House buying/owning advice

[Stevesie60]

Let's just say, hypothetically of course, that you were given $2000 to fix up your house. Would putting that towards new windows be a good investment, or do you guys think there's something more fun that you could do with it?

[Emo EMAW]

Plan to own home for more than 5 more years? 

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[Stevesie60]

Plan to own home for more than 5 more years? 

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The plan is 7-8 years, so yes, barely.

[ednksu]

it's all drained through the floor drain down there. I think it all came up through the drain last night though. 

had a friend in PV with that problem- turned out the check valve the city put in when they addressed the flooding problems back in the 80s was backwards.

Old houses man...I have a feeling the pipe under the floor is all busted so water just comes up through the opening.  gonna have a plumber out to take a look

Ts and Ps on that one dude.  House I'm in now had to replace the line out because it was cracked and allowed a back flow. 

[ednksu]

flood insurance is mandated for most places here lol

Get a sump pump with battery back up and you will be fine.

nyet, get a water pwered backup.   Battery systems reuqire a lot of maintenance.   Water powered just require municipal water supply, no power.

Hydro pumps don't really keep up with crap loads of water all that well. 

[Kat Kid]

Let's just say, hypothetically of course, that you were given $2000 to fix up your house. Would putting that towards new windows be a good investment, or do you guys think there's something more fun that you could do with it?

I don't know much, but I would look at how much it would be to re do a portion of the kitchen, redecorate a bathroom or preemptively replace an HVAC system or hot water heater.

The HVAC/windows work together to hold down energy costs over time.  I don't think your house would really need new windows due to inefficiency/age but an HVAC might be needed soon.  I would be very skeptical of what types of savings you are quoted as getting from sales people for any of these things and I would be more apt to listen to a friendly realtor giving advice than anyone else as they know what buyers value.  My guess, it probably isn't a new set of windows unless they are super sexy.

[CNS]

Windows that aren't builder grade can get expensive and that $2000 wouldn't get you more than 5 or so(only a couple in the extremely sexy models).

Maybe some counter tops?  How is your ext paint or roof doing? 

How old is the water heater and furnace?  Either of these would be a good investment as well.

[wetwillie]

im not sure you can do any real damage with 2k on a house.  If you can I would focus on kitchen and bath as those usually have the best ROI.  Maybe an Island in the kitchen if you can DIY or some nice tile floors in the bath with an upgraded vanity and lighting.

[hemmy]

home theater. my real estate buddy said that could increase the house's value by 35%

[8manpick]

Windows won't pay back quickly unless you have really old crappy ones

[Kat Kid]

Windows won't pay back quickly unless you have really old crappy ones

yeah.  I think HVAC won't pay back quick either in terms of cost savings, but people will probably pay more knowing they won't need to replace an expensive durable good.

[Stevesie60]

HVAC was replaced the month before we moved in, and the roof is good to go. The bathroom was redone about two years ago.

[Stevesie60]

What about a bunch of little things like painting trim, putting fans in the bed rooms, new blinds, etc? Is that a better idea than windows?

[star seed 7]

HVAC was replaced the month before we moved in, and the roof is good to go. The bathroom was redone about two years ago.

Kitchen?

Hardwood instead of carpet?

Some cool yard thing like a built-in fire pit or exterior kitchen?

[06wildcat]

What about a bunch of little things like painting trim, putting fans in the bed rooms, new blinds, etc? Is that a better idea than windows?

How shitty are your windows?

[star seed 7]

Should def have a ceiling fan in every bedroom

[Stevesie60]

HVAC was replaced the month before we moved in, and the roof is good to go. The bathroom was redone about two years ago.

Kitchen?

Hardwood instead of carpet?

Some cool yard thing like a built-in fire pit or exterior kitchen?

In the kitchen we want to replace the cabinets but that's about it. I'd like to wait on that so we have a better idea of what we'd like. We already have hardwood and tile everywhere except in the bedrooms. We already have a fire pit in the yard.

What about a bunch of little things like painting trim, putting fans in the bed rooms, new blinds, etc? Is that a better idea than windows?

How shitty are your windows?

They're not hindering us now, but it's something we will definitely replace before we move.

[AppleJack]

What about a bunch of little things like painting trim, putting fans in the bed rooms, new blinds, etc? Is that a better idea than windows?

yes. do this.

[GoodForAnother]

blinds.com is pretty neat. select your type, put in your window measurements, they ship them and you mount them. could probably do faux wood for 2 grand, although it's been a while since I looked at it.

[Kat Kid]

do a bunch of little stuff.  what is the problem with the windows?

[SdK]

Let's just say, hypothetically of course, that you were given $2000 to fix up your house. Would putting that towards new windows be a good investment, or do you guys think there's something more fun that you could do with it?

Would you be able to do all of the windows for that price? I'm doubting it a bit. Refacing cabinets look into that. It's a lot cheaper than getting all new cabinets. Countertops. Updating bathrooms and kitchens are always key.

Windows can be tricky if the windows in your house aren't a standard size. Then you either have to get custom windows or make your window bays bigger or smaller. Then you will run into dealing with the siding. It is doable. Also if there's any projects you want to do yourself. SdK is always down for helping.

[SdK]

I replied before I read everyone else's replies. to my g.E brethern on giving solid advice uniformly.

[CNS]

Def get fans.  Also, agree on the cabinet refacing.  I know a few ppl  that have had it done and like them.  It is pretty reasonable too.

[Stevesie60]

Def get fans.  Also, agree on the cabinet refacing.  I know a few ppl  that have had it done and like them.  It is pretty reasonable too.

A family member builds cabinets so we'd get them for cost. Really we're just waiting for him to get time to do them or we'd do that immediately because the cabinets are beyond refacing.

[CNS]

Counter tops after the cabinets!