New Townhouse owner

Has anyone used Home Depot or Lowes or independent contractors? How were they ? what were their estimates for countertops?

Has anyone done their own flooring? Pulled up carpet and put down hardwood? How is it?

 

FWIW ... I'd use a company that does countertops for a living, if you're goint to replace what you have. However, I'd have it done by VM. It goes in with the mortgage .. not as another loan or credit card debt that you have to pay off or get 12% interest against.

Putting down hardwood is not hard, if you have the correct tools, and some knowledge. However, we had VM put in hardwood flooring throughout our first floor hall, and dining room. They used Bruce hardwood, and it came out great. Again, the cost goes in the mortgage, not directly out of your pocket.



Neil Z.
Resident since 1999

 

Yea If you are looking to do these things soon after you move in then go ahead and put them in the mortgage. The interest rate will be much lower and a few thousand dollars is not going to increase your mortgage much.

 

Problem is that we're already over our budgeted amount.

 

Then why are you asking about upgrades?

 

depending on your level of expertise, I have been advised that putting in counter tops or hard wood floors yourself is not recommended unless you have routinely done such projects before. I know of others who consider themselves as handy but found installing their own hard wood floors to be much more of a project than they originally envisioned.

 

Perhaps, but if you don't have a budget to put it in the mortagage, where it is amortized over a much longer term with a smaller interest rate and payment, then you won't be able to do it later on, when the equity builds in about 6 months.

If you can't afford your mortgage/taxes/insurance payment now, you won't be able to later.

As I mentioned, get rid of the bumpout, and put that money in the upgrades.


Neil Z.
Resident since 1999

 

IMO, keep the bumpout and skip the unnecessary upgrades. In the future, it will be much easier to add the upgrades then adding a bumpout.

 

I agree with T, The Square footage is much more important.

 

The best thing that you did is to buy a home. Congratulations!!!

Try not to strech yourself too much, you have to have a life and you do not lose by buying real estate.

Maximize the sq ft, complete all wiring and settle for basic and improve the home as you go and hopefuly you will make more money, you are still young.

You do not have to use the builder's lender, compare with other lenders and do the math to see if you can save.

Corian counters and diamond on the wall do not sell homes... They may sell your home faster compared to another home with less upgrades in a slower market. Other factors like location decide the appraised value of a property.

My name is Etty, I am a realtor and I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Stay well,

Etty