyed it when they were younger and still come over in summer w friends. Initial cost back the 22000 pool 9000 concrete deck 4000 cover 7000 fence. Lifetime of memories good times lot of gatherings…priceless
Open shelves mean you'll dirty your dishes every time you cook.
It confuses me why people want their kitchens to look like restaurant kitchens that do have the open shelves and the higher end appliances. Restaurants need the open shelves to grab dishes quickly to push out diner orders and need expensive commercial equipment because they will be using them heavily and very frequently.
It is obvious that everything you said is from years of experience from working with clients. I hope people listen so they don't make mistakes they regret. We are in our 60's and finally got our forever home. It had a pool. We live in Arizona so it is hot most of the time. We didn't realize just how much time it would take to maintain a pool, which was far more than the time we spent swimming. Because the pool was older, parts were breaking and needing replacing. Neighbors on both sides had trees that constantly shed in our pool. We also spent $2000 in our first 2 years in our home in pool repairs. We decided to have the pool removed. It was very costly, but a decision we don't regret. We no longer have to worry about the daily maintenance, maintaining proper chemical balance and replacing parts. We can now just enjoy our larger yard. Everything else you said was also dead bang on. Excellent video, Thanks
I think the backyard kitchen fits us well down here in South Texas. We bbq every other weekend and have family/friends over. Cheaper than a restaurant and more space if your dining area is not spacious.
Same!
While I took a lot of this personally, I do respect your honesty, and begrudgingly admit that you are correct on just about all of your observations :(
Im in Oklahoma... I love my outdoor kitchen. I spent $800 on it, its very modest. We use it several times a week. A 6 person bar is next for about double the price. I love my above ground pool and a hot tub is on the way. We spend as much time outside as inside.
I don't care about touch screens, but I absolutely love my Sub-Zero fridge and Wolf cooking appliances, and would buy them again.
living in a house for a year before renovations is great advice. subbed
Thanks for the sub!
Owned a swimming pool once. SO MUCH WORK.
@@jenn541 i grew up with a pool in our backyard. Built a house my husband wanted pool! I told him we will go to Attorney and set up contract that says Im (me, wife, Mom) doing nothing to maintain that pool. People have no idea, if you have to choise between foid on the table and the pool maintainance,guess what comes first? The pool owns you!
The electric meter works full time supporting the pump.
Here's a tip: Don't try to renovate as fast as you can. Its ok to work on 1 or 2 rooms or projects per year. If you renovate everything in one shot then you risk dating your home to that particular time of when you renovated it. For example the early 2000s tuscan kichens with travertine floors or the 2012 all gray homes. Take it slow. Theres always something new in interior design being introduced. Spread it out a bit and don't date your upgrades and decor to one particular time.
I have a Tuscan 2000 kitchen with travertine flooring! Fruit wallpaper border and all with cobalt blue countertops! My ceramic rooster is right at home! We got a great deal on our house because of it and carpet and we couldn’t be happier! ❤
@@jeaninekelly4271 thats all that matters, that you're happy.
Homes are still gray in 2024. Lol
@@seriejohnson698 that's been out since 2020
Stick to classics.
People need to understand that a house will change with you and flexibility is the key. People should keep in mind that even if you don't sell, your own tastes and needs will change over time. Live in a space for a while before making big changes. A pool is great if you're a swimmer and willing to do all the upkeep and can afford it. Kids' structures are not permanent (they grow up). Appliances - will always depend on how much cooking you really do and what features you need. If I had a garage I would not convert it --- because of winter.
Concerning the bedroom to walk in closet conversion..Yes, you lose the customers who need an extra bedroom, but you gain a lot of customers who need a large walk in closet for their own clothes. For either group changing an existing house for their needs is more hassle than buying a house that already caters for their needs. Different kind of people have different needs, all houses can't be all things for all people.
@@ingvarhallstrom2306 there are far less people in the buyer pool looking for an extra walk-in closet in a house than people looking for an additional bedroom
Got it! Lived in ours for 10 years before renovating. Went for functionality as well as resale value. Still here. Starting to update. Since the major stuff was done, most is cosmetic. Paint, light fixtures, flooring. Thanks for the info.
I had an outdoor kitchen built 20 years ago and I use it as much as I can. I think that it was money well spent. Buying quality stainless steel appliances that will withstand the elements is key.
I love having a summer kitchen, just like the old days our grandmothers had.
If you don't know it's a second kitchen off the regular kitchen and it's all screened in.
Or it's a finished basement kitchen; my Italian aunts had basement summer kitchens before central air; they made their spaghetti and meatballs in a cool basement!
