Ready to Move? Perhaps You Should Remodel Instead!!

Finding the house of your dreams and putting your stamp on it is wonderful! Each year millions of people find and move into the house of their dreams. The problem with these dream houses is that as our lives continue to grow and expand our houses do not automatically adapt to our ever-changing needs.

Eventually the newlyweds have children, or the kids begin to grow up and all of a sudden your perfect home is not so perfect anymore. Is it time to start looking for a new nest or are you better off remodeling your home to suit your current lifestyle?

Both remodeling and moving require a big investment of your time and your money. Time and money; a rare commodity in today’s world. Before making a decision it is important to weigh all your options and your feelings regarding your current home. If you still love your home but would really like a new updated kitchen or a walk in closet consider remodeling. If all the warm fuzzy feelings about your house have been replaced with total dislike perhaps it is time to start looking. Other avenues to consider are how much you enjoy your neighborhood. How your commute to work would be affected by a move. Also if you have children consider the schools that your children may be attending. Will they have to switch schools and how will this affect them?

If you do decide to move, a good real estate agent will be able to help you figure out how much to sell your existing home for, how much it will cost you to purchase a new home that will meet your current needs, and what it will cost to move. If you decide to move there are numerous low cost home improvements that can be done to help your current home sell more quickly. Remember the kitchen and the bathrooms provide the biggest return on your investment.

If you decide instead to remodel some things to take into consideration. What are the important projects that you want done? Is a general contractor or an architect necessary to these home improvement projects? How much will these projects cost? And finally, what monetary value will these improvements add to your home?

Should you decide to remodel it is really important to have a clear idea of what you want. The last thing you should do is change plans midstream of a job. This is one of the most expensive mistakes a homeowner can make. Once, you know what home improvement projects you want done it is important to speak to reputable contractors and get bids. Three bids from three different contractors is an important safety net for a homeowner.

Whichever decision you choose; moving or remodeling you need to make sure it is the right decision for your family. There are many options available as a homeowner as long as you take your time and research your options feel confident that you will make the right decision for you.

Shannon Shimizu is a small business owner of a contracting referral service called Five Star Consumer Referrals, Inc. In addition to running her business, Shannon is a wife and mother to two young children. For more information on Five Star Consumer Referrals, Inc. please visit www.5starhelps.com.

Ready to Move? Perhaps You Should Remodel Instead!!
Home improvement