Buying a previously inhabited home comes with clear benefits. The most obvious is price: used properties tend to be more affordable than new builds. Yet a tempting sticker price often hides the work required to bring the house up to living standards. Before committing, it’s essential to assess whether a remodel will create real value for the people who will live there. In short, the decision to buy and renovate a used home hinges on a careful balance between cost and long-term suitability.
At first glance, easy updates like repainting walls or replacing flooring are straightforward. But initial impressions can veil bigger needs: the kitchen and bathrooms may require modernization, and the unseen issues—electrical systems and plumbing—carry the greatest risk and uncertainty. Equally important are measures that boost energy efficiency, such as improved insulation and a modern climate control system. These improvements often determine both comfort and long-term savings.
Energy rehabilitation of homes
In many regions, housing stock remains substantial and energy performance is a growing priority. National housing authorities and professional bodies emphasize that upgrading energy efficiency should be a standard objective for existing homes, not a special project. In addition, recent public funding programs, including substantial recovery plans, are designed to soften upfront costs for owners and co-ops alike. These funds support a range of measures from insulation upgrades to modern heating and cooling systems, with the goal of reducing energy bills and improving living conditions for households.
It is also important to obtain an energy certificate before starting work and another at the project’s completion. Demonstrating energy savings to the competent authorities is often a prerequisite for receiving incentives. An added advantage is that energy refurbishments aren’t limited to owner-occupied homes; rental properties can benefit as well. For communities, participation may translate into tax deductions for individual neighbors based on the shared costs.
Grants and subsidies for housing rehabilitation
Grants designed to support rehabilitation typically do not count toward other tax benefits under different schemes, meaning they are exempt from income tax. If a household runs more than one business activity, they should be organized separately to ensure eligibility for each applicable incentive.
Regarding specific programs, one option focuses on reducing heating and cooling demands by up to 7 percent, with a 20 percent deduction and a yearly cap of 5,000 euros. Another program targets private homes, provided non-renewable energy consumption is cut by 30 percent or an energy class of A or B is achieved. This path offers a 40 percent deduction up to 7,500 euros per year. A third program mirrors these conditions for entire residential buildings, offering a 60 percent deduction with a maximum annual credit of 15,000 euros. These schemes illustrate how retrofit projects can be financially supported while improving energy performance and comfort across dwellings.
For households exploring energy retrofits, it is wise to plan with qualified professionals, gather required documentation, and track energy savings throughout the project. By aligning improvements with available incentives and accurate energy modeling, homeowners and communities can realize meaningful reductions in utility costs and environmental impact. [Citation: National housing and energy efficiency authorities]