Tag Archives: remodeling

Beware of Value-Killing Home Renovations

Posted on May 25, 2012 | Leave a comment

That old adage should be a warning for homeowners. What you do to a home — in terms of renovations, furnishings and additions — is all well and good while you sleep under its roof. But if you plan to sell, your efforts could diminish rather than boost its selling price.

Contact the appraisers at www.scappraisals.com for your value questions. Remember appraisers determine value and real estate agents sell homes.

A miniature backyard skate park, indoor basketball court or basement lounge complete with a stripper pole and smoke machine are the sorts of extravagances that may not directly push down your home value, but could nevertheless drive away prospective buyers or provide room for them to haggle down the price.

Disclaimer: for information and entertainment purposes only

Like the Location but not the House – Rebuild vs. Renovate

Posted on May 5, 2012 | Leave a comment

BEFORE

Buying a property is an act of compromise. You might like the house but not the location; the living area might be lovely but it faces the wrong way; the first two bedrooms might be big but the third is a study nook. Those were the issues that came up again and again when Hilda and David Drake were looking for a new house.

Before doing any major project contact the appraisers at www.scappraisals.com to discuss your value issues.

AFTER

The couple, and two grown-up children, started looking for a house with three equal-size bedrooms, was close to a train station and had enough room for entertaining. They failed.

What they did find, however, was that they didn’t have to compromise after all – if you build new, you get exactly what you want. So, for those who don’t want to compromise, here is how they did it, step by step.

Step 1: Find a good spot

After looking for six months, the couple came across a three-bedroom brick bungalow and picked it up for $500,750. Although it had charm, the property was in a very shabby condition.

Hilda says: ”It was very rundown, the ceiling was falling apart and the roof needed to be redone. It would have cost $20,000 to fix just that.

Disclaimer: for information and entertainment purposes only

Replacing a bathtub with a luxury walk-in shower; Will it Add Value?

Posted on April 5, 2012 | Leave a comment

A large walk-in shower could be a selling feature, but the answer really depends on your home’s size and the existing features.

“I see people wrestle with this question regularly,” said Michael Shapot, a senior vice president with the New York office of Keller Williams Realty. “The industry trend is to have walk-in spa showers.” However, he said, “There are people out there who need bathtubs.”

Contact the appraisers at www.scappraisals.com for you renovations value questions.

If you plan on renovating only one bathroom, and there is at least one bathtub somewhere else in the home, then “go for it,” Mr. Shapot said. But if you’re contemplating replacing your only tub, you should carefully consider the types of buyers who might be interested in your property.

Disclaimer: for information and entertainment purposes only

Tag Archives: remodeling

Beware of Value-Killing Home Renovations

Like the Location but not the House – Rebuild vs. Renovate

Replacing a bathtub with a luxury walk-in shower; Will it Add Value?

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