https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 10 May 2026 04:47:54 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-to-build-or-reno-your-forever-home/page/2#post-2573992 Thu, 23 Jun 2016 19:08:57 +0000 kodybear 2573992@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>build from scratch!! we did it and still very happy. we're just not good at doing diy projects, and even if we hire people, somehow the projects always end up badly. we love how everything is new and up to date, don't have to worry about lead paint or any other health/safety issues. the yards and character of the house aren't as nice as older houses though but i guess you can't have it both ways. :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-to-build-or-reno-your-forever-home/page/2#post-2573984 Thu, 23 Jun 2016 18:58:40 +0000 ShootingStar 2573984@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Renos scare me too much. I think I've watched too much hgtv, lol. I feel like there's bad surprises lurking behind every wall you have to open up. </p> <p>DH and I are definitely interested in building from scratch one day. And I currently love all the space and beautiful details in my "McMansion" :silly: . </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-to-build-or-reno-your-forever-home/page/2#post-2573950 Thu, 23 Jun 2016 18:12:44 +0000 WinterBee 2573950@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@regberadaisy: Thanks for the encouragement. :)<br /> We're 2 years in and we have done a ton of work. Like you said, everyone loves it, but it does seem never ending at times. We have yet to have something completely finished haha. My husband is great, but he finishes projects 95% then moves on, it drives me crazy.<br /> I'm pregnant right now so he's working on making the trim for the nursery, we will finally have one completed room in our house! Woohoo! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-to-build-or-reno-your-forever-home/page/2#post-2573799 Thu, 23 Jun 2016 16:00:11 +0000 LuLu Mom 2573799@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i'd prefer to build from scratch but this may be a delimma we are in soon. We ere always planning on building on family land, now DH's family was wondering if we would take over the existing home (we would be the 3rd generation there) I told DH only if they we okay with a complete renovation...like Chip and Joanna Gaines style ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-to-build-or-reno-your-forever-home/page/2#post-2573778 Thu, 23 Jun 2016 15:42:14 +0000 QBbride 2573778@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would reno an older home, because I prefer more established neighbourhoods with bigger trees, different looking houses etc. than new developments. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-to-build-or-reno-your-forever-home/page/2#post-2573765 Thu, 23 Jun 2016 15:34:48 +0000 mrsbubbletea 2573765@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@KayKay: that sounds perfect :). Lots of flipped houses where I live and as long as it's a good one I would pick that option! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-to-build-or-reno-your-forever-home#post-2573763 Thu, 23 Jun 2016 15:33:44 +0000 mrsbubbletea 2573763@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@regberadaisy: so cool! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-to-build-or-reno-your-forever-home#post-2573754 Thu, 23 Jun 2016 15:27:42 +0000 fuzzypeaches 2573754@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are planning a Reno for the fall 🙈<br /> I'm scared but was more scared to build from scratch hahahaha </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-to-build-or-reno-your-forever-home#post-2573729 Thu, 23 Jun 2016 15:09:54 +0000 KayKay 2573729@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wanted to add, while I voted reno...and mentioned that we did just buy a reno....it was a house that a builder/architect group had basically bought &amp; reno'd themselves to flip. So while I got most of the benefits of a reno (older established neighborhood, totally gutted &amp; redone interior/roof/mechanicals, etc), I didn't actually have to live in it during the reno :) Since we really liked all/most of the finishes they chose, it worked out really well for us -- a move-in ready reno w/ new construction warranties :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-to-build-or-reno-your-forever-home#post-2573631 Thu, 23 Jun 2016 13:33:59 +0000 SugarplumsMom 2573631@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If there's no hurry, I'd build from scratch. It's a PITA to renovate. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-to-build-or-reno-your-forever-home#post-2573610 Thu, 23 Jun 2016 13:10:36 +0000 Modern Daisy 2573610@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think all the cool home Reno shows on hgtv have kind of given us all an unrealistic expectation of what a home Reno really involves and costs. We just had a small addition put on the back of our house and it cost $100k and took 6 months. Our builder lost money on it so we did not overpay. I can tell you that even with both of us working full time outside the home and the addition being in an unused section of the house it was a horrific pain to have contractors here for 6 straight months. I'm happy with the results but if we ever move the house cannot require major reno's. It's just about being able to get in and out of the driveway without shuffling cars around and maintaining privacy. Oh and it always costs way more than you think, so I wouldn't even say it's cheaper to buy an old house and fix it up. