5 exterior upgrades for your fixer upper houses for sale Chicago
So, you have a Chicago fixer upper house for sale. For most rehab projects it is the interior of the Chicago fixer upper that requires the most work. Often, this is where the bulk of your renovation budget will go. Handyman specials in Chicago need updates in electrical, plumbing, floor replacement, layout and of course those dreaded Chicago building code violations. However, curb appeal is always going to be on your mind. So, with the bulk of rehab work being done on the interior, what projects should you focus on for the exterior? Likely, you won’t take care of the exterior until your interior is nearly done. Definition: You won’t take care of the exterior until your budget is nearly gone.
Here are 5 exterior upgrades that either MUST get done, or should be done when you have a fixer upper for sale in Chicago.
Chicago Building Code Violations
Chicago building code violations are a MUST take care of before selling your Chicago fixer uppers. Why? Well, for starters, you won’t get a sign off on your permits until your major violations are mitigated. Among the major Chicago code violations for the exterior, you will find stair and balcony violations. Since 2003, Chicago has really hit this enforcement hard and for good reason. June 29, 2003 saw the nation’s worst balcony collapse in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. The third floor collapse resulted in the deaths of thirteen people and serious injuries of fifty-seven others. Not only was their overcrowding on the balcony, but it collapsed into the second and first floor where another fifty people had been hanging out and trapped others in the basement without an egress.
Replace or repair siding and brickwork
Replacing siding on a Chicago southside fixer upper for sale is typically done when the harsh Chicago environment has created water damage, brittle wood siding, and other Chicago real estate damage. However, with many Chicago homes made of brick or stone due to the Great Chicago Fire, repairing brickwork is often a good way to upgrade your Chicago rehab home without spending a ton of money. Depending on the type of siding you have on the home and its condition, replacing siding may be beneficial and even cost effective. Though, if possible, another alternative to improving the look of your fixer upper is power washing the exterior. This would include the siding, masonry, front porch, and even the sidewalk.
Add a new wood porch
A new wood porch, stained or natural can be a costly expense ranging from $5,000 to $10,000, however, a new porch is one way to grab a homebuyer’s attention. It used to be that a front porch was a place for families to hang out and greet their neighbors as they walked by. As Chicago rehabbers create more fixer uppers for sale in Chicago, this trend is starting to come back to Chicago south side neighborhoods like Englewood, West Pullman, and Lawndale. A new wood porch is an extension to older homes that have notoriously small square footage and create eye appeal that many Chicago wood frame houses for sale are lacking. If you have the rehab budget, a new porch will bring in more potential homebuyers for your Chicago fixer upper for sale.
Take care of the yard
Creating attractive landscaping for your Chicago fixer upper for sale isn’t as costly as you might think. Long gone are the days where a traditional green lawn generates attention. Today’s buyers coming in from other parts of the Windy City are looking for a pop of color as they pull up to a new home. Sprucing up your Chicago fix and flip property with colorful flowers, trimmed trees, and enclosing shrubs can add more to your property’s first impression than anything. You might be surprised at how many Chicago companies flipping houses for profit don’t even take the time to kill off and remove weeds from the walkway leading up to the house. When it comes to homebuyers of rehab properties they will expect a weed-free and attractive landscape. Even if you remove the weeds and plant a few flowers, this couple hundred dollar upgrade can generate good bids.
Never forget the front door
Don’t underestimate your front door when you have a fixer upper for sale in Chicago. Sure, we talked about a wooden front porch and landscaping, but for some reason it is the front door that attracts a homebuyers attention. A few things to keep in mind are that the front door should be solid and fit well into the frame without any gaps. Remember Chicago has extremes in the winter and summer. The door should be a presence, meaning that it should be appealing and fit your renovated home. If you are flipping a Greystone or gothic brick home, your door should be ornate. If you are rehabbing a Chicago brick bungalow your door should supplement the decor. Your door should be a different color and style than your neighbor’s next door and across the street. Also, if possible consider adding a door with additional glass panes to let in more light. For an older home, you can never go wrong with stained glass.
When it comes to improving your Chicago fixer upper for sale you can never go wrong with improving the first impression of the house or property. Pops of color and unique additions are always welcome and provide a sense of comfort and warmth to your fix and flip property before the future homeowners have had a chance to step inside. Of course the exterior of your home has additional considerations such as the windows and roof, but these five exterior improvements include both the necessary as well as the less costly improvements that won’t cost you your entire budget.
Windy City Cash Buyers pays cash for houses in any condition in Chicago, specializing in historic Chicago southside and Chicago westside homes. We also have owner financed properties for sale with contract for deed agreements that make it easy for you to afford your Chicago fixer upper and is ideal for people with low income and bad credit. Contact Windy City Cash Buyers today to get a fast cash offer for your home in any condition tomorrow!