A Little Renovation Can Go a Long Way

The Top Reasons to Renovate

• To increase your comfort or enjoyment of the home.

Your own comfort and enjoyment are important factors that shouldn’t be overlooked when you are debating a renovation. If you renovate only based on how the project will affect the future sales price of your home, you may end up living in a house that doesn’t feel quite like your home. Your comfort and enjoyment are just as important as what  will net the biggest return when you eventually sell.

• To improve the home’s value.

Planning to sell your home in the near future? You may want to renovate some or all of it with an eye toward getting the best return on your investment once your house goes on the market. Some projects that have the best return are opening up the main living space, replacing the front door, and updating the kitchen or bathroom.

• To upgrade the home’s function.

Perhaps you need a second bathroom to preserve your sanity in a house full of children. Maybe your husband craves a man cave, or your wife wants a craft room.  If you don't already have a deck or patio, maybe you would like one for outdoor entertaining.  Remodeling so that a home functions better for those who live there is a great idea, as long as the upgrades don’t hurt the home’s value.

• To update the home’s style.

An older home with dated decor can makes it less attractive to you and to eventual buyers. Updating your home’s style can be based on your own desire for improvement or as a way to prepare a house for sale.

• To prepare the house for sale.

When selling is the main goal,  renovation choices should reflect what is most likely to help with the sale. Using neutral colors, completing upgrades that add value, and fixing any cosmetic or functional problems will help prepare your house for sale and ensure that you get top dollar.