Hosting an open house can be one of the most effective ways to attract potential buyers and generate interest in your property. By allowing multiple visitors to tour the home at once, sellers often
Podcast Ep. 52: Bought a Fixer-Upper: The Smart Order of Improvements
Dated: October 24 2025
Views: 77
Why the Order Matters
Doing projects out of sequence can force you to redo work, damage finished surfaces, or waste money. Follow a priority plan that protects the home’s structure and systems first, then work toward finishes and aesthetic upgrades.
1. Structure & Systems (Start Here)
Begin with the bones of the house: foundation, roof, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC. These are safety and function priorities—don’t delay. Always get a professional home inspection before committing to major cosmetic work.
2. Exterior Repairs
Tackle exterior needs next: roof, gutters, siding, windows, exterior doors, and drainage. These items protect the interior and increase curb appeal—both critical before interior finishes.
3. Interior: Ground Up
Work from the ground up: basements/crawl space, subfloors, insulation, walls/ceilings, then painting and trim. Doing so prevents dust and construction debris from ruining final finishes.
4. Kitchens & Bathrooms
These are high-value areas. Plan carefully, hire licensed trades for plumbing and electrical, and choose durable, timeless materials that appeal to future buyers.
5. Finish Work & Style
Once systems and major areas are done, add landscaping, light fixtures, built-ins, and décor. Save personalization and cosmetic upgrades for last so you don’t waste money redoing work.
Warning: Lipstick on a Pig
If a renovated home looks great but was completed quickly and inexpensively, beware. As Cynthia says, some flippers purposely prioritize cosmetic updates (paint, cheap flooring, fixtures) while ignoring critical systems. That’s what she calls “putting lipstick on a pig.” Work with a trusted Realtor® and insist on a thorough inspection.
Source & Further Reading
This episode references Realtor.com’s helpful checklist: Fixer-Upper Order of Improvements Checklist — Realtor.com.
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All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal. Neither listing broker(s) or information provider(s) shall be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, misprints and shall be held totally harmless. Listing(s) information is provided for consumer's personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. The data relating
