Renovating a House

If you can do some of the major work before you move in, it might be easier. Also when planning, always figure that it is going to take longer and cost a little more than you had planned. Be flexible. When you see things you like in a catalog or on line or at a store, take a picture or print a copy with info on where you can buy it and the cost (and the dimensions if possible) That will save you trying to remember where you saw the perfect light fixture or knobs. Good luck on your project! Also take some before and after photos, so you can enjoy how much work you did.

The thing I would do differently would be not have a deadline. So our rent at our apartment and our new mortgage wouldn't over lap we had around 25 days to make the house liveable (it was a party house).
I decided to paint the entire house once color (except the kitchen and bathroom had a different degree of sheen to it). I figured it would be easier to paint room by room, once we had moved in, and I figured out what colors I wanted and what would go with our furniture.
Watch all the prices between your hardware stores. We did 98% of the work ourselves, and now that I look around, it was rewarding. Good luck and have fun! Congrats on the new house! =)

The best reno tips are from a few blogs I read, they have tons of pics and info and renovations they've done.

http://www.brooklynlimestone.com/ this home has been totally gutted, lots of pics on the blog, just have to search for them

http://www.theletteredcottage.net/#uds-search-results

http://www.remodelaholic.com/

http://www.inthefunlane.com/2008/04/our-renovations.html

Always take ONE room at a time. Clear it out if possible and work on it. If it's a kitchen area, that's a bit tricky and can really become a sore spot if not done in a timely manner. We updated a home made in 1960 and just moved out of it last week. My hubby did most all of it. It was tough but loved the results when it was done. Too bad the area got so rough we needed to move after living there for eleven years.
Take pictures of everything and compare them after wards. It's hard work and cost some money but it's really cool to have a home that you've invested in.
Best Regards,
C.