Whether it's adding another room, renovating your kitchen or remodeling the bathroom, some home improvements can really help add value to your home. And they're a smart idea, since that means a higher net worth for you! Here are three things you should know about making improvements to increase the value of your home: SOME DON'T PAY OFF Not every home improvement really pays off in added value for your home. In general, improvements that most folks don't want or need--such as a second 3-car garage--won't add value to your home. Other expensive items that really won't boost your resale value are a fenced-in yard and a 'specialty' room, like a library with built-in bookshelves. These types of improvements will only appeal to a small population of folks, which means your house will be harder to sell in the future. SOME PAY OFF MORE THAN OTHERS There are plenty of projects, however, that can really pay off, especially if you handle a lot of the work yourself. Kitchen remodels and renovations, bathroom remodels and renovations, a deck or patio addition, and a room addition boost the size or appearance of your home. Updating a kitchen or bathroom, for example, can really attract buyers to your house. If you have the space, you may want to consider converting the master bedroom to a master suite, too. DON'T IMPROVE TOO MUCH One rule of thumb: Your house should never be the biggest or the nicest in the neighborhood. Although you want to keep it up to neighborhood standards--consider adding a bathroom, for example, if every other house in the area has two and yours only has one--you don't want to over-improve your home. In terms of value, the "best" house on the block is always pulled down by the others around it. Likewise, if your home is one of the smaller ones, its value will be pulled up by the better houses in the neighborhood. Here is a list of recommended Home Mortgage Lenders online. It's important to use a reputable lender online to make sure your personal information is secure. Remodeling and improving your home can help your bottom line when it's time to sell your house. Just remember to pick the best projects that add lots of value to your home so you recoup your cost at selling time. |
