{"id":658,"date":"2023-05-08T12:31:15","date_gmt":"2023-05-08T17:31:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.move-tastic.com\/blog\/?p=658"},"modified":"2024-08-22T08:27:20","modified_gmt":"2024-08-22T13:27:20","slug":"should-i-move-into-an-unfinished-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.move-tastic.com\/blog\/should-i-move-into-an-unfinished-home\/","title":{"rendered":"Should I Move Into an Unfinished Home?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

by Rose Morrison<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rose is the managing editor of Renovated<\/a>, a home living site where she strives to help people live their best DIY lives.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You found the perfect house with enough space to accommodate your family, meets all your needs and is in an ideal location. There\u2019s just one issue \u2014 it isn\u2019t finished.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many people might hesitate to move into an unfinished home \u2014 settling in will take longer as you work on making the house your own. Although the transition is more complicated than moving into a newly renovated home, the rewards could outweigh the risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not everyone can take on the work, costs or arrangements associated with living in a house as construction is underway. That\u2019s why you must research and consider everything before buying an unfinished home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Necessary Inconvenience<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

American homebuyers can attest to the wild ride they endured in the housing market throughout the last two to three years. They\u2019ve demonstrated greater care in spending their money amid higher mortgage rates and rising inflation costs. Low inventory, high demand and more projects left abandoned have buyers making decisions they didn\u2019t think they would make \u2014 for example, purchasing and moving into an unfinished home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the past, homeowners would finish renovations or simple DIY projects before relocating. They would gut their kitchens, spend $500 to $1,000 to remove walls<\/a>, create an open floor plan and upgrade appliances to meet their needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Experts often recommend scheduling the closing date on a different day<\/a> than the move-in day to make home improvements, hire cleaning crews and better coordinate your transition. However, the lagging supply chain and delayed construction prompt homeowners to move into \u2014 or feel forced to reluctantly close on<\/a> \u2014 their new homes before projects are completed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While inconvenient, there are some benefits to living in an unfinished house. However, weighing the advantages and disadvantages of moving in early is essential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Risks and Rewards of Living in an Unfinished Home<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Younger generations will tell you that homeownership is a far-reaching dream they hope to attain someday. In 2018, only 64.2% of Americans owned<\/a> a house. While many might see moving into an unfinished home as a way around the skyrocketing home prices, it could present several challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Risks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Construction injuries from slips and falls occur at a rate of 31.4 for every 10,000 construction workers<\/a>. Imagine the risks for someone without the proper training and safety expertise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Living in an unfinished home could prove dangerous for you and your household. For instance, wearing the wrong shoes may lead to shattered phalanges in your foot<\/a> if even a 3-pound weight falls. Additionally, you\u2019ll need to account for potential toxins, open electrical wires, or a lack of functioning appliances and fixtures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moving into an unfinished home could also be inconvenient if you work remotely or have young children. A renovation zone often comes with dust, loud noise and workers encroaching on your privacy. You may deal with these grievances for a while, depending on how far into the project you are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Rewards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Conversely, buyers often discover a few advantages of living in their unfinished homes, including the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n