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-to-build-or-reno-your-forever-home#post-2573568 Thu, 23 Jun 2016 12:39:57 +0000 sunny 2573568@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it would be too much pressure to build from scratch! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-to-build-or-reno-your-forever-home#post-2573292 Thu, 23 Jun 2016 10:03:25 +0000 Freckles 2573292@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It depends. If you're only renovating and not building out or up, i would go with the renovation.</p> <p>Otherwise, i would rather buy a tear down in a developed neighbourhood, demolish the house and build from scratch. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-to-build-or-reno-your-forever-home#post-2573268 Thu, 23 Jun 2016 09:50:22 +0000 Maysprout 2573268@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think the logistics of renovating are harder. But I think the best areas are often already built in most areas. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-to-build-or-reno-your-forever-home#post-2573237 Thu, 23 Jun 2016 09:37:49 +0000 Meltini 2573237@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We did reno an 150 year old house. We did all the work ourselves (reframed a lot of the interior, built and addition, all new plumbing, electrical, HVAC, etc) and it SUCKED but we have a beautiful house we are very proud of. I will tell you that a reno will likely be more work than a new build but an old house also has so much character that you just don't find anymore. I'd do a reno with the knowledge that it's going to suck but be worth it in the end. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-to-build-or-reno-your-forever-home#post-2573196 Thu, 23 Jun 2016 09:21:44 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2573196@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My dream is to retire and build a home from scratch. The ability to take my sweet time with the process without care about kids or work is most appealing.</p> <p>If you like the neighborhood and your specific piece of property then go for a renovation. I would not renovate the house we bought here since this isn't my ideal lot. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-to-build-or-reno-your-forever-home#post-2573172 Thu, 23 Jun 2016 09:13:10 +0000 youboots 2573172@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We live in a 100 year old home and have put the equivalent of 30% of the purchase price into renovations. It's gorgeous and historic but the rooms are very seperate and there are a lot of features lacking/impossible to convert (specifically a great room and a laundry room). I hope to eventually build a home. There is a lot in our favorite town in an established neighborhood of custom homes we have had our eye on. They pop loose occasionally. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-to-build-or-reno-your-forever-home#post-2573152 Thu, 23 Jun 2016 09:05:24 +0000 DillonLion 2573152@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd rather build. Renovations/house projects/old houses do not really interest either of us whatsoever. We bought our current house because it was 100% move in ready and we've done basically one project (added a pergola to the backyard) the entire 5 years we've lived in it. Never painted, never done anything major. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-to-build-or-reno-your-forever-home#post-2573108 Thu, 23 Jun 2016 08:45:47 +0000 chopsuey 2573108@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@NorthStar: hahah same! Picking interior/exterior/cabinet colors was the most stressful for me! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-to-build-or-reno-your-forever-home#post-2573096 Thu, 23 Jun 2016 08:42:24 +0000 Rescuemom10 2573096@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I LOVE character of old homes. I love the beauty and craftsmanship in woodwork and things you seem to find more in older home. Especially older Country homes. I would die to be able to rebuild an old farmhouse. Not just because of recent "trends". I'm a country girl at heart and its always been my dream.</p> <p>For right now, I find pleasure in just refinishing old furniture but one day would LOVE to do a house. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-to-build-or-reno-your-forever-home#post-2573053 Thu, 23 Jun 2016 08:23:45 +0000 looch 2573053@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Build from scratch. I live in an old house (it's only 50 years old) but it can't be renovated without basically knocking it down and starting over. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-to-build-or-reno-your-forever-home#post-2573047 Thu, 23 Jun 2016 08:21:20 +0000 lamariniere 2573047@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We will not be buying for years to come, but I like to think about it. :happy: I'm torn, on the one hand, I love older places (our current apartment was built in the 1880s), but neither my husband nor I are handy at all, so we wouldn't do anything ourselves. On the other hand, I am extremely picky about EVERYTHING when it comes to homes, so I would love to be able to pick/choose/design what I like (with someone else building it!). