If you were me, would you get in debt to improve your home?

coconutcurls

I am a council tenant and exchanged to the flat where I am now a few months ago. The other flat's location and environment was much better however my daughter's room was really tiny  - toddler's furniture lol - and as she is a teen, she did need something bigger and her room looks lovely now, however...

Although the estate is not rough the overall look of the block is grim, grubby, ugly and to make matters worse, some of the residents don't really care, they don't dispose of their rubbish properly, they fly-tip, they throw rubbish, cigarets butts and even liquids in the communal areas and in the lift. It is embarrassing inviting people to come and visit.

Inside my home I am doing the best I can to make it look nice and cozy. I don't buy expensive stuff and get a lot from freecycle, olio, charity shops, etc and I am happy with the results I am achieving so far, however the kitchen and bathroom's floor (vinyl) needs changing and the walls need painting. I am terrible at DIY so if I attempt I know it will end up looking worse and I don't have anyone to help me.

Apparently the council will be replacing all the windows soon (they are old and rusty) so I am positive that with the kitchen and bathroom touch up, my flat will look good at least on the inside. And will be more appealing to exchange when I find what I am ready to move again in a few years time.

But is it worth the debt / investment? 

HampshireH

If you intend to stay then yes absolutely. Make it your home.

Ectophile

Only if you're 100% certain that you can keep up the payments.  The last thing you need is a shiny refurbished flat, and debt collectors phoning you constantly.

TELLIT01

I wouldn't go into debt for that purpose.  Get some quotes and then save until you can afford to pay for all, or at least a major part of it.

HampshireH

HampshireH said:

If you intend to stay then yes absolutely. Make it your home.

Note - I agree with others you need to be able to afford repayments but if it is genuinely painting and vinyls then this can be done in an affordable way.

Find a good tradesperson who is honest and reliable. You can specify your paint, flooring etc. What I would say is most tradespeople won't offer a payment plan so if you are having to borrow make sure you are looking and no interest or low interest.

But as I said only if you are staying.

I've always been one to save and buy. But in the last few years we have had to buy then pay. As long as you are atrict with your budget and payment plan you should be fine

coconutcurls

I have no experience with debt, loans, credit card and dealing with tradespeople beyond asking them to put shelves up on the wall, that is why it is so overwhelming for me and I know I have to think it through slowly until I am ready.

I understand the idea of saving and then buying, that is how I lived my whole life however now I wonder if I should take more risk.

It seems crazy to spend money changing the floors if I know I will be moving again eventually, however from an exchange point of view, since the outside is nasty, making the inside the best a I can increases my chances to find a better place for me to move to in the future. I am surrounded by great schools, a lovely little high street, and amazing green spaces so my flat could be ideal for a small family with little children. I just feel the urgency to be ready for when the opportunity arises, exchanging is not easy and the areas I am looking into going to are better in terms of amenities and transport links, so I will have to offer good value in order to be lucky enough to find someone to want my flat.

theoretica

I would be tempted to suggest delaying until the windows are done - they might make a mess, or never get round to it...

Also, you do have someone to help you - a teenage daughter.  She presumably lacks experience, but thinking the matter through together and researching into possibilities would be educational!

comeandgo

I would wait for  a while, I think if someone is wanting an exchange the flooring of the kitchen and bathroom would not be the deal clincher.  If it would make you happier in your new home then try and save some money and look on Facebook at your local sale or free sites.  Your bathroom would probably be small enough to get some cut offs cheap.  

How able is your daughter?  Could she help with the painting?  Look on you tube for advice on how to do things.  

Grenage

I wouldn't get into any debt unless it produced greater financial returns in the long run.

Save your money and then make improvements.

plumb1_2

In one word NO, 

coconutcurls

Okay.

So my kitchen and bathroom are very small and I decided to cover the floor with rugs and mats at the places that really annoy me and then save money to paint the walls myself or even find a tradesperson who can do it for me charging a reasonable price. It does not need to be someone super experiente since it seems like an easy job. 

I am glad I asked;)

Thanks everyone.