Seeing Real Potential of fixer-uppers
Sarah Richardson launches new series on HGTV
From leading her own design firm to spearheading real-life renovations showcased on the small screen, Sarah Richardson has countless creative projects to her credit. With her new TV series, she’s adding househunting and property purchases to the mix.
On Real Potential, now airing on HGTV, Richardson helps prospective buyers scout out a trio of homes and focus on a stumbling block in each property.
Once they’ve settled on one, she encourages them to “see past the ugly” as they overhaul the disaster room in the new dwelling.
Richardson says they “cast the net pretty wide” with the 14 homes featured in the debut season.
Working mostly with firsttime homebuyers, rooms were renovated in properties spanning from several decades to more than a century old, encompassing everything from split-level bungalows to Victorian homes.
In two back-to-back episodes, Richardson meets Ayesha and Michael, a couple on a fruitless three-year search to find a home. Michael is keen on finding a house with character that the pair can put their stamp on, while Ayesha envisions a move-in ready property.
Richardson says the “opposites attract” dynamic is a familiar scenario when it comes to the house hunt.
“I find that, usually in a couple, somebody is more keen to take on more debt and more challenge and a bigger project,” the affable home expert and host says in an interview at her design firm.
Well before signing on the dotted line to purchase a property, would-be buyers should look at the home’s overall condition to determine if it’s structurally sound and in good overall shape before giving thought to sprucing up the interior.
“What you don’t want to buy is the money pit,” she says.
For individuals who struggle to see potential in lessthan-stellar rooms, Richardson encourages them to look online for homes with similar features and to peruse design websites.
“If you can focus on looking for ideas and inspiration that (are) achievable for you from something’s that’s already done, that’s how you can better inform yourself as a novice of what’s achievable.”
While some may prefer to buy a turnkey home, Richardson says the more that’s paid upfront for the property, the less is left in the budget for renovations, decor or other expenses.
Buyers need to be able to envision that an ugly space can be turned into something great — and within budget.
“I think that if you walk in and you love it and that house has a gourmet kitchen, chances are you’re paying not only for that renovation, but you’re also paying a premium for the time that the previous owners spent renovating that kitchen, and for the fact that there’s a convenience factor that that kitchen is done.
“I would say to you: ‘You would be better off to buy the house that needs the renovation, get the kitchen you really want, do it yourself.
“It’s a bit of sweat equity, bit of mess, bit of chaos, but you’ll end up being invested for less and get more of what you want.’”
While some may be reticent to discuss money matters, Richardson says it’s important to embrace and set a budget. Her approach to both design and renovation is to try to save at every stage of the process.
“If all you have in total is $20,000, then I think you should try and do a $14,000 renovation, because something is always going to come up,” she says.
“There will always be unexpected costs, and there’s something that you haven’t thought about.”