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/diy/ - Do It Yourself

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1318021 No.1318021 [Reply] [Original]

Any ideas for good home improvements to consider for a first time home buyer?

Looking at getting a house in the summer, getting the eem loan too and gonna blow that on windows and insulation.

I figure i can do led bulbs, caulking, and wrapping the pipes myself along with my buddy is a hvac journeyman so he'll help me do some stuff.

Any tips, tricks, advice, stories or experience to share?

>> No.1318027

Fix the shit that will cost you the most in the long run, namely energy efficiency and things needing repair (shit like an old roof).

Next fix the shit you hate, mainly aesthetic and layout issues that you don't like.

>> No.1318140

>>1318021
Wire some ethernet ports in the walls. Cat 6 for short 50 meter and Cat 5e for 100m. Protect them properly from weather/animal so it lasts longer.

Proper fences makes good privacy/investment. Clean pavement to-from gate to door. Some decent mail box. Either wired cameras or wireless camera around the front gate/front door and back door.

>> No.1318198

>>1318140
This, good fences are a must. And a visible alarm system

Sort your plumbing out if it's shonky, it'll ruin all your hard work if it leaks

>> No.1318199

>>1318027
This. Reseal all doors and windows, you won't regret it. Go into the attic or basement if it has them and seal up everything that isn't a vent. You may want to consider replacing the heating or cooling system since certain upgrades are more energy efficient. You may also want to replace the big tank water heater with a smaller on-demand water heater. They're much more efficient and you never run out of hot water. All those things will save you a lot of moolah in the long run if you have the capital t it done now.

>> No.1318200

also, plant fruit trees

>> No.1318205

good thread.

Is it possible to retro-fit a house (Adobe) not built with a heating system so it can be lived in year round? House is mainly a get away not livable in Winter months ..

thing is I like the location and would buy it but banks won;t lend on it for two reasons.

One it has no well.. That can be dug and attached to the plumbing which uses a water catchment tank now

Second is it just has a small wood burning stove no way enough to survive cold New Mexico Winters.

I was thinking a small furnace shed could be built next to a wall and if you removed the wood burning stove you could route the furnace ducting into the chimney already in the roof then suspend ducting along the ceiling .. check this place out and see if this is feasible.

https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/62-Mesa-Viento_Cerrillos_NM_87010_M17924-40891

>> No.1318212

>>1318140
Why use higher rated cable for shorter distance?

>> No.1318215

>>1318212
>Cat6 @ 10GBit max length ~55m

nevermind

>> No.1318218

Shot of black; Shipping containers for additions and auxiliary structures;

>> No.1318230

I have an old house I just got. 1951, plaster walls and wood floors. Lots of peeling layers on walls. My idea is to skimcoat the walls and ceilings then paint. Is there any other options?

>> No.1318234

>>1318230
Do it right the first time; Strip the old paint, repair plaster as necessary, prime, paint.

>> No.1318237

>>1318027
>>1318140
>living in a place that requires a fence
no thanks anon

>> No.1318238
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1318238

>>1318234
>Strip the old paint

please go into detail here, as to how one strips paint from walls and ceilings.

I'd scrape a little, sand a little, maybe use some of pic related, and paint.

>> No.1318242

>>1318234
I'm a bit hesitant to try and strip it all. About 10% has come off without much bother, but the rest is on there good and I'm concerned about lead and heatguns.

>> No.1318243
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1318243

>>1318205
what's this thing in the corner?

Looks like maybe a propane heater? The stove/oven looks like its probably gas too.

might that not be adequate heating for winters?

>> No.1318246

>>1318238
https://www.google.com/search?q=paint+stripper+plaster

Painting over the peeling paint will work for a short amount of time before the problem resurfaces. So, you could just do that every year, if you can convince yourself that you'll never tire of doing this.

>> No.1318266

>>1318243
White wall units looks to be a ac/heater combo. Much like what you would find in a hotel room.

>> No.1318271

>>1318205
Water catchment and a wood burning stove in a small adobe house makes perfect sense. You'd be surprised how cozy it is. If you run out of water then you'd want a well but hardly anyone runs out of water.