All this depends on demographics, right?! I’m now retired, moved into my forever home in Florida. We use the outdoor lanai/kitchen/pool as much as the great room. I also converted my 3rd garage into my man cave and I use the room constantly.
Thank you for the list… good advice.
It’s all about where you live for sure. My wife and I live on the Pacific Ocean in Nicaragua and a pool and a covered lanai/patio are necessary here. The majority of people purchasing homes in our house’s price range will not buy a home without a pool and covered outdoor space.
We had a pool for many years it was so Beautiful.
- but then as we got older it was harder to maintain. The opening and closing, the chemicals the constant skimming., and then there is the weather, so many negatives ! because you are tired and older.
We had it filled in and built a huge deck off the kitchen. We are so glad we did it. We had our day with it. Great memories.
We have a smaller backyard which was all grass and then converted it into a paver patio, privacy fence, with a smoker grill - nothing at all crazy, outdoor TV and hot tub, with a flower garden, and a artificial grass turf for the dogs to do their business. We absolutely LOVE it! Its our favorite part of the house. Getting to enjoy the outdoors from your own backyard pays back dividends to your mental health. We live in Ohio - and yes, we use it year-round. Winter is the best hot tub season! I agree with everything else on her list.
It sounds great! But your TV blaring in the backyard might bother neighbors if you live close together; never liked that idea
When I renovated my house I made sure to fix issues and make it easier to age in place: I moved a water heater from the second floor to the first floor (to prevent floods that could have broken through the floor/ceiling), I got some areas with outdated and potentially dangerous electric up to code, I replaced old bad French doors with hurricane resistant French doors that had interior blinds (no more dust!) and fixed some steps and installed grab bars in the shower.
I've got little ones and we put in a pool instead of buying a cottage and the kids are in it all summer. It's been an amazing way to entertain, and we love it. We swim almost daily all summer when the weather cooperates. I was hesitant about it, but we're staying in our home for at least the next 20 years so we might as well enjoy it!
My sister's great-grand children are in the pool she and her husband installed in the midst 70s
Hi Jackie, I'm in Australia, my algorithm suggested you so this was my first video.
Probably one of the best videos I've seen around this topic, direct to the point and most importantly you back your tips with valid reasons. Looking forward to more content
Outdoor play equipment was the best investment for our family. All the neighborhood kids loved coming to our home to play on it and it lasted until about 7th grade. The kids loved the swings the most.
I had lots of bedrooms and I had 4 kids This was the best decision I ever made. It was like 6 closets. My best decision ever
So true, a pool is a hole in the ground into which you pour money.
It depends where you live and your lifestyle; it's a must in the hot southwest or southeast, and great for entertaining, many great memories with our parents pool in Texas!
This woman would be an excellent resource she's spot on folks. For an Internet advisor she's solid gold and rare for real estate. Take care and good luck with home ownership all
Totally agree - especially with the one year (minimum, I think), wait before making it your own. It is so tempting, especially if you downsized, to spend some of the proceeds from your former house. I am doing repairs and setting it up in case of emergencies during the first year. After I take care of my safety concerns, then I'll take on some esthetics. Thing is, and I speak from experience - if you feel this will be your forever home and you immediately redo the kitchen and baths - by the time you do think of selling due to age or life experiences, they will look very dated - no matter how much you spent.
I was house hunting in western Maryland this past spring. There was a house with a beautiful pool shown and I just had to see it as it's always been a fantasy of mine to have a house with a pool. Close up in April, the pool area took up 95% of the small back yard, the pool deck was falling apart - missing boards and the others were cracked and splintered, and the pool was filled to the brim with dark green algae water that stank. I couldn't get away fast enough! I will never ever fantasize about getting a pool.
This video is so much more helpful and realistic than most of the sponsored stuff!
I live in upstate New York and had an in-ground pool. It was fun to have family parties in the summer and everyone loved to swim, but a pool is a big expense to maintain. The chemicals, daily and weekly cleanings, expenses when something breaks and openings\closings for each season keep you busy. Running the filter also adds to your electric bill. In upstate NY the swimming season is approximately 3 - 4 months long and then you have to close it down for winter to keep the pipes from freezing. My pool was about 35 years old when I had it taken out (also a big expense). The average life span of an in-ground pool is between 25-40 years from what I have been told. If I lived in Florida I may want to own a pool, but in the northeast the season is just too short to make it worth the effort and expense.
For years, my wife wanted a hot tub. Finally relented. Spent $16,000 for concrete pad, electrical, water, tub, enclosure, installation. Added about $200 bucks to our monthly electric bill to keep it heated. It was nice but after only a few months, wife saw a TH-cam video claiming it was unhealthy to marinate in hot water full of chemicals and that was that. Drained and never used again. Moved and now wife wants sauna. I say it’s better to want something you don’t have than something you don’t want, and that was that.
