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Do you recall sunken living rooms, wooden paneling, and brass bathroom fittings? Interior design fads evolve much like those seen on runways, which can sometimes distort your perception of a house when you’re looking for a new place to live.
“I have seen home trends come and go during my extensive time in the real estate industry,” remarks Eric Bramlett, who is both a realtor and the owner.
Bramlett Real Estate
In Austin, Texas. “A feature that was once considered essential can swiftly turn into something potential purchasers would prefer to remove initially. The positive aspect is that many old-fashioned design decisions are
easy to fix
And this shouldn’t prevent you from purchasing a home.”
Nevertheless, certain older elements that extend past just appearance might prove costly and risky to fix, according to Bramlett. “Issues related to structure, obsolete wiring systems, and harmful substances present a separate challenge. While purchasing a home, concentrate on aspects that hold lasting importance. Should an aspect require only modest investment of time and funds to address, avoid letting it deter you; however, should it involve significant safety or structural concerns, then reconsider,” he recommends.
We talked to both homebuyers and real estate experts to find out which old-fashioned home features they dislike the most. Below are four previously popular home styles that have lost appeal but can be readily modified or improved, as well as one style that buyers generally won’t compromise on.
Intercoms: Easy Fix
In the old days, when families didn’t have each person owning a cellphone and smart home technology wasn’t around yet, people relied on large plastic intercoms for communicating across their homes. During visits to potential new houses, one would often come across these outdated gadgets.
popular in the 1980s
They might grab your attention and leave you wondering whether you can comfortably coexist with them. Fortunately, removing or disguising them is simple—just use a bookshelf, piece of art, or hutch to conceal them.
Wallpaper, Stencils, and Vibrant Paint Hues: Simple Solutions
A number of individuals we talked to pointed out old-fashioned and visually jarring wall treatments, including striking paint shades, vibrant patterned wallpapers, ornamental border designs, and stenciled patterns on the walls.
Writer
Gary Wollenhaupt
Recently relocated to Colorado Springs, Colorado, I had to contend with outdated wall designs. “We decided not to focus on accent walls or stencils since we’ve painted multiple times before,” he explains. “It seems the former homeowners took a trip to Paris and left behind various Paris-inspired stencils throughout the home, such as one depicting an iconic perfumery in the main bedroom and another of a bakery on the kitchen pantry door.”
Even though Wollenhaupt hasn’t tackled the Paris theme in his new residence yet, he understands that such issues are relatively simple to resolve. These are typical outdated aspects of a home that shouldn’t deter you if you’re fond of the property overall. “Many individuals view a house from the 1990s as more problematic than they actually are; however, spending just a weekend painting can completely transform it,” explains Bramlett.
Popcorn Ceilings: Easy Fix
Sheldon Sutherland, the retail guru and proprietor of
Epoxy Werx
In Surprise, Arizona, someone recently bought their first house and noticed unsightly popcorn ceilings when they looked up. They stumbled upon an attractive
house from the 1990s
He mentions, “It featured popcorn ceilings,” adding, “At first, this outdated feature deterred me, but I soon understood that this superficial issue was easily addressable with some work and funds.” Tackling the ceilings allowed Sutherland to grasp which home characteristics in the market were primarily aesthetic and simple to rectify versus structural issues that could spoil an entire deal.
If your popcorn ceiling was installed in 1980 or earlier, it might contain asbestos, which necessitates professional removal for safety reasons.
Outdated Lighting Fixtures: Simple Solutions
Although old-fashioned lighting may be unsightly, replacing them is generally simple and budget-friendly, and should not discourage potential buyers from purchasing a home. A content marketer and branding professional would agree.
Jasmine Charbonier
Recently purchased a house in Tampa, Florida. She wasn’t fond of the terrible Hollywood-style vanity lights, gleaming brass bathroom fittings, and fluorescent rectangular luminaires. Nonetheless, she mentioned that these can be easily replaced.
quick DIY project
.
Bramlett concurs: “Although they may appear unsightly, changing light fixtures is fast and inexpensive. Such renovations aren’t costly and should not be a reason to dismiss the property if the fundamental structure of the home is sound,” he states.
Knob-and-Tube Electrical Wiring: Warning Signal
Although certain dated home trends can be straightforward to tackle, there are others that serve as warning signs because they might result in significant costs to rectify or upgrade, often involving substantial renovation or addressing serious health and safety concerns. Sutherland experienced the dismay of finding out about ancient electrical wiring which was quite off-putting. “What seemed like an ideal home unveiled its real problems when the
inspector uncovered
“Extensive knob-and-tube wiring concealed behind newly painted walls, which presented a potentially dangerous and financially draining problem, causing me to rule out that option right away,” he states.
This experience taught him to look past superficial issues, such as those previously discussed, and concentrate instead on vital components like electrical work, plumbing, and structural foundations. It’s essential to bring in an expert for a comprehensive evaluation.
home inspection
In today’s cutthroat real estate scene, where turnkey properties fetch top dollar, smart purchasers can discover great deals.
properties with outdated aesthetics
However, with sturdy frames, these pieces allow for customization without requiring extensive spending on crucial fixes,” notes Sutherland.
