By Barbara Lehrer
Real Talk
Barbara Lehrer.
Boy, is this a typical question.
My clients are frequently asking me if they should add space and spend major money on their current home or relocate. There are so many variables to this dilemma. If you love your location, your neighbors and the yard, can you make do with a less expensive proposal, such as finishing the attic, the garage or the basement?
I usually look at the amount of space a home has currently and evaluate whether it is cluttered. If it is, I honestly suggest that the family throw out unnecessary stuff and then decide if they can make do with what they have.
It is a large expense to add on so you have to ask yourself: Will I be here more than ten years? Will my children or my parents need space in my home down the line?
These variables often result in moving instead of expanding. A different style home can be much larger. And if the kitchen or baths are dated in your current property, then moving could result in other upgrades already built-in to the new priced home.
You have to love your home and weigh the pros and cons of moving versus renovating. Do you need one more room? Will your neighborhood support a pricey addition? Research about whether you can add on is always the first step. Permits and prices are all part of the decision-making process. Estimates must include all the necessary parts of the change, which could include septic enlarging.
Whatever you decide, always have a complete paper trail from beginning to end. You need to check all the vendor costs in each step of the process and verify their accuracy. When you finally do move, you want to be able to show the new buyer for your home that you put on an addition with great care and efficiency so that you can recover some of your cost.
If you need more information on these issues, email Barbara.Lehrer@cbmoves.com.