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Phone: 979-693-0201 Email: [email protected]

Myke Leatham | Brazos County Realty

Myke Leatham | Brazos County Realty

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10 Home Renovation Mistakes to Avoid In Your Bryan TX Home

September 27, 2018 by Myke Leatham

Home renovation is more than just a simple project that homeowners undertake when they want to spruce up their property. Nowadays, renovating your Bryan TX home has become trendy! There are so many popular HGTV shows that highlight flipping homes, fixer uppers and remodeling existing rooms. The popular Fixer Upper TV show is actually filmed less than 100 miles away from Bryan, TX! These shows let homeowners know that they have many different options to choose from if they live in an outdated property, if they need a change of scenery or if they are looking to buy a new home that will need some serious TLC before the move in. 

Whether you are looking to buy a fixer upper in Bryan, TX and completely transform the property from top to bottom, or if you just need a quick kitchen or bathroom refresh then it’s important that you do it right the first time. A home renovation project can take a big chunk out of your budget, and it’ll become even more costly if it’s not done properly. Whether you are choosing to take the DIY route or hiring a professional contractor to oversee and manage your home renovation project, make sure you are prepared ahead of time by creating a strict budget and timeline that everyone will have to stick to. Even with these parameters in place, you can always expect to spend a little more time and money, because as we’ve all seen on TV there are always unpredictable situations and issues that can arise. 

If you have decided to tackle your Bryan, TX home renovation project on your own, make sure that you are well informed and prepared before you begin the work. It’s important to stay safe and ask for help if you see that you need it – it’s always better to be safe than sorry. If you are choosing to hire a contractor, project manager, designer or other industry professional make sure to do your due diligence and check references and interview multiple candidates before you make your final selection. You don’t want to hire someone on a whim and realize halfway through the project that they aren’t executing your vision properly or that it’s just not working out. There are a various other renovation mistakes to avoid and we’ve listed a few of the more common ones that we’ve seen below!

  1. Measuring Incorrectly

This is especially relevant for those who are taking the DIY route. It’s better to measure the same area multiple times and make sure you have the correct dimensions. Being off by even a fraction of an inch can have big repercussions, which can lead to poor fitting, running out of material and having to order more or even not having enough room to install any major appliances. It’s better to spend the time preparing properly so you don’t have to spend more money later. If you are working with someone else, have them measure as well so you can compare your numbers and ensure that they are accurate. 

This also goes for selecting and ordering furniture for your newly renovated Bryan, TX home. Don’t fall in love with a 94-inch sofa when you know that your living space can only accommodate an 84-inch sofa. It’s also a good idea to measure the door widths in your home so that you can know whether your new purchases will fit through the door or if you’ll have to get creative as to how new items will be brought into the home. 

  1. Skimping on Quality Materials

When you are selecting tile, flooring, windows and other materials it’s always a good idea to splurge on better quality materials so that the work will look better and last longer. Select durable, high-quality materials that won’t need to be replaced in a couple of years. Building materials are also not the place to economize, if you are on a strict budget then there are other ways to save money. 

  1. Setting Unrealistic Expectations

Starting a Bryan, TX home renovation project, whether it’s a complete remodel or just one or two rooms, can be a stressful, time consuming and expensive experience. To minimize the stress, it’s important to set realistic expectations from the very beginning – you need to set a realistic budget, a realistic timeline and for your expectations of the final product to be realistic as well. Renovations often cost more than expected, so one way to stay on top of your budget is to build in an extra 20% into the budget so you can be well prepared for any surprises.

  1. Expecting Everything to Go According to Plan

This goes hand in hand with setting realistic expectations. Remodeling can be messy, inconvenient, noisy and unpredictable. How many times have you watched an HGTV show where mold shows up in the walls, a room is unpermitted, or some other expensive challenge pops up that makes the project more expensive and takes longer to be completed? The best way to prepare for a remodeling project is to expect the unexpected and be flexible if things don’t go according to plan. 