Tell her saunas send superhumid water droplets deep in the lungs, and the walls of the sauna outgas harmfully with all that heating.
My daughter bought an inflatable bounce-house that has a wading pool, water slide, water cannon, and its own blower to inflate itself. The kids love it, especially when the day is hot. When not in use, just turn off the blower and fold the deflated thing to store it. It cost her only a couple hundred dollars. Much better than a big wooden play structure.
@@stanleysokolow sure hope she anchors it really well. One big wind can send those flying. Lives have been lost in those things every year.
If she really wants a sauna, take her to a vacation in Finland. Every place will have a sauna. If she won't use them there, you can use it to prove she won't use it at home. If she does use it, you can learn how to make a good one at decent cost.
I turned my back porch into a stall/run in shed for my mule and his tack.We both loved it and I could feed him wearing my pajamas because it was attached to my house. Now that he stays at another farm for pasture the stall houses my riding lawn mower. 🐴
How would I be giving up space with the shelves? The only difference is there aren’t any cabinet doors right?
Smart fridge is one of the most frustrating things I’ve experienced… what does it mean it needs update and accept conditions before dispensing water?! Every single time. So dumb!
You are absolutely right. At one point or another I wanted to do one or more of these and never did and later in life I am so glad that I never followed through. It saved me a lot of headaches.
I’ve had most of these in one or more of the houses I’ve owned over the years. Loved the pool because we lived in So. Florida at the time. Would never ever even consider open shelving in a kitchen if you like to cook often.
"Live in it for a year." You are so right. It took us 2 years to really nail down the issues in our kitchen. When we had parties, people would get stuck in one part and not move around. There was a choke point when people moved from the porch door into the kitchen. These issues were taken into consideration when we did a 80k remodel. If we just replaced what was there without waiting, we would have wasted money.
Our home had a really big sandbox playground and we had a 3rd grader, preschooler and a baby, it is still up and maintained and now our grandkids are using it.
What I regret is doing so much landscape rock, maintaining the weeds that grow in them is relentless and using weed killer is not something that we like to do. Another thing I regret is all the flower gardens, even though they are beautiful the bunnies and other critter can wreak havoc on them and the weeding can become overwhelming. Sealing an asphalt driveway is a pain. Having to put in a fence for dogs can be expensive. We used to use invisible fencing and then got a rescue dog who could not be trained and ran away so many times we HAD to put up a fence.
@@TRUTHbomb2.0 I always put in native landcover plants because I hate weeding and yard maintenance.
@@ladyeowyn42 We have sandy soil and have large patches where it is difficult to grow grass but ironically in my flower gardens I always am pulling so much grass. I could grow sod in them! lol.
@@TRUTHbomb2.0 I have the same issue, sandy soil, hot dry summers yet the grass grows like crazy in my flowerbeds 😢 I'm going to have to dig several beds up and start over. Thankfully I have some big beds where the groundcovers have kept 95% of the grass & weeds out.
Growing up, we had a large sandbox with a roof structure over it. We would sit on the roof on the 4th of July and watch the fireworks....no crowds.
We just put up a basic swing set for our kids. They got SO much out of it! And when they outgrew it, it wasn't hard to get rid of it.
We’ve done two things on this list. The backyard play set - yes, we regretted it. A freestanding tub - love it, no regrets.
Why regrets on the playset?
@@seriejohnson698 The kids got bored with it and then outgrew it. After that, we just had this big thing in your yard. Also, we are a short drive, less than five minutes, to a handful of parks with great playgrounds.
I love my freestanding cast iron tub too! How on earth are they hard to clean??? Mine isn’t a really high one though.
My husband spent $10,000 replacing a gravelled side yard with a fancy brick patio and barbecue area. The problem was over the years roots from the neighbours trees lifted up the bricks until it was all irregular and a tripping hazard, and because there was no roof over the area (too close to fence line so would be against code) it was too hot in the summer and you get rained on in the other months. Plus it caught the wind so umbrellas were not good. We used it area twice.
Realtor over 30 years and you did a wonderful job on this video. Especially with the permitting thing. Have had a few financing and appraisal issues when permits weren’t closed out. One couple had a house fire and were denied insurance because they hadn’t permitted the work that contributed to the fire.
