As a Main Line Realtor®, I am often asked not just about buying or selling a home, but about the best way to add value to a home. Often, a past client will contact me before a renovation project to ask specific questions such as : “Will a family room addition be something a buyer down the road will pay a lot for?” Or “Do I need a tub on the second floor?” Remodeling magazine’s Cost vs. Value Report is a good resource for the best investments for home projects. And I always tell clients not to renovate to the point that their house is the most expensive one in the neighborhood and to consider what joy they will gain from a particular renovation that might make it worthwhile despite the monetary return. If they have always wanted a back porch, why not add one unless they will be moving in the very near future.
How many times have you driven by streamers flying on a sign that says : “Brand New Construction! Models Open Today!” Of course you want to see the model homes--they are always so beautifully decorated and you can get some great ideas. Plus, it is good to know what the home values are doing in your area. Why not stop in?
Read MoreOlder homes have plenty of charm, but they also have their inconveniences: drafts, slanting floors, closed-in kitchens, and tiny bathrooms. The way we live now is just different. So if you're considering updating an older home to incorporate modern comforts, there's something appealing about just doing a gut renovation and starting with a clean slate.
Read MoreOne happy day your agent emails you that the perfect house has come on and she can get you in to see it that very day. You go, you love, you WANT this house! It is just renovated enough to be move-in but not too much to be out of your price range. Seems to be in good condition—the seller is a fastidious engineer. But your buyer’s agent knows that you don’t want to overpay. Homes recently listed are not likely to go for a huge discount. The sellers want to see what interest they get and will seldom accept an offer much below asking price in the first week or so. How to navigate all of that?
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