It's been a year

So, for you first time people, I bought a flip house that used to be a rental built in the 50's. It's been a year and this is what I learned.

A disaster of some type will probably happen. Have at least 10 grand available or the means to get that. (I had a tree fall on someone else's property and pull the lines out of my house. Repairs included mandatory upgrades to current code for repair. $14,000.

HVAC has problems, I have a leak, found out a year later, $1000 to get it good for summer, $5000 later I must save for.

They paint over everything to make it look nice, not necessarily the right paint, I have to sand and repaint my bathroom ceiling to delete mold spots. $80 (doing it myself)

Weird smells, interesting plumbing choices. Had a random break, know your water cut off, know how to do small pvc repairs. May need a new pressure regulator.

Beyond that, I actually love the place! These are surprises I got in the first year and it's old, so I know there will be more but at this point I have scoured the place.

The point is to make it yours, the bones are solid, the area is fine, the price was right, and the land is cool.

My point here is to tell you about some of the stuff you can run in to. I suggest utilizing friends with skills and hiring locally depending on reviews to get people close that can get to know your house. Also, don't be afraid to make repairs and do things yourself with proper research as long as it's not over your head. Not trying to dissuade, but you may run into things like this with an old house so be prepared but that's why it's cheaper. Make it yours.