Everyone’s least favorite couple on House Hunters is the one who refuses to consider making an offer on a house in Calgary, AB or elsewhere in Canada that has dated kitchen wallpaper. How many of us have yelled at our TV screens: “You can fix that!”

On the other hand, we’re equally annoyed by the realtor who, at every turn, advises clients that they can replace and repair big problems, as if money is no object.

There’s a middle ground and you’re just the house-hunter to strike it. You’ll pay more for a house in Calgary that’s been remodeled for sale. Learning to house-hunt with an eye for a home’s potential could get you an affordable house in Calgary that needs only a few cosmetic changes.

Here are six tips on how to house-hunt with an eye for potential:

1. Clear out the mental cobwebs before you step foot in a single house
   Too many house-hunting excursions turn us into Negative Nellys. We walk through every front door looking for problems and searching for the answer to the question, “What’s wrong with this one?” Stay positive and optimistic, and think of each house you view as potentially the one for you.
   Don’t let the negatives overwhelm you. Just because you hate wallpaper, doesn’t mean all wallpaper is horrible. And just because you love hardwood floors, doesn’t mean all carpet and tile are deal-breakers. You’re getting a new house, so don’t try to make it exactly like you’re old one. Stay open-minded and remember: A lot of decorating dislikes are easily fixed.
2. Don’t allow yourself to be swayed by instant curb appeal
   I firmly believe that when you first walk into a house in Calgary, if you fall in love with it, you’ll find an excuse for every fault. And if you instantly hate it – for whatever reason – you’ll defend your stand and won’t allow anyone to talk you into it.
   Seeing a house’s potential in your Calgary house-hunt means keeping an open mind. Don’t take a firm stance for or against a house until you’ve been through it all.  Being open to any and all possibilities will help you to better see the potential in a house.
3. Become a cost expert
   Know how much it costs to make the cosmetic changes you may have to make. How much will it cost to repaint the entire interior of the house? If all kitchen appliances had to be replaced, what would you choose and how much would it set you back? What’s a new deck cost? Basement waterproofing? Fireplace repair?
   Once you’re equipped with cost estimates, you can quickly assess whether the house can be fixed up affordable or whether it’s a money pit.
4. Make potential part of your house-by-house checklist
   As you tour a house, don’t just jot down negatives and positives. List negatives that can easily be dealt with (Example: All chandeliers must be replaced), negatives that can be fixed over time with some effort (Example: No bedroom ceiling lights – Get them installed), and negatives that you’d have to live with, short of a major renovation (Example: Outdated and faulty electric system).Make your notes reflect potential renovations, so the house you buy can seamlessly move into the home renovation planning stage.
5. Can’t picture your improvements in a home? There’s an app for that!
   Unless you’re a professional interior designer, you might have a tough time picturing your furniture and decor in a house. The hideous hot pink bedroom could be the perfect office with a neutral paint and new window treatments. The dreary pine paneling in the family room, if painted ecru, would brighten up considerably. But how can you be sure? By going to the experts, of course. There are a number of apps and websites that allow you to get a clear picture of your design choices. Apps like Home Design 3D and Magicplan allow you to hang virtual wallpaper, choose flooring and place furniture in floor plans that you re-create.
6. Look for old photos
   Still having trouble picturing a house’s potential? Do an Internet search for past real estate listings for the address to get a feel for how different owners treated the house with furniture placement, room usage, and color and decor choices. Your house-to-be might have had several past owners and may have even been staged to sell.

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Diane Laney Fitzpatrick is a writer, blogger and author of “Home Sweet Homes: How Bundt Cakes, Bubble Wrap, and My Accent Helped Me Survive Nine Moves.” She writes about moving and other adventures in coping at www.DianeLaneyFitzpatrick.com.

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