My husband and I built a redwood play center from scratch for about $1000 when our son was about 2 years old. We moved when he was 5, dismantled it and moved it to our new house. It’s 38 years old and still in great shape. It’s not one of those massive ones we see and since we have a half acre, it’s not the focal part of our yard but my son and his friends used it extensively even when they were in middle school. I do have to agree with you about the pools and outdoor kitchens. Both of my next door neighbors have major improvements, one has a sports court, outdoor kitchen, outdoor heater, expensive furniture and it’s been used twice that I know of in almost 4 years. The other has a pool, pond, putting green, outdoor kitchen and cabana with kitchen and self contained spa. They use the pool twice a year for parties but never go outside. I have a two story deck that I sit on every evening when I’m home, work in the yard nearly every day and the neighbors are never outside. We also have panoramic views, can see fireworks from a nearby theme park and view sunsets and I am the only one outside. My husband will occasionally sit outside but generally watches TV. One has to realize if someone is going to use the features that you want then it might be worthwhile. Everything has maintenance, some more than others so one has to decide if you derive more benefit or enjoyment than the cost and effort.
Well said!!! We have a very small deck, but it's enough for a cup of coffee and a book. I don't like entertaining outside.....we live in the woods and there are mosquitoes and bugs. If we really want to outdoor entertain, about 50 yards down the hill there is a small cliff and we dig out the base of it and put in a huge bonfire area.and some picnic tables
You get $1 for $1 back for a pool in the part of Florida we live in. The usefulness of a pool really depends on the climate of where you live.
Absolutely. The pool ?climate matters!!
Have to say I love my pool…my husband maintains it, when our grands visit they love it…when we are on our own, we LOVE it too. It is the area we go at night to have our cocktails, in the morning take a quick dip to start our day and when chilly, we jump in the hot tub.
True Northerners grill outside in the snow during winter. I'd say they get used less in Florida, where it's too hot to go outside 8 months of the year
Ha ha, I have the opposite problem. I'm in Alberta, Canada. It gets -40C often during winter, and winter feels like it's 8 months of the year. So I don't go out and grill most of the year.
On the outdoor kitchen issue, i agree, to an extant. I live in Texas, so we have really hot, brutal summers. An outdoor kitchen wood be nice, with the overhead roof, to provide shade. However, if you are going to build one, my advise is, keep it simple. If your going to brick in a grill, either buy a more affordable propane grill, or just build a charcoal grill. Dont go with a massive, expensive fridge. Hint, its outside and even under the roof, it is still in the elements, so go with a basic cheap one.
Also put in at least one big strong fan to keep the bugs out of your cooking/eating area.
And if you get something bricked in, make sure you maintain it. My wife and I bought a house with an old brick pizza oven with a tree growing through the middle of it. I finally got the bricks out a month ago and the tree off of the concrete pad. Four inch roots right between the pad and the brick wall, that thing was a safety hazard.
We've moved past homes with a pool - cost, upkeep, insurance. Just not interested in that. We also pass up homes with no garage or carport. I agree with Jackie on everything she said.
Thank you!
@@JackieBaker what sold me on my house was it's modest size and a really big attached garage. It was an honestly maintained house (not a flip). Good area, big yard with NO pool or outdoor kitchen (has a screened in back porch and a small deck which is just fine for us). After 19 years we've been upgrading it (gas conversion, redid the bathrooms, now doing the kitchen). Be honest with yourself and live within your means. That's how my parents were and that's how I am.
Your smart for sure. I have a neighbor who converted the garage and man is it an ugly eyesore just the idea of having to do an addition to add back a garage what a waste of space. Maybe he got a good deal on the home because of it.
@@bartsullivan4866 I’ve never liked to look of a closed in garage either. Doesn’t look right.
Garage is a MUST. I bought a 3 bedroom house with 3 car garage and love it. I also maintained a pool for 4 years and won’t do it again.
I love hearing you talk. You sound like my friend Joan… long gone on this earth but always in my heart. Your videos are lovely. ❤
My buddy converted his garage into a bar/ lounge. Bar with a large tv, sofa and seats and table. The door to the house flows right into the kitchen and dinning area, the side door goes out to the patio for grilling or whatever. The garage door was replaced with sliding type doors that can be opened all the way, but when closed has a single man door, for colder weather. That worked well for him and looks great. The area can hold 20 plus people.
I don't even KNOW 20 people and if I did I don't want them in my house.! 😂😂
Spot on with the swimming pool comment. Learned my lesson with an above ground pool. Cost, maintenance, chemicals, monthly electric. Best $5k lesson learned at my first house. Cheers 🥃🥃
When I see a pool..I immediately get a little excited..but I quickly realize.. do I want this maintenence. Not really. A child's jungle gym though.. is actually a bonus for any couple who have children or are planning to have children.
I agree. I have three kids. The jungle gym was worth EVERY penny. If we get five years out of it I’d be happy with that!
The jungle gym is only a feature if it is kept clean and refinished every year. If they are allowed to accumulate wet leaves inside, or the canvas top rips, the weedwacker smashed the legs…it will look like an eyesore