  1. Picking the Wrong Paint

Most people will spend hours comparing paint samples when searching for the perfect color for their home. The mistake homeowners make often is that they don’t spend as much time or thought into the many different types of paint that are available for purchase. Manufacturers create different paint types for the different surfaces in a home, and they are not all the same. For example, flat paint does not have a shine, will show marks and is very difficult to clean. This type of paint is best used on ceilings and walls that don’t see a lot of foot traffic. On the other hand, semi-gloss and glossy paint provides a nice sheen, and is the perfect option for walls in bathrooms, kitchens and other rooms that are often occupied. 

  1. Selecting Appliances Last

Appliances are the ornamental jewelry that adorns the kitchen, and it’s important to design the heart of the home around these big statement pieces. By selecting your appliances first, you can make sure that the overall design will accommodate the items that you really want and that the space will allow for the installation of any bigger pieces like a range or double fridge. Just because you select and buy your appliances early on in the process, doesn’t mean that they have to be installed until you are ready for it. 

  1. Buying Materials too Early

Before you go out and start spending money on flooring, tile, appliances and other building materials you want to make sure that all of your project plans are finalized. Your Bryan, TX home project also needs to be far enough along to where measurements can be taken accurately, and the dimensions won’t change. Otherwise, you risk buying the wrong quantities of materials or ordering appliances that won’t fit your space. 

  1. Not Ordering Extra Materials

The same way that we recommended padding your budget with 20%, we encourage you to order 20% extra building materials to make sure your job is completed. This is especially important when it comes to flooring, because you want to account for installation waste and any potential defects. It’s also a good idea to have some extra paint on hand for the future – you never know when you’ll need to patch up a wall or paint over some scuff marks that are difficult to clean up. 

  1. Impulse Buying

It can be extremely tempting to buy something you fall in love with, especially if you happen to find it on sale or offered at a significant discount. Before you buy something for your Bryan, TX home renovation project, make sure that it fits with the overall design aesthetic that you are looking to achieve. It’s also important to ensure that this new addition also fits within your budget. 

  1. Working Without a Permit

If you are working with an industry professional, like a contractor, they will be responsible for getting any necessary building permits your project requires before and during the job. However, it is your responsibility to make sure that there are no issues that pop up later. Check in with your local building department to determine what, if any, permits are required for your project. If your project is unpermitted, you risk having it torn down, and when you try to sell your home later on it will affect the resale value of the property. It could even block the actual sale itself. 

Embarking on a home renovation project is an exciting time, and it’s even more exciting when the work is complete, and you can enjoy your new Bryan, TX home. Whether you are renovating a home top to bottom, or simply updating a few rooms here and there, the most important tip to keep in mind is to prepare ahead of time so you can avoid costly mistakes. If you have any questions or are in search of guidance and recommendations, contact our team at Brazos County Realty. We would be happy to help you find the perfect fixer upper property in Bryan, TX that you can transform into your dream home. Take some time to browse our properties and search through available listings – then give us a call and let us help you navigate the current real estate market!

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Category: Blog

About Myke Leatham

I’m so glad you found me – your College Station and Bryan, TX real estate source! When you choose to buy or sell a home in College Station/Bryan, TX or other surrounding areas using our expert services, you will receive a free consultation to determine your needs, free listings, and free reports sent to you by email. These weekly reports will show you how hard the members of my team are working to accomplish your property goals, and we guarantee the best service and consultation you have ever experienced. You’ll find the best community information for the College Station, Texas region right here.

It’s nice to know YOUR Realtor will still be of service after the sale.

Experience Counts: Broker/Owner of Brazos County Realty
Over 25 years of sales experience. With past ABR, GRI, CRS, & Epro designations.
Continuing education in real estate: Education is paramount in an ever changing industry like Real Estate. Myke has taken over 1000 hours of real estate specific courses which include but are not limited to: Residential Appraisal, Marketing, Law Contracts I & II, Finance, Residential Inspections, Principles and Practice, Law of Agency, Code of Ethics, Bankruptcy/Easements/Surveys/and Probate, Home Warranties, 1031 Exchanges and hundreds of hours of extensive real estate training.

