Remodeling is both exciting and scary. You’re ready for change, but you don’t want to hurt your home’s value. If you ever choose to sell, you don’t want to get hung up on a bad remodel.
Most homeowners assume all remodels and upgrades add significant value to the home, but it’s not always the case. Your remodel has the potential to add value to your home, but it’s also very easy for it to go the other way. Knowing how your remodel can make or break the value of your home isn’t just interesting information, it’s imperative.
Kitchen Remodel
The common misconception is any kitchen remodel will add value to the home. While most buyers want a beautifully updated kitchen, it’s still important that it match the aesthetics of the house. For example, a modern, contemporary beach home in Laguna Beach with an upgraded kitchen that’s sleek and trendy will add significant value to the home.
A home located in historic Old Towne Orange will want for a classically styled kitchen. Kitchens can always be made to match the theme of the house. Going outside the style of the rest of the house is a quick way to ensure your kitchen remodel detracts from the home rather than adds value.
Size Remodels
More bedrooms usually means more money. An office is also a great way to add some value to a home. But, again, some remodels detract from the overall value of a home if you’re not careful. For instance, enlarging a small master bedroom to create a beautiful master suite is a great idea, but not if it means tearing down walls and taking over smaller bedrooms.
Taking a four-bedroom house with four small rooms and creating a two-bedroom house with a large master bathroom and walk-in closet may not add value, especially in a family neighborhood. Buyers may want a big, fancy master suite, but they will likely pass on it if they need more bedrooms. Don’t go overboard on one piece of the home while neglecting the rest.
Outdoor Living
Outdoor living is big everywhere you go, but it can be overdone. Adding too much landscaping and too many details might cost more than the return they provide. Even pools can be a risky upgrade these days with drought regulations plaguing California. Not to mention the added maintenance they add to a home.
Before you make any big remodeling decisions, consult your real estate agent. Don’t have one on hand? Reach out to a local First Team Real Estate agent to get to know what sells best in your area. With over 1,600 Southern California experts, we’ve got a specialist in your neighborhood.
Email us at clientservices@firstteam.com
Call us at 888-870-1142
This guest post is written by Brooke Chaplan, a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most her time hiking, biking and gardening. Brooke is available via Twitter @BrookeChaplan. Informational credit to Leading Edge Real Estate.
