Bad layout? Don't put (keep) your walls up just yet...

If you've found a suitable property, in your dream neighbourhood but just can't fathom the layout... don't write it off just yet. Buyers looking for a property interested in established neighbourhoods will run into this time and time again. You walk in, and all you can hear is Mike Holmes' booming voice in your head warning you that those walls are STRUCTURE, supportive, intergal. When I first started looking at homes in Old South, and then Southcrest (the two neighbourhoods I bought in) I was plauged with century homes and midcentury homes that had wonderful features but open concept wasn't one of them.

"I've got 99 features, but open concept 'aint one"

I assumed that taking out any potion of a supporting wall required engineers and all kinds of other professionals were needed. Eventually- 3 years after purchasing my midcentury home I noted that my new neighbour was a contractor, he invited me over to look at the progress he had made on renovating the home he had purchased from his (late) father earlier in the year.

It was a mirror image of my house (with some notable differences over 65 years- including a second story addition on mine) BUT but... there was no wall between the livingroom and kitchen.

This is something I had assumed would be at LEAST 10 thousand dollars to accomplish- so I meekly asked- how much does something like that cost to do. He came over, and did some measurements and gave me a full price from big ugly plaster wall to open space ready to paint. In the end It was 1/5 of the cost I expected. How many houses had I written off because of a supporting wall in a poor place, or a bad main floor layout.

Finishing one project before starting the next is over rated

The other side of the wall that shall open into a passage

Open concept finally #homerenovation #renos #loveit

As a bonus I got a pantry, rounded corners on my drywall and a fresh coat of paint and at the end of the day the value I added to my home is multiple times what I paid to do the renovation.

If you don't mind living through the chaos of a renovation, if you have some vision and want to truly make a property your own and most importantly if you want to add value to a home and increase YOUR equity- don't write off a house with a poor layout without doing some research to see what's possible. When you're ready to see what's out there- let me know, I can't wait to start the search with you.