Reputation: SALES LEADER since 1998; Top Producer 2000 through 2009. Listed among the top agents in the county. Consistently ranked among top realtors for total sales volume out of 900 realtors for commercial and residential real estate in the Bryan/College Station, TX area. When Myke represents buyers, she presents all viable options to her clients, including those properties that are not officially listed, but could be available for sale based on her inside information. Her expertise lies with investors and marketing homes of all price ranges in College Station/Bryan to local, national and global buyers, across all major media channels and through her extensive, personal network of contacts.

Myke is among the top 1% of all Realtors in North America!
She has earned the Designations of ABR (Accredited Buyers Representative), CRS(Certified Residential Specialist), GRI (Graduate of Realtors Institute)CHMS (Certified Home Marketing Specialist), and E-pro (Certified Internet Professional)
Fewer than 3% of all Realtors nationwide earn these certifications. They are not only a symbol of Myke’s commitment to this business, but these designations are your assurance of a skilled, trained real estate professional.

Myke is a consummate real estate professional who not only understands the art of deal-making, but also the art of relationships. She makes the process of buying and selling homes an uplifting and fun experience. She has a tremendous appreciation for Bryan and College Station, its rich history, and Texas A&M traditions having lived in the area for 25 years. Her knowledge of Bryan/College Station’s real estate market and market trends is unparalleled. Having been personally involved with clients through their remodeling, purchasing and selling processes, she knows intrinsic quality and value when she sees it. When she doesn’t see it she lets her clients know, without hesitation.
Myke’s proven track record and affiliations in the field of real estate demonstrates her high level of professionalism.

* High energy and enthusiasm
* Aggressive marketing
* Expert negotiating skills
* Ability to listen and ascertain customer’s desires and needs
* Fun to be with
* Internet savvy
* Because Myke is an experienced investor, she quickly helps her customers locate and define good business opportunities. No one likes the feeling of being ‘sold to’ so Myke provides as much information as possible to help you make the right decision.

Personal Commitment:
I am prepared to go the ‘Extra Mile’ for you, because I understand the financial and emotional significance of purchasing and selling your home. I will carefully listen to your desires and arrive at a workable plan. I believe sensitivity, listening, and service are important keys to success.
Whether you are buying or selling a home or you are just curious about your home’s market value, I’d be happy to provide my market expertise and intelectual property without obligation, or meet with you to evaluate your home for future reference. I want my customers to have a great time and enjoy the total process of purchasing or selling property. It gives me great pride when my customerspass my name on to their friends and family. I will continue to work hard to make sure critical information is available at www.AggieRealEstate.com and I invite all interested investors to search my site for cash flow opportunities. I will dedicate my time and talents to helping you achieve your goals. It is my goal to make your buying and selling experience extraordinary. Look closely and you’ll see how much I love meeting and working with people. You’ll experience the difference in working with an experienced and dedicated professional.

Personal information:
Michelle goes by ‘Myke’ and is the proud mother of 6 children – 3 girls and 3 boys. Her husband is David Leatham. They met at Brigham Young University. They have been married since 1977. David is a finance professor, and Associate Head over graduate studies in the Agricultural Economics Department at Texas A&M University, and speaks fluent Spanish. They have lived in College Station since 1983 and loved every minute of it. Myke loves to quilt, sing, swim, ‘sing’, bake bread, ‘sing,’ garden, ‘sing’, sell real estate, and ‘sing some more’ :-). Family, church, and real estate consume most of her time. Truth, honor, integrity, kindness, loyalty, gratitude, and service are very important words to her.

Slogan: ‘Let Myke Help You With Your HOMEwork!’

Referrals: The highest compliment I can get is when you pass my name on to others or post a kind remark on the internet. When you send your friends and family my way, I’ll always provide them with the highest quality of service that I know you would appreciate. Thanks in advance for all your support and friendship.

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