by Hal James
Buy a home, improve it and sell it for a nice profit. Heck, it is the American Dream. While the strategy is a good way to make money, this is only true if you do not go crazy with your remodeling and spend far more than you can recover when you sell.
Far too often, homeowners do not consider the importance of a great kitchen area. There are numerous homes on the market right now that include great landscaping, new floors, and an old kitchen. Since buyers want to see an updated kitchen, this is one way to effectively turn them off from your home.
What is a top of the line remodeled kitchen worth when you go to sell your home? Well, that depends on the rest of the home. If you have a million dollar kitchen and a 10 dollar home, you are going to have problems selling for a good price.
If you are going to begin remodeling, make sure to stick with designs and colors that many people will find appealing. While you may think that a lime green kitchen is divine, others will not share this opinion. Try to select neutral tones, classic styles, and clean designs.
As far as changing the actual structure of the home goes, do not expand rooms that don?t make sense. For example, expanding a small bathroom might be a good idea, but adding an oddly shaped addition to the home itself may be a turn off. If you must go through a remodeling stage, be sure to keep it simple.
When remodeling, you will get the most bang for your buck with time tested strategies. Focus on the kitchen and bathroom first unless there is some element in desperate need of help. If they are all good, add a room or buff out the landscaping.
If you really want to avoid making a mistake when remodeling, bring in help. Show your plans to friends and ask them what they think. Actually listen to them! If they think it is a bit too much, then pull back from the abyss and go with something more acceptable.
Do not view your home as a place you live in when remodeling. View it as a product that must be sold for a profit. Do your plans increase the price you can ask for that product? If so and the amount is more than you are spending, you are on the right track.