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-to-build-or-reno-your-forever-home#post-2573045 Thu, 23 Jun 2016 08:20:48 +0000 NorthStar 2573045@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@chopsuey: We did the same thing. It was a lot of work, but we have exactly what we want. Well, except for things that I wish I would have changed or chosen differently now looking back. I'm also ready to repaint some rooms! lol It's hard choosing paint colors for the whole house at one time! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-to-build-or-reno-your-forever-home#post-2573038 Thu, 23 Jun 2016 08:16:14 +0000 LilSprinkles 2573038@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When hubby retires, and we finally get to stay in one place, we plan on building. Moving every few years helps us realize what we want/don't want. For us, it's just easier to start from nothing and have it built the way we want. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-to-build-or-reno-your-forever-home#post-2573028 Thu, 23 Jun 2016 08:05:05 +0000 808love 2573028@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When we first moved in, we chose an old home that had great bones and clean home inspection report but could use some TLC. I can't say it was a fixer upper because we didn't come in with a budget to fix it up. We have done a few things each year to improve it though. We didn't want to live in cookie cutter or have HOA dues, or pay to build our yard with grass, landscaping etc. </p> <p>Close friends of ours soon bought cookie cutter/new development just a few blocks away and we were like, They are crazy. That's so expensive and too big. </p> <p>Fast forward 7 years...their property value went up quicker as a new build. They spent a ton on their yard. But I tell you, their house is beautiful and ours is sort of, well, old. I think they will have it better down the line when ours will need repairs right around retirement age. :-) Every time we even mention moving, LO is like, "NO, I love it here. This is my home." So it would take us a lot to move. I do love the small size of our home and that doesn't bother us at all. Also mortgage, utilities, neighbors are just right so I'm happy with that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-to-build-or-reno-your-forever-home#post-2572989 Thu, 23 Jun 2016 07:31:40 +0000 Alivoo01 2572989@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Depending on location and if I could dictate exactly what I want in the home, I'd build. Energy efficiency now days in new builds are awesome on utilities man! We had an older home prior to our current home and it's hundreds of dollars difference; and our previous home was more than half the size of our current home so yea...</p> <p>Even if we renovated the older home, it wouldn't nearly be as energy efficient, or if it was, the cost to renovate would be astronomical. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-to-build-or-reno-your-forever-home#post-2572972 Thu, 23 Jun 2016 07:27:41 +0000 winniebee 2572972@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>All things being equal, I would renovate an older home. I love the feel of an older home and much prefer established neighborhoods over new developments. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-to-build-or-reno-your-forever-home#post-2572965 Thu, 23 Jun 2016 07:25:14 +0000 chopsuey 2572965@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We built from scratch.<br /> Bought a plot of land, found a builder/architect, picked out every last detail. It was a lot of work and stressful at times, but was so much fun! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-to-build-or-reno-your-forever-home#post-2572956 Thu, 23 Jun 2016 07:19:35 +0000 KayKay 2572956@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just bought a gutted/added-on reno. We didn't want to be out in the 'burbs for sure, which is where most of the totally new build neighborhoods are (that I am not a fan of typically). So our options in the walkable/urban neighborhoods were either what we got or a tear-down/new build. I didn't want to deal with a lot of the reno myself, so we did look at a lot of new builds...but...a lot of them are big houses built on the original small lots, and just feel so...sterile/cookie cutter? Like after we had seen 3 or 4 of them, I felt like we were just seeing basically the same house over and over! The one we bought preserved a lot of the old 1940s charm but new finishes/windows/etc. we love it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-to-build-or-reno-your-forever-home#post-2572932 Thu, 23 Jun 2016 05:56:08 +0000 ValentineMommy 2572932@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you're referring to a "McMansion" (development home), then I say definitely renovation. I'm an interior designer, and these types of homes, while they look nice, lack the personality of a reno-ed older home. </p> <p>If you're talking about literally designing and building your own home (with an architect and not just picking from a few design options), then that's a totally different ballgame (and my dream come true)! </p>