| "> | | | | Size (and Square Footage) Matters in Home Additions! |
| Home Additions come in all sizes and shapes. | | | | So, should you add to the main living areas of your |
| Garages, wine cellars, bathrooms, guest rooms, | | | | home? Well, that depends. Most of the time it's a |
| laundries and many other additions are popular home | | | | good thing to add square footage to your home |
| improvements. You can go up (a second floor), down | | | | even if it does not add rooms. And, if it will add to |
| (in the basement), or out (adding more foundation). | | | | your own enjoyment of the home for years to |
| But what if your addition is just to increase the size | | | | come, then it's probably a good idea. |
| of a room or two without adding additional rooms? Is | | | | Just remember a few important details before you |
| that cost justified? Will it add market value to your | | | | commit. |
| home? | | | | · Your home improvement shouldn't cause |
| Adding Foundation & Roof | | | | your home to exceed the size of the other homes in |
| A home addition generally requires adding to the | | | | the neighborhood. |
| foundation and roof. When you do this, you're | | | | · Adding foundation and roof structure will |
| making a major and often costly change. It's | | | | cost more than expanding within the home's existing |
| different than a basic house remodel or minor home | | | | structure. |
| improvement that stays within the boundaries of | | | | · An architect or designer may be required |
| your existing home. For this reason alone, you should | | | | so that the addition flows nicely with the rest of the |
| give it significant thought. | | | | home. |
| How Does a Remodel or Home Addition Add Market | | | | · Get an appraisal before you begin to get a |
| Value? | | | | sense of how much market value your addition will |
| A home's value is relative. The thing to remember is | | | | create. |
| that it basically has very little or nothing to do with | | | | It's Your Home, Isn't It? |
| the cost of building it. That also means it has almost | | | | Ultimately, we're talking about your home and your |
| nothing to do with the cost to remodel. It's kind of | | | | enjoyment. Expanding your main living areas can add |
| crazy, but true. | | | | significantly to your lifestyle. The bottom line here is |
| In my experience over many years in the home | | | | to try to achieve a balance between what you really |
| business and working with real estate and appraisers, | | | | want, the cost to achieve it, and the market value |
| I've learned that a home's market value is | | | | you create while doing so. |
| determined by what others are willing to pay to own | | | | Take your time before plunging in. These ideas will |
| it. Period. This can seem cruel or unfair but "market | | | | give a lot to think about and, I hope, kick-start your |
| value" is determined by others and doesn't | | | | own research. Good luck! |
| necessarily correspond to costs or your desires. | | | | |