How to Choose Projects to Upgrade Older Lamar Homes
Buyers often decide to upgrade the older Lamar homes. Some of the historic homes were built in the early 1900s but we can show you representative home styles from any decade. Many older homes are in better condition than their newer counterparts but they still need work.
The home’s price is in your budget. So, you play around with ideas. You might like a shiny new kitchen or bath? How about the flooring? If you like the home, the neighborhood, and the price, you’ll need direction if you decide to remodel. Which projects should you plan to do first?
First Choose Basic Projects
First, we suggest you try to ignore the surface decorative upgrades. For the moment, pay attention to the bones. The foundation, the walls, the attic, and the roof. Does the home have sufficient structural integrity? Has there been water damage, termites, or dangerous integration of asbestos?
Decide whether you need more insulation in the walls or attic to save on energy bills. You might need to replace any clay pipes that tend to crumble. And experts may tell you to replace old ductwork and plumbing fixtures.
Also, look at your lifestyle. If you plan to work at home from a computer, you’ll want to upgrade the wiring. The electricity lines connecting to older homes may not be grounded or energy-efficient. Will it be able to manage the multi-electronic lifestyle of the 21st century?
Aesthetics: Mid Century Modern
In the design sense, those who find older Lamar homes from the mid-1900s are in luck. Today, the Midcentury modern architecture and furnishings add to the popular uncluttered look. Forget the heavy oak and carved woods. The clean horizontal lines create an openness, both in floor plan and furnishings.
See design magazines. Open horizontal or geometric shapes are incorporated into the light fixtures, the furniture style, and the contrasting light and dark color schemes reign, along with open floor plans.
Projects for Mid-Century to Modern Age
In an article entitled, “Projects to bring your 1950s house into the modern age,” Theresa Mears offers several projects. Any of these could be helpful projects to modernize older homes. Most of you do not have the design and carpentry skills of Skip and Joanna Gaines, right? So be realistic. Based on your determination, patience, and budget, which ones would you undertake?
- Change the flooring
- Improve the lighting
- Take down walls
- Hang window treatments at the ceilings
- Remove popcorn ceilings and textured walls
- Paint dark trim and doors
- Replace doors or in large windows
- Vault the ceilings
Layers of Upgrades
Previous owners may have already fussed with the original style. Decide whether previous remodels suit your fancy. For example, would you prefer the original hardwood floors to the shag carpet now covering them? Can you paint the kitchen cabinets and dispense with the draperies? You’ll be able to find several low-cost upgrades. Work with us to find a home with good bones and the best upgraded value.
Lamar Real Estate Agents
For help searching new or older homes in Lamar, Colorado, call Cruikshank Realty (719) 336-7802. Stop by to see us at 20 S. Main Street, Lamar, CO 81052.