Rehab advice on old 1800s farmhouse
I recently closed on an old farmhouse that was built pre-1900 with the plan to BRRR it. The house is solid structurally and in a great area that I expect to appreciate, but I need to replace plumbing, electrical, add a bathroom, and paint the entire house inside and outside. I have a contractor who gave me two options:
1) Do the things listed above - which is under the budget I set for the reno as part of the due diligence process
2) Do all the 'must-do' items, and also replace the roof (roof is 12-15 years old but passed inspection), vinyl siding, cover the existing hardwood flooring with LVP, and upgrade the kitchen - items that aren't absolutely necessary to do now, but would increase the appraisal and reduce maintenance costs in the future. This estimate is about $50k over my budget.
Doing option #2 would mean that I would likely need to leave more capital in the house in order to achieve the same cash flow, even with rental income being $100-$200/higher per month.
Is it better to do everything up front at once if you are planning to keep the house long-term, or to spread out over 5-10 years, even if it means a lower appraisal and lower rental income in the beginning? Welcome advice, other questions, and experience in this space, as this is going to be the biggest reno project I have undertaken to date.
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- Real Estate Agent
- Columbus Cleveland Dayton, OH
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Hey Katie,
For a property like yours, it usually makes sense to focus on the "must-do" items first to stay on budget and maintain positive cash flow, especially if you're using BRRRR. Spreading out optional upgrades over time can help reduce risk and let rental income cover some future costs. In the Midwest, we often see similar old homes where phased renovations allow investors to manage cash flow while still building equity, and keeping rehabs strategic helps avoid overcapitalizing upfront. Prioritize structural and system updates first, then layer on cosmetic or value-add items once cash flow is stable and numbers make sense.