A fixer-upper may have made sense to you if you might have wanted to get a new house or one with a few issues to resolve, to get a bigger home and not move shortly. There is no problem with that. by now, you should have a proper understanding of the process and knowledge that it is going to be a work in progress that could take months or even years to get to the needed standards. Some parts of your home may be ready to occupy almost instantly while others may need some repairs and decorations to appear more presentable. The ideas below give hints and tips of what to focus on during renovations and decorations.
You should give the required attention to windows and treatments. The condition of the interior window sills, window panes and the window frame of an older home may be in a poor state. Your windows can be used as access points into your home, and this makes them security concerns too. The window frames are the first parts that show signs of wear. They are easy to fix by applying some caulking in the right parts to reseal them. You should remove any rotten wood, clean the area and replace it if at all there is any. Replace broken window panes both for aesthetic reasons and security reasons. Installing window shutters is also a good investment since they fit the interior perfectly and provide a more pleasant appearance and even a guide to plantation shutters is important and reliable. They also provide security to anything going on inside the house.
It is also possible that the doors, both front, and rear may be old. The best way to maintain the doors is by having them sanded down, applying a protective layer, refinished and then painted. This process will leave your wooden doors looking close to new. Replacing the letterbox, door knocker or other visual details can bring the focus to those items if the doors are a bit older. The glass parts should also be put into account due to the security concerns they come with. The door locks are another part that cannot be ignored. it is easy to pop open locks from some brands using a small metal object. The space between the door frame and the door should be reduced since it can be used to force the door open by placing a foreign object through it. You can have a deadbolt for the primary lock and a second one that is pick resistant.
An older property also comes with damp and moisture concerns. It may damage the interior including any insulation or cladding foam since it can penetrate the walls. If need be, you can get professional help, but you can also sort the issue by using a dehumidifier.