uneven temperatures in your home

Buying a home that has a low price tag because it wasn't taken care of can be a great way to get a good deal on a home, but if the house wasn't lived in for a long time and the appliances are old, you'll want to do an overhaul. Here are some of the things to consider doing, even if you are on a tight budget and you can't replace everything.

New Furnace and Clean the Ducts

The house needs to have a reliable heating system and clean ducts. The air conditioning is something that you can put in a later time if you can't afford it. You want to find a highly efficient furnace that is sized perfectly for the home, and then have it installed. Ask the heating installation company for a unit that is Energy Star approved.

Cleaning the ducts is something that should also be done. There could be a lot of buildup of dust, mildew, and even insect feces. You don't want to be breathing these things in as air flows through the ducts once the new heater is installed.

Kitchen Package

Find a wholesale kitchen appliance retailer. You want to find a company that sells these appliances at a wholesale price in a package, so that you can get all of the new kitchen appliances you want at a low price. You also want to get these appliances with efficiency in mind, so you are getting energy- and cost-efficient units.

Hot Water Tank

If the hot water tank still works and you aren't ready to spend the money to have it replaced, you should at least have the professionals flush the water out and have it cleaned. This way you know that whatever buildup, sediment, and dirty water was lingering inside the tank will be gone.

If you know that the house was abandoned for a long time and that it wasn't taken care of, you should get rid of the old appliances. You don't know what type of problems the previous owner could have had with the appliances. The refrigerator could have had raw meat in it for weeks after the homeowners left, or there could have been dead rodents in the ducts. Take the time to find the appliances that you can afford and spend what you are able to, and do the appliance replacement before you move in after you purchase the property.