>> No.1318293

>>1318271
Bank will not lend a mortgage and I can not afford it outright.

The banks require a well.. Solar is fine and the catchment is back-up but to be what the lender calls "conforming" a well will need to be dug and set up to plumb the building... I didn't notice the other source for heat in the wall if that's what it is... maybe just the well

how to get the seller to put in a well though... will a bank issue me a construction loan if the seller agrees to have it done then I buy it and convert to a regular mortgage? I'll have $50 k for a down payment.

>> No.1318374

I fucked up let a family member help me redo my house. They sanded through some lead based primer on kitchen cabinets with an orbital. Probably 10 square feet. Dust all over with vents open in a forced air system running. How fucked am I? Will be wiping down all surfaces in the house but what else can I even do?

>> No.1318381

>>1318374
meh, you are not a child, so fairly safe. Just have vents cleaned (good to do anyhow) and open all windows and full blast vents for a bit. Have window fans blow front to back and outside bedroom. 1 day easy cleanup.

>> No.1318947

I'm thinking about pex plumbing, home run, because my city is full of scrapping shitheads. Can I run 2 toilets off a single 1/2" line? Is the drop really that much?

>> No.1318953

Nice

>> No.1319110

>>1318293
You would have to talk to your bank about that.

Does it have sewer? Because that’s another big expense.

>> No.1319301

>>1318947
I would say sure, the toilet tanks will just fine regardless, albeit more slowly if they are flushed simultaneously. Even if your two toilets have Sloan Flushometers (i.e. the flush is dependant upon water pressure from the supply vs. gravity in a tank toilet) they'll work just fine, so long as they're, again, not flushed simultaneously

>> No.1319302

>>1319301
the toilet tanks will FILL just fine regardless**

>> No.1319320

>>1318021
Since you didn't mention budget restrictions, I am going big on this suggestion: The most profitable home improvement has proven to be the kitchen. Update the appliances if they are outdated, redo countertops and cabinets if necessary, and consider knocking down a wall if it is enclosed. People like open kitchens now.

>> No.1321036

Never plaster over wallpaper

>> No.1321055

>>1319320

This

Live in the UK and bought my first house at 50% share. Ripped out the kitchen and fitted a nice modern one, also worked on the bathroom too. My share went from £70k to £83k.
I bought most of the materials from eBay stores clearing out stock. Cost me a little over £1k.

I sold it 2 years later for £95k

>> No.1322786

>>1319110
It does have a 300 ga water catchment cistern and a toilet and bathtub and kitchen sink but under Sewage it refers you to "Remarks" of which there are non.


Lot Size Sq Ft: 435600
Extras: Cooking - Gas, Mountain Property, Out Buildings, Vigas & Beams

Building and Construction

House Style: Cabin, Pueblo, Passive Solar
Construction: Adobe, Frame, Stucco
Roof: Foam, Metal - Propanel

Floor: Brick, Wood
Substructure: Other - See Remarks

Garage and Parking

Garage: None

Heating and Cooling

Cooling Features: None
Fireplace Features: Wood Burning, Wood Stove

Number of Fireplaces: One
Fireplaces: Yes

Utilities

Electric: Solar (PV)
Gas: Propane
Sewage: Other - See Remarks

Water: Cistern
High Speed Available: Wireless

Appliances

Range/Oven

Refrigerator
since posting about this I did get contact from the listing agent and they eventually agreed it is possible to work this into a conforming property IF the seller agrees but I have not heard back .

>> No.1322851

>>1322786
Your probably going to have to figure out where the shit is going when you flush the toilet before worrying about updating the kitchen.

>> No.1322951

>>1322851
I assume it has a septic tank and not just a chemical toilet .. the only actual updateing will be plumbing the water from the pressure tank/pump/well to the house supply .. I spoke with one well driller today but they didn't serve the specific area .. think his guestimate was $125/ft for the well plus pump and plumbing then add a filtering system and softener.. ten grand minimum dependant upon water table depth.

I've seen some resources online from the State of NM which follows water in real time but haven't found anything yet specifically giving a recent depth for this area. I think if I could get it all done for $20k or less I could be in luck.