A handy checklist: Stuff to consider when buying a ‘fixer-upper’

Africa Melane speaks to Chris van Zyl, a property developer at Kreate Homes.

Listen below.

Buying a 50-year-old home with the intention of modernising it or refurbishing it into your dream home for a minimum cost can be a reality. But without the right planning, it can become hellishly expensive.

Van Zyl shares this handy checklist to consider before buying a property for renovation:

• Check for schools or other high-value locations to maintain the property value.
• If you are purchasing the property to increase its value; is converting it into an Airbnb or renting it out possible?
• Get the building plans from the local municipality. This will allow you to evaluate what kind of construction can be planned for.
• Ensure that you spend money on quality plumbing and electricity in the home.
• Check for affordable dupes of the more expensive resources or items you want to replace to save money.
• Recycle and re-use items or materials as you renovate instead of discarding them.

Renovations take time and you must be ready for it.

"You must understand that it's going to be like a second job and a period in your life where you dedicate the time and focus on it... you can't just do it for fun, because it will take months and months longer if you do it in that headspace."

- Chris Van Zyl, Property developer - Kreate Homes

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