I&#x27;m not suggesting flipping a house.<p>Nearly everyone can scrape, clean and paint. Most can install something like laminate flooring, engineered wood, and even tile. Honestly it&#x27;s more about effort than know-how. When it comes to electrical and plumbing, unless you have the skills and tools, hire someone.<p>Plus it feels good to do stuff with your hands now and again.<p>Obviously if your time is worth more money than what you&#x27;d pay a contractor, then get a contractor.<p>This whole thing works because of building equity. Simple example is if you buy a 400k place and in 3-7 years have 150k equity through appreciation and mortgage payments, you can upgrade and with 20% down buy a 750K place.<p>From my experience there&#x27;s only been a few downturns in my lifetime that more time did not wash away. And it&#x27;s not so much taxes as it is other fees with housing.<p>I always wished I&#x27;d bought sooner or upgraded sooner than I have. But I get comfortable.