SHOULD I REMODEL MY HOUSE OR JUST MOVE?

Your house isn’t quite working anymore.

Maybe the kitchen feels dated. You need another bedroom. You want a bigger primary bathroom. The backyard isn’t what you want. Or you’ve started looking at newer homes and suddenly your perfectly fine house doesn’t feel quite so perfect.

Then comes the question:

Should we remodel this house or just move?

Before you start knocking down walls, I think there’s a better question:

Can remodeling actually fix what you don’t like about your house?

START WITH WHAT YOU CAN’T CHANGE

Paint is easy.

Countertops can be replaced.

Lighting, flooring and cabinets can all be changed.

But some things are much harder, or impossible, to fix.

You can’t remodel your commute.

You can’t move your lot to another part of the neighborhood.

You probably can’t turn a west-facing backyard into an east-facing one.

You can’t make your community suddenly have the amenities you wish it had.

And adding significant square footage may be technically possible but financially questionable.

Before deciding to remodel, separate your list into two columns:

Things we can change.

Things we can’t.

That usually makes the conversation much clearer.

DON’T ASSUME REMODELING IS THE CHEAPER OPTION

It’s easy to say, “We’ll just put $75,000 into this house.”

Then $75,000 becomes $100,000.

And suddenly you’re standing in a partially demolished kitchen wondering how you got here.

Before starting a major renovation, find out what your current home is worth as-is, what it might realistically be worth after the improvements and what homes that already have the features you want are selling for.

You don’t need to remodel strictly for resale value. You’re allowed to spend money simply because you’ll enjoy your home more.

But you should know the numbers before you make the decision.

BE CAREFUL ABOUT REMODELING FOR THE NEXT BUYER

One mistake I see homeowners make is trying to predict exactly what a future buyer will want.

You spend money replacing perfectly functional finishes with what you think buyers will love.

Then your eventual buyer walks in and says:

“I’d change that.”

If you’re remodeling because you’re staying, make choices you enjoy.

If you’re remodeling primarily because you’re planning to sell, that’s a different conversation.

Sometimes fresh paint, updated lighting, landscaping and a few strategic cosmetic changes make more financial sense than a major renovation.

COMPARE THE REAL COST OF MOVING

Moving isn’t free either.

There are selling costs, moving expenses, financing costs and potentially a higher monthly payment.

That’s why “move or remodel” isn’t a question I can answer by looking at Zillow for five minutes.

We need to compare:

What your house is worth today.

What you’d realistically spend remodeling it.

What your house might be worth afterward.

What the house you actually want would cost.

What your new monthly housing expense would look like.

And most importantly, what each option gives you.

SOMETIMES THE REMODEL WINS

If you love your neighborhood, your lot, your neighbors and your location, and the things bothering you can realistically be changed, remodeling may make perfect sense.

Especially if you’re planning to stay long enough to enjoy what you’re creating.

SOMETIMES MOVING WINS

If your wish list starts sounding like this:

“I want a different neighborhood, a bigger lot, a community pool, a three-car garage, a shorter commute and a north-facing backyard…”

We may have moved beyond remodeling.

At that point, it may be worth seeing what your current equity could do for you somewhere else.

YOU DON’T HAVE TO DECIDE BEFORE YOU START LOOKING

You don’t have to decide, “We’re selling,” before you explore the alternative.

Let’s figure out what your current home could sell for.

Then let’s see what you could buy.

Compare that with the cost and disruption of remodeling.

You may decide to move.

You may decide to remodel.

You may look at everything and realize your current house is actually pretty darn good.

All three are perfectly good outcomes.

THINKING ABOUT REMODELING OR MOVING?

If you’re in Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe, Queen Creek, Ahwatukee or San Tan Valley and you’re trying to decide whether to renovate your current home or make a move, I’m happy to help you compare the options.

I’m not going to tell you to sell your house simply because I’m a REALTOR®.

Let’s figure out which choice actually makes sense for you.

Jill Hamilton, REALTOR® | West USA Realty
Let me do the work for you.