Building, Remodeling or Flipping a New home- Insider information

My husband and I were in the market to get a home that would be suitable to live in as we are expecting our first child and wanted a place with lots of outdoor space. We realize that if the nursery becomes nonexistent, we'll have to find other areas of the house which will not allow for this. Luckily, there is an option for those who don't need a large amount of space- moving into an attic! This can be particularly useful for people who do not have time or energy to remodel their entire house from scratch.

When we first looked at the attic market, there were a ton of warning signs that we could not ignore. In fact, the first thing that drew us to this industry was the idea of making money! Many contractors and home improvement experts warn about potential problems in these dwellings. Before jumping into any financial decisions, some people just want to see what all the warnings are about.

If you're considering moving into an attic yourself or deciding to remodel an existing one, it's important to be aware of some things which should be considered. Because most attics are small, there are many people who are attracted to their size as they don't need as much room. If you're in a situation where you need to move immediately, an attic might be an option for you- just be aware of the potential problems ahead of time!

With this information, it's up to you how much risk you want to carry into your new home. While attics can be wonderful homes for small families or areas where the only place for a home is an attic, it's also important to know about all the downsides in case something does go wrong…

A lot of people forget that attics are technically unfinished and that means no insulation. While this is not the end of the world, you will need to know how to properly insulate and heat your attic. Even if you invest in proper insulation and heating your attic, you may want to consider blocking off any unused areas- many attics are designed with a ladder leading to a hatchway that connects to your roof. If you choose not to utilize all of your attic space, it might be smart to block off this area as there have been reports of people falling through them.

As we mentioned, attics are unfinished which means there are many potential problems with leaks and water damage. You may think that you have a good roof system in place- however, if you install ceiling or attic insulation, it can trap moisture which can lead to mold and rot. Make sure to check all the seams of your roof to ensure they are sealed properly and that there are no holes which could allow water. The last thing you want is for your home to get damaged from water damage!

Since most attics do not have insulation, they do not cool down during the summer. With no outside air flow, the temperatures in attics can heat up very fast. Today, there are many attic cooling systems out on the market which can be purchased for less than $100-$200- many contractors even recommend using such systems.

As mentioned, attic fans are one of the best and most common solutions to keep your home cool in the summer. Even though they may be expensive, fans can eliminate most of the heat coming from your home as they will blow air over top of your ceiling and walls and into other areas of your home. They are especially invaluable if you have a wide area with more space than you need.

If you live in an area where there is a lot of humidity, attic leaks can be a big issue for you as mold can grow on these leaks. This can affect the rest of your home and should be fixed as soon as possible.

If you are in the market for an attic, always make sure to check all of your roofs and vents for any signs of a leak- even if you decide not to buy a remodeled attic at first, this research might help you down the road when it comes to purchasing your own home.

If you are moving into an attic that has been remodeled, we suggest going over the entire home with a fine tooth comb to ensure there isn't any previous leaks or damage that may not be visible on first glance. Mold is really bad because it's hard to get rid of once it starts growing.

If you do have a leak, be sure to fix it immediately. There are many professionals out there who can help you with this as some of the leaks can be as easy as filling in a crack or two. You may also want to consider bringing in an inspector to test around your home for potential problems.

While almost all attics are built on wooden frames, there are some which are made with metal beams- although the metal framing will take up less space, these areas can be dangerous because they tend to creep and sag. Most people will choose to rebuild the framing so make sure to do your research and check with a professional before making any major decisions!

With low ceilings, attics are one of the most dangerous places for children who want to play around. If you have young kids or plan on having them in the near future, always be careful if you choose to move into an attic as it can be a dangerous place for them. It might be smart to build a roof deck or area for them as these areas are usually slanted and can be difficult for many kids.